Today as I read one of my favorite devotionals “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers I am reminded. Oswald leaves today’s devotion with this last line, “it is not Christ for me unless I am determined to have Christ formed in me,” and I can’t help but think, “how true. How many of us are claiming Christ yet unwilling to let Him be formed in us? How many are conforming rather to the lusts and complacency’s of this world?” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2). “A growing trend,” and so how do we prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God? There must be a measuring stick.
“A growing trend,” and what is it? Perhaps it is this; there is no measuring stick. The Word of God is not inherent. But if that were the case then what do we really have to hang our faith on? Love? “Yes, love” they say. “Love is the only way.” Yes, love, true, but even Christ as they dragged the woman caught in adultery to His very feet, though He did not condemn her told her, “go and sin no more,” not what the “growing trend” would say in regards to sin. No, rather the “growing trend” would say, “the bible doesn’t really say that. It is no longer relevant for us today.” Hmph! “Poppycock!” that’s what I say.
“The growing trend,” would have me believe that the Word of God is up for interpretation and again they say, “that isn’t what it really means.” Then if that were the case then perhaps I will throw out any verse that doesn’t really suit me. If the Word of God is not inherent than it is all up for grabs – eventually and “the growing trend” keeps on growing.
The Word of God must be inherent. The Word of God is still relevent today. The Word of God says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Perhaps off this very verse alone we should learn that “growing trends” are not always the right roads. The Word of God must be the measuring stick; and the only way it can be is if it is held up as inherent. Jesus Himself says, for narrow is the gate and difficult the way. But the “growing trend” would teach us differently.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:15-23).
The “growing trend” would say there is no such thing as a “call” to holiness. But if that were the case than why did Christ die for me? “He hath made Him sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The only way the righteousness of God can be made manifest in me is if I am willing and determined to let Christ be formed in me and if anyone should tell us differently then hold everything they say up to the Word of God; for it is by it we do the measuring.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3).
** For today’s devotional from “My Utmost for His Highest” go to www.rbc.org/utmost .
