TODAY’S SIGNATURE VERSE ••• But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. (Matthew 12:36 NKJV)
PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• This week, I read what may have been one of the most disturbing articles I’ve ever read. It told of a man who presented a disgustingly disrespectful perspective about Jesus and the Christian faith. My heart wept for this man quoted in the article, while my mind was horrified. The story was so bad I’m not even going to drop a hint about the topic for you to Google.
It’s becoming commonplace. While this particular article was one of the worst (if not THE worst I’ve seen), we are seeing more and more of this in our world. And not just from secular opinions, but in some cases, right from the church and the pulpit.
The arrogance of people is staggering. And it begs the question… Who do we think we are?
Who do we think we are to make unbiblical and unholy assumptions about Jesus? God’s Word tells us about Jesus (Hebrews 13:8)! We have no authority to make up assumptions about Him!
Why do we think we have the right to add or subtract from Scripture? God’s Word is whole and complete (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). No matter how brilliant we think we are or how impressed we are with our clever turns of phrase — our words aren’t part of the canon of Scripture.
Who do we think we are to decide what elements of the Bible are relevant in our modern, “enlightened” world? God’s Word is timeless, and we are foolishly arrogant to think we can decide the eternal God is outdated (2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12-14; Isaiah 40:8).
Our world questions the One who set boundaries along the sea (Psalm 104:9; Proverbs 8:29)! It is written, “Do you not fear Me?’ says the Lord. ‘Will you not tremble at My presence, Who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, By a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though its waves toss to and fro, Yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it’” (Jeremiah 5:22). We dare to think we know better from the God who has infinite and almighty power?!
Sometimes I look at the things going on in the world and wonder — if Sodom and Gomorrah were so bad to elicit fire and brimstone from heaven, yikes!!! I cannot even imagine. (Genesis 19:24.)
Before I go much further — let me be clear. I’m a sinner and no better than these people who make these insane claims and try to rewrite Scripture. And I’m not saying that any controversial claims that may come from a pulpit mean the pastor isn’t saved. I’m also not saying I haven’t gotten things wrong myself. I’ve been writing My Grace-Full Life since 2017, so I’m 100% sure I have! But if I’ve learned anything from being a recovered prodigal, God’s way is better than mine. I am saved by His grace, not by any merit of my own. And from a grateful heart, I want His truth declared! Not man’s truth nor mine.
I think one of the most terrifying verses in the Bible is Matthew 12:36. It says, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.”
In our world, everything is topsy-turvy! What the Bible calls sin is celebrated. What the Bible calls good, the world disdains. Our world runs so countercultural to God’s Word! And as this world grows more arrogant, we see and hear of true blasphemy from those who think they know better — yes, they think they even know better than God.
But as believers, we have to make a decision… to take God at His Word completely, or not at all! As my friend Alice says, “We can’t have one foot in the world and one foot in the Word!”
God’s way is always better! I’m not so arrogant to think otherwise (as a recovered prodigal, it’s a lesson I’ve learned the hard way). I pray for those who haven’t learned this yet. The Bible says that one day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). Those who have believed in Jesus as their Savior will declare that truth willingly, while those who rejected Him will be compelled to say it and realize they’ve declared it too late.
I know where I want to stand — with both feet firmly planted in God’s truth, even if the world thinks I’m stupid. How about you? Where are you standing? Are you willing to embrace humility and remember that even when we don’t understand, God’s ways are higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8)?
Today, as you pray, thank God for the perfection of His Word. Thank Him that He is all-powerful and that we don’t have to have all the answers because He does. Take a moment to reflect on His infinite greatness and stand in awe of Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to discern the Word from the world. Ask Him to help you study God’s Word for yourself and develop a richer understanding of His authority… And ask Him to give you the courage to choose God’s way over the world’s way.
SHARING ••• My Grace-Full Life is written by Denise Heidel. You are welcome to share anything I write, but please credit my writing and graphics accordingly. Visit www.MyGraceFullLife.com to read past blogs. Subscribe through my website to have My Grace-Full Life delivered to your email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the NKJV translation.
