5 Nov 2013 by Rev Jai Kumar –
casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bring every thought into captivity to the OBEDIENCE of CHRIST…
2 Cor 10:5
Would you believe it! 150 years ago, the so-called renowned best leaders of the church in the west manipulated the Word of God (Bible) to justify slavery.
Indeed, there is a good lesson that we can pick up from the gross mistakes done in the past. We use our head to manipulate the Word of God and thus we project a totally different image of God to the world. We have gone into different peoples group and focused on their culture and tradition instead of preaching the TRUTH to them. Unrealizingly, we become legalistic and controlling.
WE MANIPULATE GODS WORD TO OUR ADVANTAGE
Often we bend and twist the arm of God to justify our wants in life. The danger lies in deciding what we want and then using the Bible to justify it, instead of reading the whole counsel of God on any matter and bringing our thinking and lifestyle into agreement with it.
Paul says,"Do not be wise in your own opinion." We frighten people off by imposing legalistic requirements upon them little realizing that by polishing the outward man is not going to transform the inner man! (Rom 12:16b)
Paul refers to this attitude as arrogant! rebellious! pride! He says this kind of thinking is absolutely opposed to the true knowledge of God.
David prayed, "Oh Lord….Make my way straight before me." because he didn't dare trust his own way(.Ps.5:8 ) "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Ps 32:8)
GOD SPEAKS ALL THE TIME
You know what? God's voice is not that difficult to hear. In fact you have to either close your eyes or ears to miss it!. He constantly speaks to us through so many different ways in our daily lives. And the greatest way by which He speaks to us is through the LIVING WORD, the 66 books. It's right there!
God's Word will never fail you neither will it lead you astray! It is the greatest gift to mankind. You can absolutely count on it all the time! It is the most balanced solution to man's absolute need for living.
SUBMIT TO THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD
Paul said, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:27)
When people are not willing to submit to the whole counsel of God in confronting decisions making then they go off balanced. When the most powerful tool of the holy spirit is missing in your direction, then it is not God's business but man's business!
You know what? If you are wise, you should filter what you believe to be the will of God in the direction that you are heading today. Unfortunately, so often we have justified so many undertakings in our ministry! In our decisions! In our lives! As being God's will! But sadly, we discover later on, down the line, many years after, that we have been wrong about the whole thing! How do you get it right? Bring every thought and undertaking in obedience to Christ and be prepared to submit to the whole counsel of God!.
The Gospel is one balanced Gospel!, A life transforming Gospel! And it is given to all the nations of the world irrespective of what tradition or culture you may belong to. It is not an exported Gospel! Neither is it a Gospel given to undo your identity, culture or tradition!
GOD BLESS YOU RICHLY.
Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is the founder and pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL. He is also a member of ECCM, spiritual overseer for Full Gospel Christian Church KL, co-founder of the Kingdom Christian Fellowshp Subang Jaya, and also the author of a book entitled, 'God's Time Clock.'
References for pictures:
http://miriadna.com/desctopwalls/images/max/Gloomy-weather.jpg
http://cafewitteveen.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/remote-control-500×500.jpg
http://sciway2.net/2002/a29k/blackpic5.jpg
http://richpnifong.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/God_speaks_by_yentl16.jpg
http://www.boazbaptist.com/light_bible.jpg
Note: The Cartoon under the 'WE MANIPULATE GODS WORD TO OUR ADVANTAGE' section is meant as a sardonic look at those who twist God's Word to their purposes, and not as a reflection of the meaning or opinion of the writer of the article.
Just a gentle reminder, The caption and the balloon below " We MANUPULATE GODS WORD TO OUR ADVANTAGE" seems to convey a different meaning from the writers point of view.