Sunday, August 21, 2022
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42,43 KJV).
Dear saints, only by God’s grace, we have reached devotional #4100 today!
Several decades ago, a Christian evangelist found himself in an unenviable dilemma. His solution was easy (or so he thought): he chose to gloss over or explain away a preacher friend’s major theological errors. To wit, that compromising friend was highly popular (man-pleaser), so, lest the evangelist lose funding and support from mutual associates, he smoothed over the heresies and reassured his audience the preacher’s teachings were still sound and acceptable. Nevertheless, as the years passed, the two men could no longer ignore their mounting doctrinal disagreements. The evangelist’s public break from the (now even more) famous preacher devastated the former’s ministry: the evangelist’s biweekly publication lost nearly one-third of its 100,000 subscribers!
Christian friends, the simplest way to discover just how much we love the Lord Jesus Christ and His words is to ask ourselves a pointed question: Do I seek to please man or the Lord? Now, we imagine ourselves in the situation described in today’s Scripture. “Many” chief rulers amongst the Jews believed on Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Nonetheless, they were “secret believers,” for to publicly admit their faith meant an invitation to permanently leave the synagogue (place of Jewish worship)! (“I will not speak out against my denomination’s errors, lest I be excommunicated!”) The Holy Spirit comments: “For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
During these last 4,100 days now, we have disseminated daily Bible studies from the King James Bible rightly divided. Never have we sought to appeal to sinful flesh; therefore, as expected, we have offended innumerable people from day 1. We are not interested in repeating the traditions of men, or perpetuating denominational doctrine. Instead, we have endeavored to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ by teaching His Holy Scriptures dispensationally considered and delivered (2 Timothy 2:15). Our loyalty is solely to Him. Do you agree?
Onward to devotional #4200! 🙂
Remember, you can find all our devotionals archived here.
333 Words of Grace 