The books of the Holy Bible (1) are packed with references warning us not to stray from the written Word and to beware of those who preach against it and/or live in a manner that contradicts its teachings. Many in today's world - including some Christians - have stated that our society "has evolved" since the time Jesus Christ (2) walked the Earth and, therefore, the Bible is "outdated" and needs "revising" or "updating."

This opinion contradicts many Old Testament (3) & New Testament (4) verses (Isaiah 44:6 and 48:12, Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13, Romans 8:7-8, James 4:4, Hebrews 1:12, 7:24, 13:8, 1 John 2:15-16, 2 John 1:7-11, Revelation 1:8 and 1:17 to list but a few of many) that proclaim we either:

a) honor, serve and do our humanly best to emulate a God of consistency. He is The One who never wavers with public opinion (1 Samuel 15:24), does not conform to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2), does not straddle fences (1 Kings 18:21) or cave to desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21). He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

OR

b) we don't.

There is no "in between," "updating" or "revising" required, only a complete and unconditional surrender to the King we say we are followers of. We must bend to His desires, not the other way around.

Jesus Christ Himself spoke unceasingly about how any of us who claim to be His followers are to carry our cross daily (5) to follow Him (Matthew 10:38, Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34-35, Luke 14:27 & John 12:26). When we are met with resistance in today's world about the steadfast teachings of Jesus Christ, we have two options: Pick up our Cross and follow Jesus OR turn our back on Him and follow any other way. There is no middle ground to stand on or fence post to straddle. Again turning to the God-inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17), footnotes to Revelation 3:15-16 share with us that "a halfhearted commitment to the faith is nauseating to Christ." Instead, we are to possess zeal, enthusiasm and be fervent of Spirit (Romans 12:11). This is the ultimate challenge which has eternal consequences. The Good News is that we have a choice and, today, let us choose to follow Jesus Christ. Amen!
 
Whether we are at Church on Sunday or at the supermarket on Tuesday, how do we know when we are hearing the Truth of Jesus Christ (John 14:6) as opposed to when we are hearing anything else, to include False Teachers? The great evangelizer and author of a majority of the New Testament, Paul of Tarsus (6), exhorts in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 that we are to "test everything; hold on to what is good." To be more specific, Paul is telling us we need to know what the Word says so we can discern upon what we are hearing. Does what we are hearing line up with the Scriptures OR is it a false teaching?
 
Peter encourages us in 1 Peter 2:2, "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." After a seasonal period, we are to be weaned from that milk and, in place, seek out solid spiritual food- the fresh manna of Jesus Christ. The Holy Scriptures serve as the very touchstone by which to be nourished.

If we don't know what the Good News has to say about a certain issue, how can we be obedient and do what God says to do about it? James 1:22 exhorts "Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

We're grateful for many forewarnings outlined in both Old (ex: Hosea 4:6) and New (ex: Matthew 7:24-27) Testament Scriptures that spell out what is to take place if we adhere to or stray from what God wants us to do. The Good News is also relentless in teaching about kingdoms and their inhabitants- once very righteous in the eyes of God- who ultimately perished for falling off of the Vine they were called to remain upon. They chose, instead, to follow their own way, their own understanding and their own flesh. Akin to children under the tutelage of sound parents, we can avoid the consequences of disobeying our Father in Heaven. Instead, we can learn and follow His teachings, thereby giving Him the praise, honor and glory He so richly deserves.

Share this with friends, family & strangers alike and consider using the PDF document offered in the lower sidebar as a resource for Bible Studies (7), small Faith sharing groups, Christian Education (8) and/or any Next Steps (9) gathering! Spread the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Modifications are welcome at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com.

FOOTNOTES
 

(1) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-good-news

(2) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

(3) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/old-testament

(4) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

(5) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/carry-your-cross

(6) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/ambassador-in-chains

(7) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/bible-studies

(8) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/christian-education

(9) http://www.downriverdisciples.com/next-steps

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES

Genesis 3:1, Deuteronomy 13:1-9, 1 Samuel 8:10-18, Psalms 50:16-23, Isaiah 42:14-23, Isaiah 43:8, Isaiah 52:5, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 6:13-21, Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:1-40, Ezekiel 13:3-4, Hosea 4:1-12, Amos 6:12, Micah 2:11.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES
 

Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:15-20, Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 10:37-39, Matthew 13:13-16, Matthew 23:1-39, Matthew 24:11-12, Matthew 24:23-25, Mark 7:6-9 & 13, Mark 12:38-40, Mark 13:5-6, Mark 13:22, Luke 6:43-45, Luke 11:37-52, Luke 12:8-10, Luke 20:45-47, John 8:37 & 44-45 & 47, John 9:41, Acts 4:12, Acts 15:19-20, Acts 17:11, Acts 20:29, Romans 1:18-32, Romans 8:7-8, Romans 11:8, Romans 11:25-27, Romans 12:2, Romans 15:4, Romans 16:17-20, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15,  2 Corinthians 13:5, Galatians 1:6-10, Galatians 3:1-3, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 1:17, Ephesians 2:1-3, Ephesians 4:14, Ephesians 5:6-13, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 3:1-4, Philippians 3:17-21, Colossians 2:4-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, 1 Timothy 1:3-7, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:1-5, 1 Timothy 6:12, 1 Timothy 6:20-21, 2 Timothy 2:14,  2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, Titus 1:7-14, Titus 3:10-11, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-27, Hebrews 10:32, James 3:13-18, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Peter 2:1-22, 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 3:3-4, 2 Peter 3:15-17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 John 2:18-23, 1 John 4:1-6, 2 John 7-11, 3 John 9-11, Jude 3-19, Revelation 13:1-10, Revelation 22:16-19.