DATE POSTED Wednesday, 2022-08-24
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL
SCRIPTURE FROM: Galatians 1:7-8
TRANSLATION: Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
BIBLE TEXT: 7 There is no other message that is the Good News, but some people are confusing you. They want to change the Good News about Christ. 8 We told you the true Good News message. So anyone who tells you a different message should be condemned—even if it’s one of us or even an angel from heaven!
APPLICATION: Often church leaders and evangelists will use catchy sermon topics to catch our attention and perk our desire to learn from God’s Word. But I believe that Paul is urging us to be careful in what is actually taught, so that we might not taint the truth by which we were saved. In my earlier career, I worked for an organization where auditors came in on a surprise basis to examine our files and prove whether we maintained accuracy and best practices in accordance with company and government regulations. For them to write an exception for something where they determined we had not followed regulations, they had to quote the regulation so that we could read for ourselves what it is that we should have done differently. I believe that the same should apply to our pulpits, Sunday School teachers and/or anyone who tries to correct our understanding or our ways. But there is another piece to this that many church-goers, or Christians in general, take for granted. In addition to demanding accountability from your pastor or teacher, it is imperative that you take your tools with you when you attend church or a Bible study. If you are attending a Bible-teaching church, then it is imperative that you take your sword (Bible) with you. When a scripture is quoted, or read, look it up and follow along so you could validate what is being taught. If a reference was not included by the teacher or preacher, stay behind afterwards and ask for the reference so you could read the context on that Scripture for yourself. By asking, you will help that teacher or pastor to know that the audience is listening, validating and holding him accountable to tell the truth of God’s Word. I had a pastor who was told by an old lady that she understood a certain Scripture, he referenced in his sermon that day, differently. That pastor went home and researched, only to find that his church member was correct. He re-preached the whole sermon at the next service so that he could clear up any misunderstanding or mistruth. Paul taught that perhaps God should condemn anyone who deliberately confuses their hearers into believing something that is not true. Wouldn’t it be interesting if God was to also condemn us for simply attending church, and not paying attention nor checking the references given by our teachers? Friends, unless we protect the truth of God’s Word that we have learned, we might allow falsehood and various doctrines to dilute that truth or erase its impact on us. We must have a solid footing on which we may base our knowledge of the one true God. Reading your Bible on a daily basis and asking God to impress upon you everything He wants you to learn from His Word – that will help you when others try to teach or share with you a different gospel. Are you living out the teachings of the Lord Jesus and practicing all that He demonstrated for us during His time on earth? You should be – God being your helper!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Listen to the Word of God, understand its impact on your life, practice its teachings every day and stand ready to defend its cause when false teachers try to destroy you.
PRAYER: Open our eyes Lord, that we may see You clearly in the church, in Your Word, and in our relationship with You. We can’t thank You enough for the many ways that You bless us and fill us with Your goodness. But we want to help others Lord, so please fill us with Your Word, teach us Your ways, and keep us accountable for testing all that is taught, so that when we share with others, we would be sure of its meaning to us, from You. It’s all about You, Lord. The world doesn’t need more of my doubt, my tainted teachings, or my example that shows failure to imitate You on a regular basis. Please bless Your messengers and fill us every time that we try to share about Your power, forgiveness, love and provisions for eternal life. Oh, that You will be glorified in total innocence and adoration by all Your saints today, is my humble prayer. AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!
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