Can we talk?  

There is plenty of hot and heavy debate and venting going on concerning issues such as gender identity and its many related issues, prayer in school, abortion, etc.  That’s not even considering the political falderal that seems to have been going on forever.

There’s a wide diversity of opinion on these and many other issues. Public policy in these areas in North America often opposes what orthodox, historical, evangelical Christianity holds as truth.

It shouldn’t surprise us when our beliefs clash with the world’s. When that happens, we need to remember that the world isn’t Christian, so we shouldn’t expect them to act as if they were. That doesn’t mean it won’t break our hearts, but it shouldn’t be a big surprise. Even as believers, we often behave in ways that contradict our beliefs.

The whole concept of “Judeo-Christian values,” which seems to be increasingly slipping from the system, was based on a misunderstanding.

Jesus didn’t come to change our value system. That truth is so important and overlooked it is worth repeating. “Jesus didn’t come to change our value system.” He came to change our hearts and make us pure and holy. The result of that heart change is the change in our value systems. It’s a consequence, not the goal.

It’s a mistake to expect those with unredeemed hearts to hold the same values as a believer.

The time for us to worry is not when we’re at odds with the culture around us. The time for us to worry is when we’re in sync with the culture. Sometimes, that happens because there are some universal truths that even the world gets right now and then. More often, it’s because somewhere along the line, we’ve compromised our own beliefs.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-19 

We belong to the kingdom of Light. The world is under the authority of the Prince of Darkness. The two are seldom going to agree. That should neither surprise nor discourage us. The victory is ours, even when we feel like we’re losing a battle.

Knowing the truth doesn’t give us the right to be unloving or bigoted. We hold fast to that truth, but we speak the truth in love.

Part of having a transformed heart is learning to love others. We need to practice grace, mercy, and forgiveness. We set aside our judgmental natures. We share the love of Jesus and let the Spirit transform the hearts and values of others. Only God can do that.

Until next time, take heart … I’ve read the book.  We win.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

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(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

I had been fishing all day, and the weather was hot. I was getting thirsty, but I knew of a hidden gem nearby.

The walk into the spring was about a mile. The  water came from deep underground and was always cold, refreshing, and safe to drink. It was worth the hike.

This time, things were different. An enterprising beaver had built a dam, and the spring was now underwater behind the dam. So much for cold. So much for refreshing. So much for safe to drink. 

Where there have been beavers around, the water is likely contaminated with Giardiasis (or beaver fever as it’s called in these parts). Beaver fever will leave you with a great deal of ugly abdominal distress for weeks and is highly contagious. It’s not the sort of thing you want to take a chance with.

The promise of the refreshing water couldn’t be delivered on.

Something similar happens with false teachers.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

2 Peter 2:1-3 NIV

They promise what they can’t deliver. They promise living water, but provide empty wells. They promise freedom, but deliver bondage. They promise salvation but deliver damnation.

These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:17-19

How do we know which teachings are false? By knowing what we believe and why we believe it. 

We discern it through diligent study of the Word, by examining Bible passages in context and in comparison to the Word as a whole, and by learning some solid Christian doctrine.

If you don’t know what you believe and why you believe it, then you may find yourself standing at the foot of a spoiled spring. You could be seeking living water but end up perishing of thirst instead.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.