|
We need to not just have the
truth, but to love and to walk in it. Truth is one of the most
precious gifts that we have been given - a great treasure that
deserves to be honored and protected. However, truth is not just a
philosophy of life or the knowledge of the facts of history, but
truth is Christ Himself. Truth is a Person. Walking in truth is
walking in intimacy with the Lord. We can know all doctrines
accurately and yet still not be in obedience to the will of the
Lord.
Again, this is not in any way to imply that we do not want to be
devoted to sound and accurate doctrine. If we love the truth, we
certainly will be devoted to this. However, many interpret
standing for truth as not compromising what they believe in, but
their beliefs are seriously flawed and often in conflict with the
Scriptures. The overwhelming majority of Christians seem to
believe what they have been taught rather than searching the
Scriptures for themselves. Those who really love the truth will
care enough to research what they are taught and search the
Scriptures for themselves.
Developing Sound Bible Study Disciplines
I have become increasingly alarmed by how few Christians have
never developed sound Bible study disciplines. There are good
Bible teachers, but few actually teach others how to study the
Bible. This will become an increasingly devastating problem in the
times ahead. There is a saying that if you give a man a fish he
has one meal, but if you teach him how to fish he can feed himself
for the rest of his life. The ministry of the teacher, which is
given to the body of Christ, is not given just to teach, but to
"equip the saints" (see Ephesians 4:12). A true, New Testament,
Ephesians Four ministry does not just impart truth, but also a
love for the truth, which compels those who hear to hunger and
thirst for truth enough to search the Scriptures themselves.
Spurgeon once said, "I can find ten more who will die for the
Bible for every one who will actually read it!" This is likely
to still be true. If we really love the truth, we will search the
Scriptures ourselves with a passion for its treasures. These
treasures will be far more compelling than the other frivolous
things that sap so much of our lives. The real test of what we are
devoted to is found in what we give our time to.
More
than Facts
Even so, more than searching for facts, we are searching for the
Lord Himself. It is not just hearing the Words of the Lord that we
are after, but hearing the Word Himself. As we devour the
Scriptures, we want to do it with our Teacher. We do not want to
just read books, but we want to read the books that our Teacher
has assigned to us.
A prophetic friend, Paul Cain, once said to us, "Almost every
heresy is the result of men trying to carry logical conclusions to
that which God has only revealed in part." As I pondered this
concerning some teachings that I consider to be heretical, I
became convinced that this was a very accurate assessment. Most
heresies are the result of those carrying a teaching to a
conclusion that is beyond what the Scriptures state. They become
increasingly defensive, holding to their position until they
become fanatical in defending it. Then they inevitably tend to
begin judging others by how they relate to that position, which
cannot be defended by the clear teaching of Scripture.
When a cause goes this far, at best it becomes a form of legalism.
As Paul the apostle explained in his letters to the Romans and to
the Corinthians, the law does not deliver anyone from the lusts of
the flesh, but it actually excites them! Clear evidence that this
is the case are the studies that have shown how the denominations
which forbid the drinking of any alcohol have the highest
percentage of alcoholics of any people group. In contrast to this,
the Jews, who do not forbid the drinking of alcohol tend to have
the lowest percentage of alcoholics.
Loving Truth Enough to Look Beyond Our Wounds and Prejudices
The pain with almost anyone who has been an alcoholic or raised in
a family with one makes such a thing as Jesus actually drinking
wine, unthinkable. The Scriptures are clear - Jesus did drink
wine. He is also going to serve it at the great wedding feast.
However, those who tend to see more through the wounds of having
been subjected to an alcoholic will be tempted to think that the
other Scriptures referring to wine in a positive matter must mean
something else, which has caused them to come up with many diverse
and often foolish explanations for those Scriptures. This is a
dangerous tendency and will erode their credibility with any
thinking person, as many denominations have done.
The point I am trying to make is that we are almost certain to be
deceived if we allow pain or mistakes to determine our doctrine.
In prophetic symbolism, flies often refer to lies. As we studied a
few weeks ago, the devil is the Lord of the flies and flies swarm
to wounds. Probably more deception has come from people responding
from their wounds to form a doctrine than the effect of all of the
cults combined. We must base our doctrine on sound biblical truth
and not carry what we think are logical conclusions to that which
God has only revealed in part.
So let us all resolve to love the Word of God, seeking in it to
hear the voice of the Word of God Himself. Let us also do this
with a heart that loves truth enough to not bend it for our own
prejudices or desires.
---------------------------------
A Personal Note from Rick Joyner, September 18, 2004
---------------------------------
The Battle of The Harvest Conference (Sep 21-26, 2004)
This year it seems that every demon in hell has been released
against our upcoming Harvest Conference, which is very encouraging
to us. As I write this, the remnants of Hurricane "Ivan the
Terrible" continues to blow outside. It has been a hellish week
for the Southeast, including the Carolinas, but not in the hearts
of our people. Everyone seemed committed to overcome whatever came
and have fought through every obstacle so far. As the amount of
opposition to our conferences has usually been a barometer of how
powerful the conference will be, we are expecting this one to be
one of the most important we have ever had.
Yesterday, Hurricane Jeanne was scheduled to come inland somewhere
in the Carolinas during the Harvest Conference. However, we prayed
for it to be turned and by this morning it had, being forecasted
to turn north and on out to sea. Now the weather is forecasted to
be perfect through the entire conference. Thank you Lord!
It appears that Hurricane Jeanne turned right after our people
resolved to go forward regardless of what came upon us. They even
became excited about the fight. The Lord has been speaking to us
about Nehemiah, and how we would have to go through a similar
fight as we sought to restore that which was bringing reproach
upon God's people, Heritage USA, where this conference will be
located. Even so, as soon as God's people, who were with Nehemiah,
resolved to fight and prepare for it, the enemies of the Lord
became discouraged and withdrew. Because of their resolve to
fight, they never actually had to do it. Even so, whether we have
to fight through more or not, we are resolved to hold our course.
Now it looks like we may have perfect weather for the Harvest
Conference, but this could change, so we do not want to let our
guard down. Even though we have resolved to meet regardless of
what happens, as long as it does not compromise safety, we would
rather have great weather. Even so, if you are coming, still come
prepared to deal with problems and inconveniences, and to take
advantage of them to grow into who the Lord has called you to be.
Even though many of our guests have already cancelled, we have had
many call and register when it looked the worst. They said they
were doing it because of the potential problems, feeling that
because of this it must be an important gathering. These are the
true warriors who run to the sound of battle, not away from it. It
is that kind of resolve to rise above and overcome obstacles and
opposition that we have prayed for years to see rise in God's
people. I do believe next week will be very important, maybe even
historic.
-- Rick Joyner
Go Here for Harvest Fest 2004 conference information and
registration.
|
