Truett McConnell Assignment
“The greatest deception of the people is the kind of zeal for God which is invested without Scripture in the interest of the salvation of souls, the honor of the church, love for the truth, good intentions, usages or custom, episcopal decrees, and the indications of reason, all of which have been begged from the light of nature. These are lethal errors, when they are not led and directed according to Scripture.”
I interpreted the passage as follows. All authority, drive, and confidence to save souls, honor the church, love for the truth, good intentions, usages or custom, episcopal decrees, and the indications of reason, derive from Scripture. Scripture, by definition, is the Word of God. It is truly, His voice, and what He wants us to know while on Earth. It is unfeasible to go out and preach our heavenly father’s character, without truly knowing Scripture in your heart. God’s word is his character. Unfortunately, many Christians claim to know the Father, without reading and understanding His word.
I notice, the more biblical knowledge I obtain, the easier I can interpret and distinguish the Lord’s voice from my own. That presents the issue, the people who have zeal and love of truth, how do they know what said truth is, without knowing Scripture? This also brings about the predicament of false teaching. While there may be right intentions, not knowing God’s character can steer other believers down the wrong path. Jeremiah 23:16 says, “This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.” The Bible also says lean not on your own understanding, but lean on God. People that do not know scripture, depend on themselves rather than the Father, which is honestly an insult to Him.
After World Race Training Camp and before launch, the Lord was speaking to me directly about this exact topic, once again reiterating that, there are no coincidences with God. My home church, The Heights Church, had a series during this in between time, titled 21 Days of Prayer. Anyone in the congregation is welcomed to come at 6 am to pray individually and then together as a body. In this time of interceding, I felt the Lord speaking to me about His Word. He said, “how are going to go and speak about me, if you don’t even know what I say.” That hit me directly in my heart. God is so funny like that. Not immediately, but He extended grace per usual, I started reading from Genesis.
When a person decides to follow Jesus, their life calling and goal is to make disciples. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age, ” Matthew 28: 19-20. “Making disciples” seems very broad. How do we do that as Christians? The Bible tells us exactly how. By reading and studying God’s word, Christians are literally reading a map and code on how to fulfill their lives. Ultimately, that is what every person wants in their life, a fulfilling mark-on-the-world life and real love. How cool is it, that as Christians, we hold the key and answer to the world’s deepest desire?! This brings about an urgency. Why wouldn’t we want to share the gift of the Bible and Jesus? Maybe fear of failure or fears in general? Knowing the Word of God informs Christians of the authority they have in Jesus Christ. Nothing is impossible with God.
