50 Days to Understanding the End-Times More Accurately - Day 1 The Foundation

narrowminded (58)in #rapture • 8 years ago

DAY 1 - The Foundation

Continually we are exhorted and commanded in the New Testament to examine what we are told and to test what we believe by comparing it to Scripture.

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” (2 Corinthians 13:5a)

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

Unless we are willing to put our beliefs to the test and prove their accuracy with Scripture, we may simply be deceiving ourselves. I am thankful that I have periodically heard men remind their audiences of the importance of not believing something just because they were saying it. Every believer, teacher, pastor, church, and denomination can and will periodically be wrong on an issue. This is where the importance of the Holy Bible cannot be overemphasized.

“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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

If we seriously look at what this verse is telling us, we will be all the more ready to receive what the Word says. Of the four reasons for Scripture given in this passage, at least half require us to be wrong; “reproof” and “correction”.

Unless one was in error about something, there would be no need to be reproved or corrected. Therefore, unless we are willing to admit that we may be wrong, we will not allow our errors to be corrected. When we do this, our Bibles are only half as useful, based on this passage, since we will not allow half of the reasons listed to apply to us. When we choose to resist the Word in this way, we reach a spiritual plateau, and God cannot teach us on those issues.

My favorite part about this passage is that it is directed at “the man of God”. When we choose to call ourselves by His name (i.e. “Christians”), we are claiming that we are the men and women of God. Since He wants to use us and supply our needs, He wants us to be humble, for “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6b). If we humble ourselves and seek His face, He can show us His truth.

For several reasons this study may be difficult for many. Besides our pride, tradition can also make it very difficult to grasp what the Bible is actually teaching. Yet, to truly understand the Word of God accurately, we must be willing to be open to the possibility that our traditions may be wrong too. Such is also the case for me. It may be that I am wrong about some of this.

Personally, there seems to be too many passages which I have used to draw my conclusions for me to have misinterpreted them all, but it remains your job, as the reader, to see for yourself. Please pray that the Lord will give you eyes to see and ears to hear, and that He will protect you from anything erroneous, whether the error be within your already held belief system, or within the pages of this volume.