Actively Defend your faith
As we walk the Christian walk we often come across people who look at Scripture/Doctrine in a very different way from what we have been taught or from what we have learnt from our private studies. Does that make them right and we become wrong, or are we actually somewhat right? We need to stop and evaluate their points of view, test their points of view from Scripture and use Scripture as our measuring ruler. It is so easy to brush them off as “Wrong” just because we see thing differently, worship in a different denomination; so let us get on our knees and with the Bible in hand check things out ourselves.
Peter, later in his ministry, admonished his hearers, and us, in 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.” We must “check it out” and if it is right, then we need to lay off our baby understanding and grow and accept a higher level of understanding, and then to go on and build on higher from there.
Quote; “We shall have to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Because finite men do not comprehend the power and greatness of God, science, falsely so-called, and religion will be placed in opposition to each other, and “of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” There will be among us those who will so blind their eyes that they will fail to perceive the most wonderful and important truths for this time. Truths which are essential to the safety and salvation of men will be set aside, while ideas that are in comparison to the truth as the merest atoms, will be dwelt upon, and magnified by the power of Satan, so that they will appear of the utmost importance. The moral sight of those who forsake truth has become dim; and yet they do not feel their need of the heavenly anointing, that they may discern spiritual things. They think themselves too wise to err. But those who have not a daily experience in the things of God will not move wisely. They may have a legal religion, a form of godliness, there may be an appearance of light in the church; all the machinery [much of it human invention] may appear to be working well, and yet the church may be as destitute of the grace of God as were the hills of Gilboa of dew and rain. {RH, 31/1/1893}
Quote; Satan’s Divisive Strategy.—“Now, Satan had a council as to how he should keep pen and voice of the Church silent. If he could only engage their attention and divert their powers in a direction to weaken and divide them his prospect would be fair. Satan has done his work with some success. There has been variance of feelings, and division. There has been much jealousy and evil surmising. There have been many unsanctified speeches, hints, and remarks. The minds of the men who should be heart and soul at work, prepared to do mighty strokes for God at this very time are absorbed in matters of little consequence. Because the ideas of some are not exactly in accordance with their own on every point of doctrine involving minor ideas and theories which are not vital questions… is to many a matter of little consequence. Satan has been having things his own way; but the Lord has raised up men and given them a solemn message to bear to His people, to wake up the mighty men to prepare for battle, for the day of God’s preparation. This message Satan sought to make of none effect, and when every voice and every pen should have been intensely at work to stay the workings and powers of Satan there was a drawing apart; there were differences of opinion. This was not at all the way of the Lord.” {3SM 167}
Quote; “As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavourable positions. For their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. And those who do this will find a field of labour anywhere. There will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who will need help, not only among those of our own faith, but largely among those who know not the truth.
The shortness of time demands an energy that has not been aroused among those who claim to believe the present truth. There is need of personal religion, of repentance, of faith and love. I plead that there be a general awakening among us as a people. In the strength that Christ imparts, we should be able to teach others also how to wrestle with those passions which the light of heaven shows them must be mortified. Let there be constant watchfulness and unwearied prayer for the assistance of the Holy Spirit, and let us avail ourselves of all the help and light that God has given.” {CH 506}
Quote; “The third angel’s message is the proclamation of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Christ. The commandments of God have been proclaimed, but the faith of Jesus Christ has not been proclaimed by The Church as of equal importance, the law and the gospel going hand in hand. I cannot find language to express this subject in its fullness. “The faith of Jesus.” It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.” {3SM 172}
Dear Reader; Jesus Christ is “The Word of God,” so how good is your relationship with him?
