Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Greatest Need in the Body of Christ

One cannot know how to be if the Manual is not read and applied on a daily basis…..

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some. Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His, and, everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 2 Timothy 2:16-19.

Within the Body of Christ there may be an enormous number of people who are ignorant of God’s Word. We live in the most privileged of Nations of the World that accounts for the largest numbers of printed Bibles on the Planet; why so much Bible ignorance? And my reference to the ignorance is not finding foundation in the community at large, but rather in the Body of Christ.

In the article that I wrote yesterday I was speaking of the local church, NOT the Body of Christ as my thoughts were directed at the large numbers of unsaved found on the membership roles. I find myself concerned that the Body of Christ is not reading from God’s Word that holds the Truth of their faith.

Members of football teams study their play books in order to be effective players on game day. If one fails to study the play manual then the bench will be warmed by the seat of his pants. Effective players know their stuff. The same holds true for any station in life, whether one is in sales, mechanics or a truck driver. There are certain things that must be known in order to be whatever. Manuals must be read. Professing Christian, why are you not reading God’s Word? Could it be that you are not what you are professing to be?

As one who is called to make proclamation of God’s Word, like Paul, I am to “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”

The task given me is to not only make proclamation of God’s Word to the lost of our world, but to also instruct the Word of God to those who profess to be Followers of the Way. Not everyone agrees with me and that is okay, but if you disagree with me then I must direct you to the Manual from which I am teaching. From God’s Word we learn all that there is to know about the ‘How To’ of living the Christian life and if the Manual is not read all sorts of strange beliefs are followed.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. Psalm 119:9.

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