Two well-known writers of fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were not only writers but friends as well, and their stories became popular films. Both men shared the same Christian values and themes, and C.S. Lewis was a well-respected apologist for the faith.
That being said, they however had another trait in common, they created lies based upon their fantasies. The Scriptures clearly speak out against those who love and create lies as being denied entrance into the holy city.
Now, how does that apply to us? What lies are we practicing, teaching and learning? Because when we open our eyes to the Scriptures and BELIEVE what they are saying, then we have no excuses for our lives being lived, steeped in lies that we willingly have chosen to accept, believe and practice. Those lies that we accept, frame, fashion, they permeate our very existence. From our parents, teachers, friends, news sources, jobs, our beliefs, in essence, our worldviews.
Now let’s take this to the Biblical level, the book that all Christians claim are the words of God to mankind. Do we BELIEVE what is written within those pages, but more importantly, do we put into daily practice its commands and precepts, or do we question its authority over us as post-modern naysayers and choose to accept and reject at will as it applies to our thinking? Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority fall into the latter category without fail.
We, the believers in Jesus Christ, claim the Ten Commandments as the tenets of our faith, and we break at least several of them daily. As a matter of fact, almost all believers have been deceived into believing that those commandments and the law were nailed to the cross by the Son of God, and that they no longer need to put any of them into practice because they are saved by grace, which a believer is. But that has never set aside the Law, and that is the biggest lie that post-modern believers have ever accepted, and it will prove to become the costliest mistake of their lives if they continue practicing lawlessness.
The Scriptures abound with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding to the discerning heart, and blessed is the one who keeps the commandments. As lawlessness abounds, paganism arises to take its place, and with it, all sorts of carnality and profane lifestyles with coarse and careless attitudes. And especially among the believers, there is a noticeable increase in lukewarm lifestyles and open lawlessness to the Law and commandments. Due in large part by godless men who teach and practice lawlessness themselves and denying the Lord who had saved them from their sins only to fall back into them once again. The sow to the mud, the dog to its vomit. And these hirelings who herd the sheep will not guide them into the sheepfold but are herding them into the rapids to be thrown down upon the rocks below.
Harsh words? Am I being judgmental? Or are you unable to bear the truth because you have been living under the lies for so long? Trusting in men who themselves have been raised on lies, and who know nothing other than to reproduce those lies in ever-greater quantities with clever words and deceitful twisting of the Scriptures. Even those whose words sound well and are able teachers will still choose to disseminate lies based on personal interpretations because they have chosen to reject certain portions of the scriptures, or they have added to it, again, based on personal views, be it a man or a woman.
Teachings such as denying the Law, the Passover, (last supper ordinances) the gifts, discarding the Holy Days, observing pagan holidays, not getting the resurrection week correctly, misplacing Mt Sinai, the Red Sea Crossing, the trinity foolishness, denying hell, appointing women as shepherds or youth as “youth elders” and so much more they do contrary to the Scriptures. These people are choosing to do a run-around the Word, and to push verses into aligning with their interpretations, in short, rewriting the scriptures according to their theological views. And thousands upon thousands of books penned by men purporting to interpret the Scriptures have indeed brought the tares into the fields of wheat. The confusion is rampant, and the hearts and minds in disarray.
The Bible, as we in the English-speaking world know it, was given in our tongue to receive, believe and practice. But the numerous translations, revisions, studies, syntax, idioms, vernacular, archeological finds, and newest discoveries have, instead of unifying the body, increased the divisions and sown more confusion and have weakened the faith of millions. And the love of many is growing colder, the main reason being the increasing lawlessness. And I do not speak of the laws of men.
Now certainly the wickedness of this world has a detrimental role as we all, without fail can see, and it will become worse in our lifetimes. The Word speaks of the faith sown being snatched away by the wicked one, being rejected as the birds would eat seed, persecutions frightening others away, the cares and pleasures of the world ensnaring still others. But for those who hold fast, their faith will produce a harvest.
But those whose works are not keeping in line with the Word will find themselves very quickly in dire straits, in turbulent waters and clinging to rocky shores upon which a raging sea hurls itself. As Paul wrote, circumcision availeth little, keeping the commandments is everything. Yes, this same Paul whom many misquote and falsely misinterpret as doing away with the Law yet remonstrates them to keep the Law as do the other apostles of the Lord. Notwithstanding, many pastors deny this and call the people to listen to the lies that comes out of these false teacher's mouths. And as witnessed by heaven and earth, by the Father and His Son, and by the Holy Spirit, they indeed do choose the lies over the truth!
I have written this in short because you, to whom this is addressed, know of what I am speaking about. Whether you choose to listen or not is not my place to decide. I have only written this to warn you of the extreme dangers of rejecting sound doctrines only to have them replaced with the perverted teachings of men and women.
The Scriptures alone are our standard, not the foolishness of traditions or rituals or dogmas or creeds written by boards and those of “apostolic” offices. We are held to a much higher standard than what we have been led to believe which is why words such as what I write and others also, are strongly condemned and rejected by believers of today. Nonetheless, we shall continue until our lights are dimmed and our candles quenched. Our words will be rejected, our families deride us, friends will turn their faces and many Christians will raise their hands and voices in protest and condemnation and deliver us to the authorities in due time. But until then, we dare not cease from our labors, confess our weaknesses daily to the Lord Jesus, trust solely in Him and the Scriptures.
Cursed is the one who places their trust in man, whether pastor or politician, and not upon the Rock, which figuratively is the Lord Jesus Christ.
May you have a blessed Sabbath in the Lord.
In Christ I remain, your brother.
Edward L Ordway