Christians go looking for truth and guidance in all the wrong places. They dig through the garbage cans of psychology, mysticism, spiritual gimmicks, and supernatural quick fixes. “As a result,” pastor and teacher John MacArthur says, “they wallow in a watered-down, pseudo-Christianity that has been drained of its vitality, effectiveness and security” (Our Sufficiency in Christ, back cover). It’s not like “frozen concentrated orange juice - its contents need not be supplemented, augmented to or diluted.
Scripture is clear as to its all sufficiency. Second Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Do you hear what the Holy Spirit is saying through Paul? Scripture is sufficient for the man of God to be complete, thoroughly equipped. ...
When one looks beyond the pages of Scripture, they open themselves to confusion, chaos, subjectivism, mysticism, deception, and even demons. Today, the Church is bombarded with a fraternity of self-proclaimed prophets and self-anointed apostles. These “ascended masters” foist, in numerous ways and expressions, that Scripture is outdated and no longer applies. ...
It can be said, without doubt that which the Apostle Paul feared, that which moved him to tears, that which he admonished the church at Ephesus for a period of three years, is again confronting the Church (Acts 20:28-31). It is a problem which the Church continues to face.
Kurt Goedelman, For Life, For Goodness, Scripture is Sufficient, SBABC newsletter, October-December 2001.
4 comments:
And one which by His Grace, those who are truly seeking Him continue to overcome.
Sometimes I wonder if we, as apologists, don't take on works of the Kingdom that are beyond our grasp.
True, it is our "place on the mount" to speak the truth--but we cannot make anybody believe anything.
None of us are trying to "make" anyone believe anything. We present the truth. They can either accept it or not - and that is not our concern. We would LIKE for them to accept the truth, but if they don't, we can't do anything about it except to keep presenting it.
True--but I've found reasoning anyone into the kingdom a waste of time unless they are first prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive it. You can always tell when they are. And then there is seed planting. I guess we do often end up as Jeremiah did. A voice speaking the truth by which those who heard will be judged for refusing. Not that we speak the judgment, not even that we speak the truth perfectly, but as His ambassadors, we DO speak of His Word in accordance with The Truth. I think we are now in the time when "they will not heed sound doctrine" and as "there is a generation who remains silent" I wonder how loud I should shout in the streets. Maybe that day awaits me (sack-cloth, ashes and all) but for now I have little inclination to do apologetic battle. I think for me it is more fellowship with those who uphold the truth and with whom I can share my heart more deeply. I want to fellowship with believers--not be a battleship against the damned.
Not all those we do apologetics with will be damned. Many do indeed respond to the truth and come to the true Faith.
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