Sunday, September 21, 2014
“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Matthew 15:14 KJV).
May we not “blindly” follow the blind leaders of the blind!
Once, on religious television programming, a “Christian” author was interviewed to publicize his latest “sensationalistic” book. He alleged that Israel’s religious calendar predicted events in American history, and that our economic-financial future is written in Israel’s Old Testament calendar. While he repeatedly declared that he was “not setting dates,” he did indicate that next year seemed noteworthy in light of a special pattern of events he discovered (?). This gentleman may have meant well, but his theology was unsound. He encouraged us to take Israel’s verses, and try to fit them on us. This is not a reliable way to use the Bible—to insert people, nations, dates, into unrelated verses, is precarious spiritual ground.
While I did not buy his book—I use God’s money more wisely than that!—I did skim through it at a store. Out of his 270 pages, I counted roughly 55 verses quoted (some verses were used two or three times); much of his book was history or idle speculation, not Scripture. He quoted verses from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Joel, Matthew, and John. How many verses directly applied to us? None! How many verses described anything that God is doing today? Not a one! It was all Israel’s verses. His “plan of salvation” verses were John 3:3 and John 3:16. These are the books and authors worth publicizing on Christian television? These people are leading most of our churches? How sad—no wonder Christianity is “in the ditch,” so confused!
In the opening verses of Matthew chapter 15, our Lord Jesus severely rebuked the formalists of His day—the Pharisees who focused more on appearing good than having the eyes of faith to see and believe God’s Word. They had a nice outward show, but they were hypocrites inside. Some of Jesus’ disciples tell Him that His remarks offended the Pharisees. Today’s Scripture was His reply. We can almost hear it echo regarding most church leaders today! Beware!
Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?’”
And as God lamented through Jeremiah, “And my people love it to be so”! What a sad and tragic predicament the church is in today, and has been throughout the ages loving the doctrines and approval of man more than the truth of God in His word the Bible and His esteem. May we be delivered from such evil and live for Him and His glory through faith in Jesus Christ. God bless you:)
http://holdingforthhisword.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/bitter-for-sweet/
Amen Eliza! Let us continue in God’s grace, and not be tossed to and fro, carried about by every wind of doctrine!