Consider the Scripture where Paul often go from house to house, synagogue to synagogue to reason with those around him about the good news we have in Christ Jesus, using the Scriptures:
"As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,.." Acts 17:2 (niv)
There will be people who are eager to examine the Scriptures like the Bereans during the days of Paul:
"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11 (niv)
However, there will always be other group around them with a goal to bring the Scripture into disrepute:
"A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection." Acts 17:18 (niv)
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" 1 Corinthians 1:20 (niv)
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5 (niv)
Let me give you an example here. If I were to write a book about WWII with fictional characters, and decided to declare that Hitler conquered America and Churchhill and Roosevelt went into trial and German flags are flying above the White House, would that confuse people that are not "HISTORY BUFFS"? This would be uncalled for. It is ok to have "fictional characters" but to change the "real truth" by declaring America lost WWII is damaging! I remember a movie called, "Red Dawn" where they used fictional characters but Russia invaded America and their flags were flying above our buildings on our land. Though it's interesting and we just never know, it may happen.
The real issue is: there will be people with confusion from writers who intermingle the truth and a lie and our responsibility is to bring in the right facts and expose the real truth. That was exactly Paul's aim: to bring light (understanding) into the hearts of people who seeks the truth.
Therefore, there will be only a few who will believe in Jesus:
"But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them." Acts 17:34 (niv)
Examine everything!
"But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,.." Philippians 1:18 (niv)
1 comment:
Good blog on EXAMINE. We need to examine ourselves..listen to Paul!
RE: Lord's Supper...
And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Paul gave specific instructions on how the Lord's Supper should be observed:
We should take the Lord's Supper thoughtfully because we are proclaiming that Christ died for our sins. We should take it worthly, with due reverence, and respect. We should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sins or resentful attitude. In reality, no one is worthy to take the Lord's Supper. We are sinners saved by grace. That is why Paul wants us to observe the Lord's Supper with respect and thoughtfulness.
Remember, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
When Paul said unworthy manner, he was referring to church members who were rushing into without thinking of it's meaning.
So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. But if we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way. But when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:27-32
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