In my last TG entry (
http://hallockd.posterous.com/open-wide-to-us), I asked whether the folks in Corinth had drifted away after other (false?) teachers
precisely because they had not embraced (or had withdrawn from?) the Apostle Paul. Had they come to dislike Paul because of his dogmatism, his personality, his theological depth, or his expectation that they grow far more that they were interested in growing? We cannot know. But the question above raises a choice that God places before every man: Seek, find. Don't, don't.
From Moses (Deut 4:29), to Solomon (1 Chron 28:9; Prov 8:17)), to Jeremiah (29:11-15), to Jesus (Matt 7:7ff), to the author of Hebrews (11:6), God has made us a simple, concise, and profit-laden promise. If we seek Him, we will find Him. Which leaves those who don't find Him caught in a bind: Since they don't find, have they not sought?
Paul put it most starkly in his letter to the Thessalonian believers who had been confused by others about how the "end times" would play out. In the quote below, he is explaining how "the lawless one" will come and lead many astray.
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
Paul states very clearly that folks are deceived because they (1) "did not receive the love of the truth," and (2) "did not believe the truth." He also seems to imply that their "pleasure in wickedness" kept them from submitting themselves to the truth.
And that's the rub of the issue. Awhile back I suggested in TG (
http://hallockd.posterous.com/fudged-truth-again) that we cannot really know who is lying to us or not, whether we're talking politicians, theologians, or scientists. We are constantly fed information at home, at work, at school, and at church, that my be corrupted by underhanded means, but we don't ever know for sure.
Thus, it is important, essential, absolutely necessary, and (hmm, what other words can I put here to stress the need for diligence in study?) . . . Well let's just say that I, you, everyone needs to seek God and seek truth in His Word.
Father, you claim that wisdom cries out from the top of the street. But you also claim that folly does the same. We need you to help us sort out what we've come to believe. Help us ferret out the folly, the lies, the half-truths that we've bought into, thinking our sources were trustworthy. Help us "renew our minds" by letting your word challenge anything we already believe. Draw us to you and to your truth.
Posted via email from We've Encountered a Terrifying Grace
