The Damaging Effects Of False Doctrine--Apathy And Wrong Focus

For our transgressions are

multiplied before You,

and our sins testify against us;

For our transgressions are with us,

and as for our iniquities,

we know them: 

In transgressing and lying

against the LORD,

and departing from our God,

speaking oppression and revolt,

conceiving and uttering from 

the heart words of falsehood.

Isaiah 59:12-13

     Before I begin, I want to thank any and all who may have prayed for me to heal. I have what is termed, "walking pneumonia," and I do feel better as the medicine is attacking the bacteria that caused this disease. More tests ahead, and I will go from there, but I am feeling much better and ready to get back to the task, Changing from the Inside-Out.

     The foundation of any organization has a cornerstone, the one thing that defines all other tenets of the organization. The cornerstone of Christianity: "Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame" (1Peter 2:6). Historically, Jesus came, died on a cross; doctrinally He came and died for all who will believe on Him, this is the foundation of Christianity, Jesus the cornerstone and His resurrection is Doctrine. This the Bible teaches, yet, there are many who carry the name of Jesus only to live culturally and not in conformity to what the Bible teaches in all matters. Wherever we may look within Christianity we see the Christian faith reduced to rules, and regulations that are meant to police Christian behavior. Some Churches will not allow music instruments, others allow any form of music so long as Jesus is mentioned, others will make rules in regard to dancing, drinking, smoking; even it may be said, some people are know by their hairdos what Church they attend, some will not allow jewelry, so on and so on. Only there is no attendance to understand sin according to the Bible because sin is shaped in ways that those sins have certain impact upon society. The Bible does not classified sin on some moral scale, sin is sin. Jesus Christ did not come to die for murder, adultery, etc.; He came and destroyed sin, and in that destruction of sin personal sins can be forgiven. When we have the correct view of God, then we will have a correct view of man. Arminianism, or liberal Christianity, has not the correct view of God, therefore man is placed in a position whereby He chooses God, on his terms, at the whim of his emotional fancy. God is not man, He is not a being that can be compared to man, He is God, transcendent, unapproachable accept by and through His Son by whom He makes His children righteous. God chooses, not man: "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens" (Romans 9:18). In today's culture, within the Church, there is little reverence for the Holiness of God, therefore, there is little reference to the greatness of God, accept for many what God can give to him; sin is not taken seriously. One may point to the antics seen in some Churches, or the piety seen towards others; seemingly these people have a desire for God; do they? Or what God can give them? "Make me feel good," play the current music sounds," "allow me to dress as casually as I like," "but don't ask me to sell everything and follow you," "don't ask me to make you the center of my life," so on and so on, goes the one who has come to put their faith in false teaching. The true foundation is Jesus Christ and He demands, not asks, rather, demands that we sell all, remove all that encumbers a person, and this only will happen when our foundation is built upon correct understanding of God's word. Some will cavil, object that this is some form of legalism; is it? Read the story of the wealthy young man who came to Jesus looking for the means by which he could have eternal life, (Mark 10:17-24; cf. Matthew 19: 16-22). The principle is this: what would our response be if in every case we evaluated our decisions about leisure pursuits by asking if our choices would demonstrate the love of God? How about asking such a question in regard to any decision? 

     Doctrine is the hallmark of Christianity. It is by the hallmark of Doctrine that is found in Scripture that determines our view of God, and of man. When a person has the wrong foundation then their view of God and man is askew. Foundational statement: God is God and as God He can choose to save or not save anyone. It is not whether we agree or not, God is God, and He chooses as He pleases. Being Good, (Mark 10:18), then all that He chooses according to His pleasure is good. Apathy, lethargy, a naturalistic view of life, is to be found in many forms, all ow which are not true Authentic Christianity. What is your criteria to determine whether or not the Church you attend is teaching Authentic Christianity or some other form called Christianity? What if you found that it is not teaching Authentic Biblical faith? Are you willing to find one that does? 

Therefore by Him let us

     continually offer the 

sacrifice of praise to God,

    that is, the fruit of our lips,

giving thanks to His name.

     But do not forget to do good

and to share, for with such sacrifices

     God is well pleased.

                                    Hebrews 13:15-16

Have Confidence In God

Richard L. Crumb