"Jesus, teach me what I want to hear!" seems to be what many previously faithful Christian leaders and denominations currently ask of God - if the resolutions enacted at some recent church conventions are any indication.
The most recent "mainline" church body to follow this trend was The Presbyterian Church USA. At their general assembly in late June, the delegates voted to ask each presbytery to amend the church's constitution to delete a "Fidelity and Chastity" standard for clergy, adding language that would make the standard for ordination simply one of being guided by "a sincere effort to obey one's personal interpretation of scripture." According to their web site, this action has pained the members of Presbyterians for Renewal, a group that seeks to enable "congregations to faithfully proclaim and live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ." It should similarly pain all who recognize Jesus - and not ourselves - as the head of the church.
This action came at a time when scripture lessons in the lectionary indicated that Jesus taught us what we need to hear and not necessarily want to hear! Jesus said, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:31-32)
And, Paul, in his epistle to the Galatians wrote, "Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh. . . . Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (5:16-21)
We might want to "close the book" to these teachings and live by our own rules. And many people do set the Bible aside. But that is done with peril, for in Ezekiel 2 God stated, "Whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house), they shall know that there has been a prophet among them."
Whether or not we actually heed God's Word and continue in it, we know that the Word has been, is and will be here among us and cannot be ignored forever. That Word is readily available for study, guidance and reproof.
Pray for the WordAlone Network and for the Presbyterians for Renewal as all work to keep the Church founded on God's Word Alone!
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Phillip Wold is a WordAlone board member in Mankato, Minn.
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Lord,
Why have I struggled so hard in the past (for years) to reconcile Your rules to my life, because I didn't like what they meant I would have to do, or not do, or because they made me uncomfortable?
When I was a child, I didn't always like the rules that my father set in our house because they inconvenienced me. But I knew he loved me, and as I worked to understand those rules I began to appreciate them and loved (yes, loved) what they did for my life when I followed them correctly, without compromise or constant re-interpretation.
I pray In Jesus' name, that as my relationship grows with you dear Lord, I will gain understanding and wisdom, which will not only allow me to obey You and surrender myself to Your will, but that I will become a model and a positive influence to those around me who sincerely seek You, but are afraid to leave their compromises.
Please help me to do this in love, without my abhorrent pretention, annoyance, and sarcasm.
Please also help me to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, Your Son with commendations that they have influenced my attitude with their own words.
I also pray that others will pray these intentions in their own words, so that our petitions are made in unity through the Holy Spirit.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I believe this also goes for me and lots of other brother and sister in Christ.
We are drawn more to the sound good, feel good verses in the Holy bible and tend to ignore some lots of other verses which are focusing on our weaknesses.
Just like Judah do not like verses in Jeremiah prophecies that see them went on a 70 years exile in Babylon.
Yes, let us pray to keep Church founded on God's Word Alone