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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD
Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 256 September 10, 2001
The Great Compromise
The nation of Israel was barely out of Egypt when they turned again to false Gods and made golden calf idols.
The pattern would repeat itself throughout Israel’s history. Often her kings would take their religion and combine elements of other faiths to keep people happy. They would introduce other Gods, downplaying the sovereignty of God and softening or ignoring His truth.
The apostles warned the early churches against the same kinds of errors and the early church battled a wide range of heresy.
The problem continues today. In an effort not to “offend”, or to make God more “palatable”, or just to make themselves seem more acceptable to men, many churches have accepted false teachings and deny Biblical truth.
Entire “Christian” denominations deny the Bible is true. Many teach that Jesus is one of the ways to heaven. There are those who teach the crucifixion didn’t really happen, it is all an analogy.
They deny the miracles of Jesus. They deny His virgin birth. Many teach that He never claimed to be the Messiah.
Some deny the existence of hell. Others condone ungodly behaviour. Some practice the occult.
Now, there are many areas of the Christian faith where there is room for compromise. There are doctrines that are not clear, or can be interpreted from a number of different perspectives.
There are a wide range of worship and musical styles. Church services can range from the frozen chosen to rolling in the aisles.
Part of the beauty of the body of Christ lies in the diversity of its members. Different people will feel comfortable in different surroundings.
There are areas however that must not be compromised. The Bible is truth. There is a heaven and hell. Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation for all of mankind. If your church denies these things, heed the warning of the Apostle Paul
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 really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:6-9 NIV
Now I’m not suggesting you immediately run out and desert your local congregation if they are in error, but you can became a prayer warrior standing in the gap for them to change. You can gently confront and question. Congregations and denominations can repent and change.
Your role as a believer is to seek sound teaching, know your Bible and understand what it really teaches. Know what you believe and why you believe it.
Do you know what your denomination, congregation and pastor believe? Do you know what you believe? Do you know what the Bible says about it? If the answer to any of these questions is no, it’s time to do some searching.
Until next time, may you be fully grounded in the truth of Jesus Christ.
God bless.
Kevin
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin
All Rights Reserved