But this is that which was spoken by the
prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in
the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My
Spirit upon all flesh; and you son and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men
shall dream dreams: and on My handmaidens.
I will pour out in those days of My Spirit;
and they shall prophesy: and I will shew wonders
in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: the sun
shall be turned into darkness, and the moon
into blood, before that great and not notable
day of he Lord shall come: and it shall come
to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name
of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:16-21
A major problem with cultural or liberal Christians is they are looking for excitement, experiences, visions, prophecies, as though they are the recipients of Joel chapter 28, and in Acts chapter 2. Cultural or liberal Christians will "latch" onto any meaning they can give in translating the Scripture to fit their already determined theological doctrine. Scripture is made to prove their theology or doctrine instead of allowing Scripture to give to them doctrine and theology. A way to aid a person in their search for the truth is to use word studies. It takes some time but the reward is great. For instance: vision. This word is used in many places in Scripture and this word has several meanings that the context gives to this word. The Dictionary gives several meanings: 1. the act or power of sensing with the eyes; sight, 2. the power of anticipation that which may come to be; foresight: 3. something seen in or as if in a dream, often attributed to divine agency. The experience of perception, 4. a vivid, imaginative anticipation. 5. something seen; an object of sight, the act of seeing. It is the job of the one seeking truth to determine how the Greek noun is used to determine the correct translation and to give aid to our understanding. Cultural or liberal Christians select the meaning that best fits their doctrine or theology and do not determine what is the "real" meaning so that they would arrive at the correct translation. This then, is false teaching. This then leads to incorrect exercise of faith. This then allows the culture of the world to give meaning leading to misunderstanding. Authentic Christians do not just accept any meaning and do diligent work to study to show themselves an approved workman: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun propane and vain babblings; for they will increase unto more ungodliness" (2Timothy 2:15). Turn off the TV, turn off the cell phones, isolate yourself for a time to study.
Do you want a vision? Well.... you can have one! See how your life is based and how it has determined your perception of the world, as see it as how this perception affects our experience of the world in our fallen state. When our vision, our sight, even though we cannot see God, our vision is not some imaginary sight, it is sight based upon the word of God. This affect in a dynamic way our faith and we see, have a vision, of life from a different perspective. We see it through the lens of God's truth. The unseen becomes seen, we have a vision, not because we have seen but because we have come to know the truth. This sight is a way for our mental and spiritual life come together to form vigilance, to conform to word of God, not some man-made doctrine or theology. Cultural or liberal Christians look to the "good" to do "good" and the truth is unknown to them, and only some euphoric feeling of piety. We live in this world and we cannot escape from this world except in death, but, Authentic Christians live according to God's commands and see the world as it really is, and not live in some unreal misunderstanding about this world. Authentic Christians keep their minds attuned to the truth of God, and live active, productive lives, enjoying the comforts afforded them, yes, and the blessing given to them by God, they use the material things of this world but with a proper sense of moderation and thankfulness. Authentic Christians do not become absorbed in the culture of this world.
Authentic Christians, Authentic Christian Faith keeps the eternal in focus, not what they do, not what they say they may have seen in visions, or in other forms of their exercise of their false theology, no, the priority of their lives is to live the life that God has outlined for His children to live. Authentic Christians are in the world but are not of this world and the concerns of this world do become almost all their preoccupation. This world with all its attraction do attract Authentic Christians. Authentic Christians do no not need to put on a display of their faith, rather they live it quietly, as a witness to the truth, they speak, as the Greek word denotes, to speak the words of God, they witness, not some form of special miracles, or other such things, they simply bring the Good News to the world. Authentic Christians have a proper perspective and are able to handle the uncertainties of life and with a sense of dignified composure. By this Authentic Christians are able to reach out and serve others. This is Authentic Christianity!
How are the things of Esau searched out!
How are his hidden things sought up out!
All the men of they confederacy have brought
thee even to the border: the men that were
at peace with thee have deceived thee, and
prevailed against thee; they that eat thy
bread have laid wound under thee; there is
none understanding in him.
Obadiah 6-7
Seek the truth: Do not be ensnared!
Richard L. Crumb
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