I opened for my beloved,
but my beloved had turned
away and was gone.
My heart leaped up when he spoke.
I sought him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
Song of Solomon 5:6
There is a famous song that says: "Looking for love in all the wrong places..." and how many are looking for truth the One to love but are looking in all the "wrong places." When you are seeking truth in the "wrong places" and you believe you found it, then so often does one become complacent placing their commitment to that which is not truth. But it sounds so true, so good, our hearts are just overwhelmed, we have found the One to love. But have you? Or is it that you are just satisfied and don't want to seek any longer? Many people have fallen into that trap of complacency and desist from any other searching as though they need nothing more, as though they need not to examine all things. Scripture does not give us this relaxation, a time to just accept and acquiesce to whatever is said to us; for we are to study to seek the truth and to do this continually for if we do not then error will have and open door to creep in and if possible destroy all in its path. The writer of Proverbs gives this admonition: "My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands with you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up our voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:1-5). It is a matter of the heart: "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45). When our thinking is based on false information then our understanding of the nature of Authentic Biblical Faith becomes askew. True faith is something that so invades our lives that it affects everything we do. It is a matter of the heart, where its reality becomes our supreme influence. If our thinking is based upon the truth of Scripture, and our lives are attuned to follow Scripture no matter the consequences then we seek the truth, no matter where it be found, maybe it is in our "Church" our theology, but maybe not, how would you know if you do not search, not just read, not just accept, but truly search for an answer. When you do you will root out anything that is contrary to the truth of Authentic Biblical Faith, and by doing so you will bring all the heart's desire and affections under control.
The foundation of true Authentic Biblical Faith is that Jesus Christ comes to dwell in our lives by the presence of the Holy Spirit and by this then we are forced to measure all we do against this reality. If any thought or action that is inconsistent with Scripture, against this reality, this truth exists in us then our truth is defective and must be resisted. Our motivation is due to the Holy Spirit in us, and His presence then penetrates our every fiber, our being.
How often when discussing theological matters or things that others believe they become silent on the simple issues and are not addressed. This is complacency, it fact it is a matter of pride, as though they have the truth and they have not be mislead, but have they personally sought the truth, what is, or who is your love? Do you really want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus gives us this as to what a disciple is: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot by My disciple" (Luke 14:26-27). This life attitude cannot be yours or mine if we have any other thing taking the place where Jesus Christ should dwell. If our heart is complacent; then our commitment is to something other than Jesus Christ. If your beliefs, your theology is not Authentic Biblical Faith then you are teaching what is offensive to God, to our Savior Jesus Christ. We may not be able to know everything, and we may make mistakes, but that is not to excuse us, for we are sentient individuals and we can examine and teach what the Bible actually states: "Then He said to the disciples, 'It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come'" (Luke 17:1)! We are to do all we can so that we are to be offensive, that is, to not allow Authentic Biblical Faith to rule our lives.
Prepare your outside work,
make it fit for yourself
in the field; and afterward
build your house.
Proverbs 24:27
Praise God For He Is Our Help!
Richard L. Crumb
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