Heart of Kim

I just finished reading the fiction, “The Shack” by William P. Young.  It was definitely ”off the wall” and “out of the box”.   I found it rather amusing and full of insight into the secret places of thought and internal discourse that are common to the  human condition. Tragedy, pain or loss usually lead to eternal questions and  the emotions that accompany those questions.   I thought the writers imagination in characterization and discourse uniquely used earthly things and people to convey spiritual truths to a vast range of potential readers. I did not necessarily agree with every single word or sentence of every doctrinal issue that was touched on in the fictitious story,  but I did agree with the overall concept of the book which was  that God is a good God who loves us,  He never leaves or forsakes us and that He is just and kind and can be trusted even in the midst of sadness and tragedy. 

  But, what amazed me is the reviews I found after I read the book.  Reviews of distrust and accusations of heresy were easy to be found on the internet.    Once again I found the “Religious Watchdog” mentality had emerged with all its fury and opinion and divisive language. I am absolutely amazed at the policing of the Gospel.  There are those who believe they have been made law enforcers and trial judges of anyone proclaiming the Gospel.  Yes,  there is error and many times gross error that is mixed in with the proclaiming of the Gospel.  However, the proclaimers and the hearers are each responsible for their proclamation and the hearing of it, respectively.  There will be no excuses on judgement day.  We cannot stand before God and say, “well that’s not fair, cause so and so said………………..”.   Each person has a right to seek truth.  Jesus said He was Truth.  Each person has the opportunity to go to the scriptures  and acquaint themselves with the Truth.  I for one will NOT base my eternal destiny just on what someone says!   Each and every person has a free will and each person is free to choose  or reject Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. God is just.  God is faithful.  God will honor each persons choice. Each and every person will stand face to face with God one day and those who have accepted that Jesus Christ died for them will have no record of sin because the blood of Jesus has completely washed it away.  Those people will have used their free will and accepted the free gift of salvation. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

There are many sources of input coming from every kind of direction.  We live in “the information age”.   Each time we hear anything we should be well versed in scripture so that we may be able to discern what is being said and we should have established a relationship with the Holy Spirit so that He can help witness truth and error to us personally.   What a mess it is to absorb “everything” you hear.  If you do you will end up in confusion.  We are to “rightly divide the Word of God”.  We are to pray and believe we receive a “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that the eyes of our understanding is enlightened”!  There is plenty of deceit to go around where spiritual issues are concerned.  That’s why it is absolutely imperative that we forever settle once and for all the basic doctrinal issues put forth in the Word of God.  We should not let others do all of our thinking for us.  We should become familiar with the Truth so that we can “eat the chicken and spit our the bones”.   Learn to converse with the Spirit of God yourself.  Yes, we can learn from each other, yes, we should be planted and submitted to a pastor, however, don’t just  swallow everything you hear without checking with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.  There you will find safety.

The Word is “line upon line, and precept upon precept”.  We are transformed from “glory to glory”.  In other words, there are somethings that we cannot understand unless we have built a foundation to support the understanding of that concept.  I appreciate the Lord building safety valves into our christian growth process.  He is a loving Father and just as we would not ask a third grade student to understand and comprehend a tenth graders geometry or calculus or literature, etc.,  nor will God.  The key here is to study to show “yourself” approved, a workman unto God, not being ashamed.  If you don’t understand something then ask the Lord for revelation of that thing.  He will reveal unto you comprehension of that thing in a way that you can understand.   

Everytime you read a book or an article, watch a television program or movie or even listen to a preacher or teacher…… it is wise to weigh everything that is said with the Word of God.  Allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light of understanding into your heart and mind about such things. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are trusted companions to keep you out of error.  

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

2 Timothy 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.