Things To Consider
For those who will read these study papers and give some thought and consideration to the premises and information brought forth, you will add a whole new layer of knowledge and understanding to your continuing walk with God.
The job at hand is to sort out and decide how some of this new information may fit with everything that has become a part of one’s Christian life.
Most serious students of Bible prophecy believe we are now living in the end times; those last few years preceding the return of Christ. For most, this is not the issue.
The Issues
- Where do I find myself, how do I stand with God in this critical period of time?
- What do I need to know in order to secure my future?
- In short, what is it God requires of me that will guarantee my relationship and future with Him and Jesus Christ?
Do not take anything for granted. One way or another, prove all things and then commit to the truth. Nothing else will satisfy God.
The dilemma I face is how to help and encourage and not cross the line. How to offer words of direction and not sound like a “know-it-all” or come across as a “holier-than-thou” busy body. I will do the best I can and hopefully not cross the line – or as little as possible. I ask your patience and consideration in this matter.
I believe a key word for Christians today in facing new challenges and opportunities is fear. The most important word is truth, it overcomes all fear, if one believes. Believing requires one to grow in knowledge, understanding, wisdom and trust. These things, in time, form a mature and Godly faith.
The dictionary definition (Webster) for fear: “Frighten, to be afraid of, to be afraid or apprehensive. An unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger. A state marked by emotion. Reason for alarm, dread, painful agitation in the presence of anticipation of danger.”
This next definition I believe applies to many Christians. “Fear is the most general term and implies anxiety and usually loss of courage. An intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation and suggests aversion as well as anxiety.”
I believe Christians in their efforts to establish truth, make changes and move forward, are hindered to one degree or another by fear of three things.
Disappointment
We humans hate disappointment. We have expectations of others. We expect that what we perceive and are able to understand is to be the norm for the relationship. What usually happens as a relationship matures; is people and surrounding events will be more readily discerned and appreciated for what they are. Reasonable allowances will need to be made.
For church people, there are usually two areas of concern that will often lead to disappointment. Included with this disappointment can be anger and disillusionment. This give and take of human relations requires reasonable adjustments. It is when matters go beyond fair and reasonable and recognized boundaries that one must consider taking necessary corrective action.
With the wrong use of authority and governance, words and deeds often cannot be reconciled to scripture. Especially the words of Jesus, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” A sense of being abused and taken for granted develops. A strong feeling that the leaders are hypocrites tends to form.
Unfortunately, one of the after effects of this type of disappointment is that all men and organizations are suspect. It is difficult but necessary to give fair consideration to new ideas and information. Not to do so stops one cold in his or her tracks, and there can be no real progress and growth.
Don’t let disappointment and anger cut you off from new opportunities and possibilities.
The other major area of disappointment has to do with truth and doctrine. We are required to grow in grace and knowledge. This means that as we mature spiritually, our understanding and appreciation of God and His word should be expanding. Assumptions and letting others do our thinking for us kills growth and is contrary to biblical instructions.
In other words, upon inspection, what we believe and practice may not be the actual and factual truth of the matter. We are responsible to reaffirm what is true, discard what is not and establish new and proven truth into our lives.
The feeling of being mislead and wasting time is often a bitter disappointment. God requires us to always exercise critical thinking and judgment. This does not mean we never come to an educated opinion and final decision. It means, once we have thoroughly examined a matter, and find it sound, then we are obliged to adopt it and live by it, especially when it is a better and more correct understanding of a particular teaching or group of teachings associated with scripture. The words of Jesus, the prophets and apostles are the true touchstones for establishing truth.
I encourage all to set aside past disappointments, anger and frustration. Build your future on the assured word of God, as verified by personal Bible study. Godly living and salvation is a personal and private matter between the believer and God. No man has a place in this relationship, although the obvious understanding is that God uses men to start the process and to enhance it.
Uncertainty
For any number of reasons, many of God’s people have trouble coming to firm conclusions on various theological matters. This includes such issues as Sabbath keeping, tithing, holy days, prophecy, faith, government and more.
There is also a strong tendency to be critical and suspicious of anybody and anything that does not fall into their line of reasoning.
The solution is found in the ability to grow out of non-productive thinking and conditions and come to truly desire and begin to seek God in earnest. I believe it is understood that I am not finding fault with Christian works and expressions of love. There is a focus that is necessary; everything else will find its proper place.
The words and examples of Christ, the prophets and apostles are most important because they form and develop the intent of heart and Godly character. In other words, there begins a keen desire to please God and imitate His Son. The law is seen as more than a set of standards. It is seen as instructions that lights one’s path and gives direction to life. There is a strong driving desire to establish Godly truth and personal responsibility to God and Christ. This includes a desire to have a meaningful and mature relationship with them.
Change
Once a person is established and settled into a relationship, the last thing he or she wants is change. Change is uncomfortable; it causes doubts, and feelings of insecurity arise; also, the perception of important loss.
When it comes to how one practices his or her religion, many freeze up and will not entertain or even slightly consider that the organization and leadership are not providing all the truth and unselfish support.
I know it is very unpleasant to face the loss of friends, peers, position and the many other things that are a part of a comfortable church life. In the grand scheme of things, and considering there are only a few more years until the return of Christ, there is nothing more important than getting as “right” as humanly possible with God – no matter what may be the real or perceived loss.
What are the two major hindrances to change? The lack of a desire to face reality, and wanting to feel secure and comfortable. Also, once one has given his or her personal responsibilities over to others, reasoning these men are God’s ministers and can be trusted, it is time consuming, painful and difficult work to go back and check and prove the important issues one way or the other.
