Christians often take comfort in the notion that the harsh judgements in the Bible are directed towards those of the world; this is either wishful thinking or self-delusion. The Bible is not just another book addressed to anybody and everybody; it is a supernatural book, the message of which is addressed to just a few; those chosen by God to be His, and Christians should stop kidding themselves that the words of rebuke contained in the Bible apply to those who are not His.
Whatever may have taken place in eternity, it is quite apparent what happens in time. Some believe and some don’t; some are morally convicted and some aren’t; some have spiritual enlightenment and some have not. It is to those who do and are and have that the Bible is meant to speak; those who do not, are not and have not will study it in vain.
The complete absence of teaching on discipleship to Christ in modern Christianity leaves a vacuum that is filled by a variety of substitutes. One is a kind of religious pietism that produces an affection for the Lord in which feelings and emotions become confused with spirituality. Another is literalism, which insists on observing the letter of the Word while ignoring its spirit; it is concerned principally with external appearances. A third is religious “busyness” where “working for Christ” becomes the ultimate test of godliness.
In these substitutes for discipleship, Christ becomes a project to be promoted or a cause to be served rather than a Lord to be obeyed. True discipleship to Christ inevitably produces a moral imperative that must alter the manner of life of the believer. Indeed, faith and morals are two sides of the same coin; the very essence of faith is moral. Any profession of faith in Jesus Christ that does not bring the life under plenary obedience to Christ Jesus as Lord is inadequate and must betray its victim in the end.
That being said, if one sincerely seeks the truth in the Bible and prayerfully engages the assistance of God by His Holy Spirit, he will find it. “Seek and you will find”, Jesus said and that is as true today as it ever was.
Leave a Reply