IN THE NAME OF TRUTH

IN THE NAME OF TRUTH

We call for purity in the church. We speak to honor Jesus Christ and promote His Kingdom. But some wage the warfare differently. Some, like those noble Bereans of old, ask rational questions, listen to the Scriptures, draw our attention to error, and preach the truth in love. Others burn with righteous indignation. Like the church at Ephesus they pursue the false apostles (or those they see as false). But, in their frenzy, their first love of Christ is shoved aside. Their candlestick is in danger of being removed.

Amid the confusion of the battlefield the Accuser of the brethren shuttles from side to side, darting back and forth, sowing the bitter seeds of anger and division. Confronting error is biblical. But Paul warned: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" Gal 5:14-15 In the war on error it is the Enemy who incites the conflict, supplies the ammunition and benefits from the carnage that follows. Brothers brawl before a watching world, and we are all wounded in the fog of war. Paul wrote: "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' Eph 6:11-12

Throughout history, the church has been helped by righteous causes and harmed by overzealous religious crusades. What is the difference? Here are a few points to consider.

A RIGHTEOUS CAUSE
Sees an opportunity
Motivated by Christian love
Gives life
Brings healing
Is about influence and serving
Celebrates freedom
Is passionate and fervent
Unites God's people
Defeats the Enemy
Ends in blessing


A RELIGIOUS CRUSADE
Sees a problem
Motivated by fear and panic
Takes life
Brings wounding
Is about control and force
Celebrates force and violence
Is fanatical and extreme
Divides God's people
Empowers the Enemy
Ends in shame


They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested." Rev 15:3-4

The world will continue to change - no matter what we do. The Apostle Paul looked out on a world which could be won for Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ-on-the-Cross & the Resurrection is the power of God to save mankind! Jesus Himself is the Way, the Truth, the Life. John 14:6; 18:37; 1 John 5:20.