Peter's Words ... Our World (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-3

I read these words, and it’s as though Peter had a view into our world today. False prophets and teachers introducing “destructive heresies.” Many who call themselves Christians say that Jesus is just one way (of many) to heaven. Or that the Bible was inspired by God, yes, but with so many copies and translations, it’s certainly not infallible; therefore, you can pick and choose what you want to believe.

Then there are the “religions” who deny Christ as Messiah. He was merely a good man or a wise teacher. But not the Savior. And if Jesus isn’t Savior and if the Bible is open for interpretation, then anything goes. And again, even those who call them Christians see nothing wrong with “sensual” behavior that goes against the Bible because the “truth [is] maligned.”

Finally, so many people are being “exploited with false words.” They’re asked to give to a cause or invest in a plan … and find out later they’ve been scammed. Church leaders live in mansions and drive Mercedes when their congregants are still striving for “prosperity.”

It can be quite painful to watch how God’s word is being relegated to just a nice book with some good sayings, and our Savior is just a good man. But we know that God will judge those who have willfully skewed His word. And we pray that those who are sincerely seeking the one true God will find Him, that they will look beyond the misguided and downright liars and find truth. Real truth. 

The Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13)

Today’s scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13

What do you believe about the Bible? Is it just a book with a lot of stories? Or a book with some good advice, but no more important than any other book? Or a book with some truth, some words to live by, but with a lot of irrelevancy?

Or do you believe it to be the inspired, inerrant word of God?

I guess my thought is either you believe the Bible to be God’s word or you don’t. To take bits and pieces and reject the rest seems so odd to me. If God is the sovereign of all creation, then He certainly worked through the pens of men to create a written documentation for us to know more of whom He is.

God breathed His truth through the writers, and He breathed His truth through those who gathered the books into what we now know as the Holy Bible.

Many people don’t necessarily have a problem with the idea of God’s inspiration of the Bible, but the idea of inerrancy doesn’t sit well … throughout the ages and with all the translations, there must be errors, they say. Inerrancy defined means there were no errors in the original manuscripts. And yes, as fallible man copied the original manuscripts, some fractional errors may have occurred.

But again, if God is sovereign, if He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, then don’t you think He guided the pens of the scribes? And don’t you think that if any error entered a copy, it was so minor so as not to make any real difference in His final message?

Believe what you will about the Bible. But if you believe it to be God’s word, then believe it to be God’s word.

Beware of False Prophets (1 John 4:1)

Today's scripture: 1 John 4:1

We’ve talked about false prophets before, but it bears repeating, which is probably why John wrote about it several times.

Not only is our world full of false faiths—too many to list here—but it’s also full of false prophets. “Feel good” gospel. Make up your own version of what you believe. Pull the Bible apart and keep what allows you to live however you choose.

How God’s heart must break when He sees people who say they’re followers of His Son, who call themselves “Christians,” yet live so contrary to His word. They live in habitual sin. They more than love their neighbor, they accept and even celebrate outright sin.

I honestly don’t know how anyone can read and study the Bible, and then live with her boyfriend or maliciously gossip or abuse his wife. I know ours isn’t the first generation to do so. “Sunday Christians” have existed as long as Sunday has.

But it’s just so tragic. So heartbreaking. I know Christians aren’t perfect—I certainly am not. But we should live each moment of each day seeking the help of the Holy Spirit. We should “go and sin no more” when we revert to our fleshly ways. We should trust God’s word as the one and only truth.

Don’t get caught up with the hype. Don’t believe those who tell you Jesus isn’t the only way. Don’t trust anyone who teaches anything contrary to God’s truth.

No, Christians aren’t perfect, but we are being perfected (see Philippians 1:6). And to be that “work in progress,” we need to live by the one guidebook we have.

Have you studied your Bible—just as God inspired—today?

True Followers (1 John 2:3-6)

Today’s scripture: 1 John 2:3-6

As I’ve written before, there are many people who call themselves “Christians.” There are churches that say they’re “Christian” churches. But in reality? They’re liars.

If someone says he knows God, yet he picks and chooses what he believes, he’s a liar. If someone says he knows God, yet he disregards part of God’s word and commandments, he’s a liar. Hey, it’s not me who says this; it’s God.

Those who really know God will keep His commandments. They’ll keep His word. They’ll love God and others. They’ll abide in Him. They’ll walk as Jesus walked.

So, are you a true follower of Christ? Do you believe God’s word as His inspired revelation, inerrant in its original manuscripts? Do you strive to follow His commandments—knowing, of course, that you may fail sometimes? Do you do your best to walk as Jesus walked?

If you truly want to follow Jesus, don’t compromise. Don’t “edit” God’s word. Walk the walk, and talk the talk.

Because the Bible says some will experience a very tragic meeting with God one day: They’ll stand before God, and say, “I went to church. I called myself a Christian.” And He’ll say, “Who are you? I don’t know you.” (See Matthew 7:21-23.)

Don’t let that be you. Believe with your whole heart. Meditate on His entire word, even those passages you don’t necessarily understand—or even like. Follow His commandments. Love Him and others. Serve Him.

And then one day, you’ll hear those amazing words, “Well done, My good and faithful servant.” (See Matthew 25:22-23; Luke 19:17.)

I don’t know about you, but that’s my desire: to live like Christ on earth, and then to stand before my Lord, knowing I loved, honored, and served Him well.