May 16–The Truth

Happy Thursday to you. I hope you’re doing well this week. While I was making cookies yesterday, I thought about ways to “change up” the basic chocolate chip cookie. Don’t we all get tired of doing the same things over and over? (Well, except for my friend Jamie!) We do like new and exciting because we get bored with tradition and we are pretty easily excited about something new and flashy. 


The Apostle Paul warns Timothy though, to remember what he believed. Remember what you’ve been taught because although these false teachers might seem flashy and exciting and even progressive, they are false. Paul regards their ‘progression’ as moving away from salvation and towards greater ungodliness. He instructs Timothy to continue in the truth of the gospel. 


“...Stick with what you learned and believed...There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭3:14-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬


In the past few years, we have seen some sects and churches veer away from Biblical truths to make them more appealing to the masses of unbelievers. Some have gone so far as to reject teaching salvation through faith in Christ alone or that those who reject Jesus will suffer eternal punishment. And honestly, it’s easy to understand why. It’s painful to admit that our friends or family members who reject God in this life will be punished by Him for eternity. It’s seems much kinder to reinterpret the Bible’s teaching to make it seem more compassionate. I’ve often heard “But a loving God just wouldn’t do that!” The fact is, we aren’t God and our ways are not His ways—we don’t understand everything. Scripture is not our to “reinvent.”


Jesus, Savior and Lord, help us to believe the Scripture for all its worth and not feel obliged to lean into popular trends that move us away from where we are rooted and grounded. We pray that we are obedient to the Word because as Paul said, there is nothing better to show us the way to salvation through you alone. Thank you for showing us our mistakes, correcting our rebellion and exposing the truth. We want to be ready to see you in all of your glory and we desire to be holy as you are holy. We love you and praise you this day. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend,

Pam


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