“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is no gospel at all.” Galatians 1:6 (NIV84)
My older sister has an innate ability to discern distress in my voice. Many years ago, our first-born son, Joseph, was admitted to the hospital for an unknown virus; he was only 10 weeks old! I called my sister to let her know. “What’s wrong?” came her instant and concerned response to my weak greeting. She had me. I burst into tears as the stress and torment of the last few hours overwhelmed me. My sister knew me too well — I couldn’t put up a front. Something was wrong and she discerned it immediately.
In the same way, you and I can discern Truth from error almost instantly. I mentioned the key to this ability in a recent teaching. Do we need to study every erroneous religion in depth? No! Just get to know the Truth — and know it well. Jesus told us what Truth is. It’s found in God’s Word (John 17:17). The more you know the Truth, the more confident you will be in perceiving the lies.
Years ago, I was asked by two members of another religion, how I could reject their beliefs when I hadn’t even read all of their key publications? I pulled out a fake $10 bill (I keep in my wallet) and asked them if they thought they could spend my bogus bucks at a local store. “Of course not,” they exclaimed. “It’s obviously not real.” I explained to them that in the same way, I could not accept their religion as “truth” because (measured against the Bible), what they offered me was a counterfeit. Though they claimed to believe the Bible, their fundamental beliefs were “obviously not real.”
If someone approaches you, claiming to have truth, just compare it to the “original”. Then, gently but confidently, explain that you don’t accept any counterfeits. (By the way, our Joseph ended up getting all better)!
Proclaiming the Truth,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor