Sneaky Deception
I heard a wonderful talk a while back; that proved that Sin, in essence; that sin is really just a “Why?” Satan told God to make any request he wanted, but he will consider it, and if it sounded fine, then he would be obedient. Eve at the Tree had the same problem, God Said, “But,” she said, hey, this looks rather good to make one even better, healthier and wiser, so she went with her reasoning, so she disobeyed and was not a happy camper afterwards. The wages of sin then instantly kicked in. What you sow so shall ye also reap, was not a sweet taste in the mouth so they tried to run and hide from God; then the “Blame Game” starts, which if boiled down, it was God’s fault in the first place because. But we all know that that is a total waste of time as you cannot run and hide from God, (See Psa 139:7-12). You cannot hide your thoughts from him as he writes those down very accurately in one of his books (Psa 56:8).
A chap I know dropped in the other day with three pages of text covering three scriptural subjects that we have discussed from time to time, and we are poles apart in the end results, as I am Bible Based, he goes by reasoning. The Articles have a touch of what the Bible says, but all the rest is what this Denomination, or what this Preacher, or this old tradition, or what this or that Author etc. said about the subject, or who is doing what I really want to do. It really stood out that this was in essence good old deceptive sin trying to sneak in under the Radar. God said, but!!!
Like you, I am a Bible Believing disciple of Jesus Christ, “The Word,” and then the word says in Isaiah 8:20 “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” This was to anybody living in Christ’s time and earlier, a simple reference to what we call “The Old Testament.” Even Paul told Timothy, who took over the reins after Paul could lead out no more, this very wise council and advice to him in one of his letters preserved for us to consider.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Paul is here telling his young protégé that he needs to base everything on the “Old Testament.” We are lucky to have even more writings that are in total harmony with the Old Testament, and this give us the fulfilment of all the things promised way back in the Old Testament, so we have a New Testament to explain and to clarify and to confirm the Old Testament. There are very few things left un-fulfilled, as we are at the very end of time, the Coming of Jesus is so close that you can just about hear the early first Trumpet Blast and the cheer as the train of Angels accompanying Jesus pulls out of Heaven bound for us down here.
It was of interest to note how often a simple idea appeared, and it was almost perfectly, God said, But! But this section of scripture is not current, that is not what we follow, God did away with this or that. This is good ole sin sneaking in again. Malachai 3:6a “For I [am] the LORD, I change not;” Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Scripture clearly stated that God has not, will not and cannot change anything. Remember that God is absolutely Perfect in all his ways, so to change would mean that he has slipped off his throne and has lessened or become less than absolute perfection, hence he is no longer God, and that will never ever happen, God remains perfectly enthroned forever. Actually, thinking silly, if God changed his mind, then how do we keep up with an ever changing playing field, because you will most likely be forever “Out of Bounds.”
Here is a quote to consider, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].” Paul knew that there would sneak in “another gospel,” and it has come back and is sneaking in everywhere today. Even the modern translations of scripture have been carefully re-written to remove the deity of Christ and so much more, so Satan is getting very sneaky these days.
“Choose poverty, reproach, separation from friends, or any suffering rather than to defile the soul with sin. Death before dishonour or the transgression of God’s law should be the motto of every Christian. As a people professing to be reformers, treasuring the most solemn, purifying truths of God’s word, we must elevate the standard far higher than it is at the present time. Sin and sinners in the church must be promptly dealt with, that others may not be contaminated. Truth and purity require that we make more thorough work to cleanse the camp from Achans. Let those in responsible positions not suffer sin in a brother. Show him that he must either put away his sins or be separated from the church.
When the individual members of the church shall act as true followers of the meek and lowly Saviour, there will be less covering up and excusing of sin. All will strive to act as if in God’s presence. They will realize that His all-seeing eye is ever upon them and that the most secret thought is known to Him. The character, the motives, the desires and purposes, are as clear as the light of the sun to the eye of the Omnipotent. But few bear this in mind. The larger class by far do not realize what a fearful account must be rendered at the bar of God by all the transgressors of His law. {5T 147}
Dear Reader, let us recommit to serving the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul and all our might, to bring all honour and Glory to Jesus Christ, our Creator, Redeemer and King.
