(doctrine + devotion, part 2)
I’ve heard of guys who test outlets with their fingers. That’s right, when they want to check if an outlet has power running to it they just cram their fingers into the fixture. If they get a jolt they know the switch needs to be turned off.
Well that is certainly is a way to get instant feedback isn’t it?
Imagine you are talking to a guy who is trying to convince you that there is no power in an outlet there in front of you. He’s got a whole speech planned out and clever illustrations. He’s very convincing. This fella is waxing eloquent on the lack of power to said receptacle. He’s made a believer out of you. There is no power in that outlet. But at the end of all his yammering there is a test. Put your digit in that there electrical box and let’s see what happens. Stop yapping and prove it already.
I think that we are encouraged to do just that, metaphorically speaking of course, with our faith. This was certainly a subject that Paul discussed (2Cor 13:5) and that John talked about (1John 2:4). And let us not forget, for the “I just want to love Jesus” crowd, that no one was stronger on this issue than Jesus Himself (Luke 6:46; 7:16; 14:26; 9:23; Rev 3:16). Surely there is no more polarizing individual than Jesus Himself (Mat 10:34). Proximity to Jesus necessitates reaction and the disciple of Christ is marked by obedience to Him not by some goofy untestable lip service for Him. In fact lip service without follow-up is especially repugnant to the Lord (Mat 15:8; Isa 29:13; Mal 2:13). Do we really need a proof text for this? Obviously we do because we have all kinds of places that deal with the subject. What springs to my mind right now is the letter of James – a diatribe against the works-less faith. Of course obedience is a litmus test as to the authenticity of your belief, why else is baptism so closely connected to salvation?
Our brother, the Apostle John, comes directly at this issue in the letter of 1John where he is essentially saying that your salvation is not proved by some oddball esoteric, intangible, knowledge (outside of the pages of Scripture). No, the evidence of salvation is manifested in your daily life and choices. Notice the emphasis on “practice” in 1John 3:4-10 as well as his statement, “I write these things to you that you might know that you have eternal life.” (1John 5:13) The context of his point is on deeds not on “do I feel saved today” gut instinct. Are you loving the brotherhood? Are you walking in the light of the revealed will of God i.e. do you obey the Bible? *
I don’t want to sound like a jerk by laboring the point but I believe there is no greater evil than to convince someone they are at peace with God when in fact they are at war. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was not in convincing the world that he didn’t exist. No, his greatest trick is convincing you that you and God are friends when in fact you are going to burn forever in the fires of hell along with him. So be sure that you pass the test (2Cor 13:5). It’s not like I am making mountains out of mole hills here. This is a large issue in Scripture; it’s not isolated to a few obscure passages.
Right devotion stems from right doctrine. And no one can have proper devotion without proper doctrine. In order for the truth to set you free you must actually know the truth – not some convoluted half-truth. Devotion and emotion flow from the fountain of what you believe to be true. Right, true, perfect devotion finds its source in the rightly divided Word of truth. Timothy is warned to pay close attention to himself and his teaching (1Tim 4:16). Let me reemphasize that, Timothy, who sat at the feet of Paul, travelled with him, was repeatedly called a “true son” in the faith – that Timothy was told to pay attention to himself and to his teaching, his doctrine. If our buddy Tim needed to be warned like that how much more do we!
So test yourself. Look at your life and don’t live with the vague concept that you are the Lord’s. To live a life as an uncertain disciple may be the greatest act of negligence that one can perform.
Are you the Lord’s? Does God guide the course of your feet or do you? Who sheds the light upon your way? Is it your own brilliance and experience? Or do you exercise faith by choosing His course over what your eyes see?
The disciple of Christ can only remain ambiguous for so long. Nicodemus was a secret follower only until the death of our Lord. The time came when he had to play his hand and his allegiance became known. If you have been straddling the fence now is the time to awaken. Now is the time to be stirred to action. Live out your faith. Have a faith that is visible by the actions you choose – that all may know the God you claim and come to the knowledge of His grace and glory.
My prayers are with you to see to it that this happens.
*Does this mean we are sinless? Hardly! It means a growth in holiness and a desire to walk in the light. It means a growing conformity to the image of Christ. Many people claim to be a Christian and yet look more and more like the Devil year by year. How else can this be interpreted except as apostasy?
