Yea, Hath God said? And so it began and continues up to this very hour.
Satan asked Eve that question, and today, we are continuing to do the same by questioning the Bible’s record and leaning upon our understanding and the interpretations of others instead of trusting in the one who created all things out of nothing. It’s called faith; without it, we cannot possibly please God.
New Bible revisions are produced yearly with new material, discoveries, and theological concourses for the masses of dubious faith to travel upon. Anything at all except faith by which we should firmly stand. And this all adds to more confusion, not building up the faith, but more questions, doubts, differing views, and teachers casting yet more shadows upon the integrity of God’s written word and the words of Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. Thus, the wheat and tares are grown together.
We are learning but unable to come to the truth because we doubt what we read and so we search out newer revelations to increase our understanding. However, during the process, we become lost in translation, confused by the many differing opinions, and led astray by those posturing themselves as teachers when, in fact, they are sowers of confusion. As a result, they undermine the very faith we claim to possess.
Case in point: Moses led Israel through the Red Sea, between the walls of water to the other side, in safety, whereas the waters engulfed the Egyptians who attempted to follow, and all were drowned, both men and horses, so that not a single one escaped. However, when you look at any Bible map, not a single one shows that passage, but all without fail, showing Moses leading them along the shoreline despite massive evidence to the contrary. And again, the real Mt Sinai is in modern-day Saudi Arabia and not the ludicrous place claimed by an emperor’s mother, despite, once again, overwhelming physical evidence.
Evidence is provided to and denied by those whose faith lacks substance. And why? Did God really say?
People today do not believe what the Bible teaches, and that being the case, neither will they believe what Jesus taught because of some dubious claims in newly discovered manuscripts that run contrary to the Biblical narrative, such as the gospel of Thomas, that Judas was saved, or that Jesus had relations with a woman whose descendants are the elite families of Europe! Tickle the ears and bind the eyes as the pit awaits the foolish ones led astray by the thoughtless. Pastor and sheep alike.
The current trend today is the desire to know the original languages such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek because by so doing, some feel that they will know the original intent and thereby will be able to more fully understand better than most what God is “trying” to say. That is utter foolishness, for God can speak to every man, woman, and child in their language, and they will completely understand. I daresay better than those who seek the elitist status of scholarly intellectualism, which has often brought more confusion and weariness of mind than peace and trust.
Case in point: there is nothing wrong with using the veritable King James Version. It has done its work faithfully for over four hundred years despite the continuing onslaughts by newer translations and the many established teachers, authors, linguists, and translators. It is easy enough for a child to understand it quickly after a mere few minutes, so why can’t an adult? They have been told that it is archaic and out of reach; therefore, understanding it is to complex for today’s modern believers. When that is true, then nothing is truthful anymore, and no translation can be trusted because all are continually being revised to adapt to the slipping intelligence of modern man, meaning the languages and social trends, and turning to the burgeoning class of scholarly priests who alone can understand the mysteries of scripture. Just as it was in the Dark Ages, it is coming around full circle, for as King Solomon once said, there is nothing new under the sun. What has been will be again. It can be seen that what is happening is a reliance on the regurgitated class of Biblical interpreters who will teach the religious ones because only they will possess the keys of understanding, and eventually, the Bible will be banned for all. They must then attend a state-sanctioned church led by state-approved pastors. Sounds familiar? Look no further than China, which the Western nations view as a role model for this new/ancient tyranny.
All you need to do is believe what is written and act upon it, stop pursuing contrary teachings, commentaries, books, films, and fiction writings, and put your trust in His word by discarding all else, for isn’t your salvation the reason for believing? And if you doubt the words of God by questions, then are you not undermining the faith you are trying to grow in? Look around you to find those of solid faith and trust whose lives speak volumes of the Lord they love. You will not find them quoting authors, reading worthless dime novels, pursuing well-known teachers, or church hopping. Such men and women are volatile in their faith like the surface of the sea and have more in common with a hollow reed than with a faithful believer whose trust in the Lord will not be shaken, and anyone leaning their hand upon them will have it pierced.
You should realize that by doubting God’s words, you are doubting Jesus also, and in effect, you are denying him. And you know the outcome of rejecting him, don’t you? He will deny you. How terrible the feeling will be when instead of hearing the words, well done, faithful servant, the shocking words would be, depart from me ye that practiced lawlessness, and then the cries of utter despair as the heart drops out from under and the strength fails with which to remain standing. Then the holy angel will bind you hand and foot to bring you to the fiery lake. All because you did not trust in the one whom you claimed to follow but denied him by denying his words.
These are not words of fiction but facts based upon his words, both written and spoken and attested to by his disciples and apostles and, lastly, by John in his letter of Revelation. But many illustrious preachers, authors, and religious leaders deny this and condemn those who would and turn them away from the truth unto their lies, thereby sealing their doom as well as their own because they did not believe when they had heard the truth. And it is regrettable to witness this great apostasy taking place within the body that calls itself the bride of Christ but indeed practices whoredoms and spiritual adulteries.
As the word says so truthfully,
THAT THIS IS A REBELLIOUS PEOPLE, LYING CHILDREN, CHILDREN THAT WILL NOT HEAR THE LAW OF THE LORD. WHICH SAY TO THE SEERS, SEE NOT; AND TO THE PROPHETS, PROPHESY NOT UNTO US RIGHT THINGS, SPEAK UNTO US SMOOTH THINGS, PROPHESY DECEITS: GET YOU OUT OF THE WAY, TURN ASIDE OUT OF THE PATH, CAUSE THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL TO CEASE FROM BEFORE US. - book of Isaiah.
Don’t think to yourselves that this word was given only to them of a bygone era, for the word of the Lord is sharper than a two-edged sword and can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart and divide the soul and the spirit while cutting deep into the heart of a sinful man, regardless of time. And these times are upon us once again. Therefore, the word of the Lord is still valid and accurate, and his words never fail to reach those to whom they are intended to reach, namely us. But we are obstinate, stubborn, and rebellious despite our words of the opposite. We are judgmental, accusative, and unforgiving. Divisive, unmerciful, arrogant and proud. Vain, indiscreet, honoring the words of men more than the words of Christ with pretentious outward forms of religiosity, while the inwards are filled with vile things that we are unwilling to surrender.
This is this generation of those who call themselves believers but are ready to stone those who walk as Abraham and Jesus did, in faith and obedience to God, unlike the churlish ones of today. Please ask yourselves this: how good is my faith when I will not walk in obedience to the commands of God, questioning all his directives and cherry-picking at will as I see fit? Is this faith? Indeed, most certainly not! These are the fruits of open hypocrisy thoroughly mixed with compromises, unable to bond with the word any more than iron and clay. You cannot drink sweet water and salt from the same spring and think to grow in grace and knowledge tempered with love and obedience while harboring doubts and practicing deceit and calling yourselves after the one who has called you into his fellowship. You are greatly deceived when you live and practice such things.
If we call ourselves believers then shouldn’t we be walking as he did? Shouldn’t we be living in faith as our Lord Jesus did who never put into question a single one of the Father’s commands nor rebelled against his authority as we are openly doing to this day? To do so makes an open mockery of the cross of Christ, considering it of little value as we promote our opinions and views and judge God’s word according to our personal interpretations and those of the false teachers whom many call their pastors. And that is because the spirit of rebellion, masquerading as the Holy Spirit, resides within their hearts. As I have already mentioned and will again, the Holy Spirit will never lead a true believer into sin and disobedience against the written and living word of God, but a lying spirit will. And you will know them by their fruits.
Many are those teachers who sound good and speak with forcefulness and conviction but nonetheless, practice and teach lawlessness to those who listen and do as taught by them, and the pit awaits them all, followed by the judgment. Did Christ die so that we may continue in sin? God forbid. So why the continued persistance in unbelief? Because they refuse the faith needed to enter into his rest, and that faith requires an absolute trust and obedience to his words without doubting anything. And many will not accept that, therefore, they will not enter into his rest.
TAKE HEED, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF, IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD. - book of Hebrews.
And again,
OF HOW MUCH SORER PUNISHMENT, SUPPOSE YE, SHALL HE BE THOUGHT WORTHY , WHO HATH TRODDEN UNDER FOOT THE SON OF GOD, AND HATH COUNTED THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT, WHEREWITH HE WAS SANCTIFIED, AN UNHOLY THING AND HATH DONE DESPITE UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE? FOR WE KNOW HIM THAT HATH SAID, VENGEANCE BELONGETH UNTO ME, I WILL RECOMPENSE, SAITH THE LORD. AND AGAIN, THE LORD SHALL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. IT IS A FEARFUL THING TO FALL INTO THE HANDS OF THE LIVING GOD. - book of Hebrews.
An evil heart of unbelief, and the writer of Hebrews was speaking of believers. And are we also not believers, and if so then this letter is written to us just as well. And we are to take these words seriously to heart by not discounting them as historical writings but as an epistle to our hearts and minds. A warning to not have an evil heart of unbelief, but I ask you, are you not doubting God’s words when you question him? And when questions arise because of a doubting heart then disbelief is not far behind, and what follows are private interpretations which will bring on the evil heart that we have been solemnly warned about to the detriment of our souls. And there are very many who are acting in such a fashion, and it has brought within them a heart of disbelief which you now know becomes an evil heart.
When the Lord said to keep his Sabbaths, but you won’t, is this an unbelieving heart? You question the commandment and refuse to obey it because it does not fit into your personal or theological interpretation or that of your pastor. Therefore, you have annulled the commandment of God by becoming a judge of his law. The unbelieving heart thus reveals itself. Or when you are told to keep his Passover and yet refuse to. Is this another example of an evil heart at work? Or what about honoring your father and mother, which you will not do but have chosen to condemn and speak evil of them by becoming their judges? Is this also not coming from the evilness of your hearts? Can’t you see where doubts are taking you? It is not too late to turn away from this slippery slope, and serve the Lord with uprightness of heart filled with faith and good works. But you need to turn away from the lying pastors and hirelings who call themselves shepherds and follow the great shepherd of your souls, the Lord Jesus Christ.
THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN NOR UNDERSTOOD: FOR HE HATH SHUT THEIR EYES, THAT THEY CANNOT SEE; AND THEIR HEARTS, THAT THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND. - book of Isaiah.
This is what God will do to those who refuse to listen and repent of their hard and disbelieving hearts. They will continue to live in disbelief and doubt his words and challenge him by refusing to obey his commandments, and it is a sad and horrible thing to witness. They tell all who will listen how much they love the Lord, but their actions make void their claims. The end results will not be what they are expecting.
NOT EVERYONE THAT SAITH UNTO ME, LORD, LORD, SHALL ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN. MANY WILL SAY TO ME IN THAT DAY, LORD, LORD, HAVE WE NOT PROPHESIED IN THY NAME? AND IN THY NAME HAVE CAST OUT DEVILS? AND IN THY NAME DONE MANY WONDERFUL WORKS? AND THEN WILL I PROFESS UNTO THEM, I NEVER KNEW YOU: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK INIQUITY. - book of Matthew.
As you can read for yourself, entrance into the kingdom of God will not be for everyone who claims to be his follower, but only for those who did the will of his Father in heaven, just as Jesus did the will of his Father here on earth. Doing the will of the Father means subjecting our will to his in complete submission. While Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, praying in agony as his disciples slept soundly a short distance away, the scriptures record these heart-wrenching words;
AND HE WAS WITHDRAWN FROM THEM ABOUT A STONE’S CAST, AND KNEELED DOWN, AND PRAYED, SAYING, FATHER, IF THOU BE WILLING, REMOVE THIS CUP FROM ME: NEVERTHELESS, NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE, BE DONE. AND THERE APPEARED AN ANGEL UNTO HIM FROM HEAVEN, STRENGTHENING HIM. AND BEING IN AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY: AND HIS SWEAT WAS AS IT WERE GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD FALLING DOWN TO THE GROUND. - book of Luke.
The cost of faith is the life of the one asking for it. There is absolutely no middle ground in the realm of faith, love and obedience because its all or nothing at all. Sunshine Christianity is a fable rooted in feeble minds because a cross awaits the faithful in Christ. Those who love the Lord will suffer persecutions as the Lord Jesus had foretold so that we should not be caught unawares when it happens, and it will happen. When the Son of God prayed that the cup may pass then know for certain that the price can cost you your life, but as the Son prayed, what were his words? NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE. And this must be our prayer in all things, and no prayer comes without a fight, and no fight comes without shedding tears and blood. And the Father’s will must be done. Not mine, not yours but His will be done. Forget all the one-liners and cliches about the kingdom being a growing one or any other silliness which detracts from the hope we have in Christ, but know the will of the Father, and let it be settled in your hearts and minds to do His will regardless of the cost.
There is a cross to carry for the faithful in Christ, and such brethren must point the way for others to follow. What the world did to Jesus, they will do to his followers as well, meaning you and I. We are not to be timid or fearful but to be trusting him in all things, even unto death because our faithfullness to him shall result in a crown of life, if we hold firm unto the end. Don’t doubt, don’t have a heart of unbelief and disobedience, but practice faithfulness at all times and persevere through all trials and temptations in prayer and fastings.
When others have chosen to rely upon their opinions and understandings and the false teachers, that doesn’t mean that you have to do the same. Don’t followthem or their pernacious ways regardless of how good they sound and how well they know the scriptures. Remember, the Holy Spirit will never lead you into sin or rebellion and will never contradict the scriptures! And by their fruits you shall know them, so pay careful attention lest you be carried away by diverse doctrines and clever words.
Believe the word of God, especially remaining exceedingly diligent in these wicked days of false teachings, pompous words and vain persons seeking to elevate themselves among the careless brethren, who, not grounded in the word, are being swept into apostasy because of a lack of faith and knowledge. Unwilling to be subjected to the law of God and the commandments of Jesus, our Lord, and have given themselves over to strange doctrines, fables and personal interpretations, they have not only deceived themselves, but are deceiving others as well. The result being denied entrance into the kingdom of heaven with great bitterness, tears, and gnashing of teeth.
My brethren, don’t be counted among those who are falling away into perdition, but strengthen one another and be faithful to him who has called you into fellowship with his son. There is great reward waiting for those who are called in Christ and remain true until the end of all things. Give all glory, honor and praise to the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I remain a brother to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Edward L Ordway