Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the rapid and ceaseless change going on around you? Is change for the sake of change necessarily a good thing? Have all the new gadgets spelled success and happiness for members of modern day communities? As we see the cracking of the moral foundations of our society, the functional breakdown of our traditional institutions and the tearing apart of the very fabric of our culture, we are made to wonder if the much heralded blessings of change have become curses rather than blessings.
Many recognize that in the midst of the changes designed to attract the attention and procure the patronage of a materialistic consumer society, it is necessary to test, try and prove new products, processes and procedures to determine if they are really beneficial or worthwhile. This is true simply in the sense of getting value for money. If we are going to spend hard-earned money we do not wish to squander it on inferior products of little reputation or worth. For this reason, many of us usually go for the tried and true; especially after we have suffered a few so-called bargains.
If we are to be cautious about change in our secular life, we should be doubly so in spiritual matters. It is not just new methodology we must examine to determine it’s efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy, but organizations and movements, obviously based upon principles of compromise, are vying for the attention and support of those who once were known as fundamental, Bible-believing Christians.
I tend to want to stick to the tried and true, especially in matters of eternal significance. As the old saying goes, "Give me that old time religion." If it was good enough for Paul and Silas and our forefathers in the faith, it is good enough for me. If I am going to spend my time and energy contending for a faith, I want it to be the faith of our fathers as it was once delivered to the saints. If I am going to pay the price of real committal, I want to purchase the approval of God, not the praise of men. If I am going to preach a gospel, I want to ensure I only proclaim the powerful gospel of Christ.
As we examine the proliferation of what might be termed bargain basement type religions, and listen to the extravagant claims that press in upon us from all sides, we must make every effort to examine the validity of their claims and the Biblical basis of their boasting. But how are we to know? In what crucible can we analyze them? In what test tube can we test them? In considering the myriad of claims being made today, just what tests will assure us we have the right stuff?
Just one test will suffice. The very Word of God is the only sufficient rule of faith and practice. Only the sharp and powerful Sword of the Spirit has the capacity to dissect and analyze every claim and counterclaim and ascertain scriptural validity. Our standard must always be the grand old Book of the grand old faith!
One hears much talk today advocating that many things in doctrine, methodology and music are just matters of preference. Those who seemingly worship at the altar of change, for the sake of change, seem to have few convictions about the primacy of the Word of God or the need to have scripture, scriptural precedence or principles as a basis of our faith and practice. Anything seems to go as long as it may appear to be attractive to the secular world and draw the crowds to be entertained in a so-called praise and worship setting. It should not be so among those who love the Lord and the Word of God!
Many recognize that in the midst of the changes designed to attract the attention and procure the patronage of a materialistic consumer society, it is necessary to test, try and prove new products, processes and procedures to determine if they are really beneficial or worthwhile. This is true simply in the sense of getting value for money. If we are going to spend hard-earned money we do not wish to squander it on inferior products of little reputation or worth. For this reason, many of us usually go for the tried and true; especially after we have suffered a few so-called bargains.
If we are to be cautious about change in our secular life, we should be doubly so in spiritual matters. It is not just new methodology we must examine to determine it’s efficiency, effectiveness and efficacy, but organizations and movements, obviously based upon principles of compromise, are vying for the attention and support of those who once were known as fundamental, Bible-believing Christians.
I tend to want to stick to the tried and true, especially in matters of eternal significance. As the old saying goes, "Give me that old time religion." If it was good enough for Paul and Silas and our forefathers in the faith, it is good enough for me. If I am going to spend my time and energy contending for a faith, I want it to be the faith of our fathers as it was once delivered to the saints. If I am going to pay the price of real committal, I want to purchase the approval of God, not the praise of men. If I am going to preach a gospel, I want to ensure I only proclaim the powerful gospel of Christ.
As we examine the proliferation of what might be termed bargain basement type religions, and listen to the extravagant claims that press in upon us from all sides, we must make every effort to examine the validity of their claims and the Biblical basis of their boasting. But how are we to know? In what crucible can we analyze them? In what test tube can we test them? In considering the myriad of claims being made today, just what tests will assure us we have the right stuff?
Just one test will suffice. The very Word of God is the only sufficient rule of faith and practice. Only the sharp and powerful Sword of the Spirit has the capacity to dissect and analyze every claim and counterclaim and ascertain scriptural validity. Our standard must always be the grand old Book of the grand old faith!
One hears much talk today advocating that many things in doctrine, methodology and music are just matters of preference. Those who seemingly worship at the altar of change, for the sake of change, seem to have few convictions about the primacy of the Word of God or the need to have scripture, scriptural precedence or principles as a basis of our faith and practice. Anything seems to go as long as it may appear to be attractive to the secular world and draw the crowds to be entertained in a so-called praise and worship setting. It should not be so among those who love the Lord and the Word of God!
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