-->
II
Timothy 3:5 – “Having a form of godliness but denying its power.
And from such people turn away!”
Growing
up we went to Myrtle Beach, SC on our family vacations. We would always stop in Columbia, SC at the S
& S Cafeteria. We loved the choices
they had on the menu. Some restaurants
offer only a limited menu, but a cafeteria has different kinds of meats,
vegetables, and desserts to choose from.
As consumers we love to have choices.
Grocery stores carry different brands and sizes of the same items.
We
often approach the Word of God with this same consumerism. We want to pick and choose what we
believe. If Scripture disagrees with our
lifestyle or choices we just disregard it.
This is Cafeteria Theology. The
Apostle Paul defines this in as “having a form of godliness.”
Partial
obedience is disobedience. I Samuel
15:22 says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to
obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.” II Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
When
we choose to reject the teachings of Scripture we place more value in our own
opinions and culture than on the Word of God.
The Lord gave the following promise to Joshua conditioned upon making
His Word a priority. Joshua 1:8 says, “This
Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that
is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will
have good success.”
The
Psalmist wrote Psalms 119:9-11, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking
heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh,
let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.” We
must honor the Word by memorizing and meditating in it. Jesus spoke these words
in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have
eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
We
must obey the principles and precepts of God’s Word. James, the half-brother of our Lord wrote in
James 2:9, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point,
he is guilty of all.” We must make the
Scriptures a priority in our life. They
will be a source of hope, comfort, and joy.
Comments