The Bible and Errors 2

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7: 13 – 15)

Last time I mentioned the Bible as a road map for the traveler on a journey to Christ.

I also said that on that journey focus on the scenery can obstruct or distract.

Let us look at this journey differently today.

Jesus here talks of a way and a gate.

People have called it the straight and narrow, of course because strait and straight pronounce the same.

But there is a difference, a big one.

Strait is restrictive as in straitjacket. Think of a brace or plaster of Paris (though I never went to France when I had it). There are bounds in that road.

It would be easier to relate this journey to a tight rope walk or something similar.

Everything is there to be enjoyed but a distraction is destructive. You can’t afford to lose focus even for a moment. Look at these verses.

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1Thessalonians 5: 4 – 8)

Sobriety is what is expected of this journey. And of course focus, on the map, that is. A distraction is disastrous.

That is why I insisted that people overly conscious of the sideshows are possibly not on the way. And it is because it is impossible to concentrate on the scenery (others) and still avoid the snares by the side of the road. I know you know that spectators are the ones most ‘informed’ of any game for obvious reasons. It is ‘sad’ that they do not get into the field to put their expertise in practice!

In our faith, they are the ones who most see our hypocrisy and lack of love. They are the ones who see through those ‘questionable’ verses and doctrines. And of course they are the ones who are loudest when we call them to account for their faith, ‘judge not’ being their most famous verse even though they may not know where it is in the Bible.

The journey is hazardous enough without having to worry about where fornication starts between a looong holding of hands and actual sex. There are enough guidelines in the scripture to haggle about how thin or wide we draw the line.

The Bible calls on us to flee fornication; not debate or understand it. We are also advised to flee any appearance of evil. Ever read this?

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesians 5: 3 – 5)

Debating on the boundaries and when exactly it becomes sin is the preserve of the spectator. The athlete will not waste any time arguing on the presumed dangers of not eating right. A singer has no qualms stopping any intake of sugar and does not need researchers to bring in the evidence. They just avoid anything they ‘SUSPECT’ could compromise their performance.

Look at this other verse

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1Corinthians 10:12)

This is not talking about spectators. Only those in the journey need this warning.

Even extra instruction can distract. In fact it is destructive most times. And it is because it is only useful for beautifying the map.

I have read the apocrypha. It is a good historical piece (many). But I didn’t see it helping me on my journey.

I have read Ellen G. White and Joseph Smith and William Branham and many other ‘inspired’ leaders. I need to say that until very recently I read anything I laid my hands on.

Though good writing (not all of it), it fails for the most part in pretending to be the road map instead of pointing to it.

Incidentally, your favorite preacher, teacher or writer will fall in that category if and when they do not direct you to the road map (scripture) for instruction and behave as if they are enough instruction.

I have made enemies as I interacted with keyboard warriors rooting for their conman for this reason. If everything they do points to the main guy (or girl), then I am justified to call them conmen. If they make their congregation dependent on them, I will not be scared of calling them out.

Do not even mention miracles as Pharaoh’s magicians did not produce ropes when Moses produced a snake.

Incidentally, even I can easily fall into that folly. If my writing does not direct you to Christ and His word, trash me immediately. I am not a map, just a pointer to it. Look at John

He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (John 1:23)

This incidentally the person Christ called the greatest. He called himself the pointer to Christ. Look also at this verse I so love

He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)

That is the best way to be pointers. We fade as our object appears. We do not fight to remain relevant after we have pointed at the object of our purpose. Sadly I think that may be the reason ministers will be in hell as Matthew 7: 21 – 23 says.

Our journey is tough without having to worry about our self importance and fulfillment.

Let me close by mentioning this

Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (Mathew 23:24)

Jesus is here talking about teachers who specialise in trivialities and magnify trite. They double sieve and filter to get rid of a mosquito yet have no qualms swallowing a camel. They are so accurate describing small issues yet vague concerning actual sin.

Where is holiness as we speak about all these smooth doctrines? Where is charity when we are falling over ourselves to prove that an Old Testament practice (tithing) is still valid? Why then do we not manage it like the Old Testament advocates? Why do we only select the verses and passages that support our staining at gnats?

You see, the Bible is a unity with an object it is pointing to; Christ. Everything else will fall in place when we maintain that focus.

If we focus ONLY on Christ and His word, do we realize that we will then have the perfect doctrine without needing to go for all those courses? We will not be struggling with sin as we will be in complete harmony with the Object of our pursuit and worship. We will not be easily swept aside by any conniving or convincing teacher to follow him as we have the TEACHER with and in us.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. FOR IT IS GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO OF HIS GOOD PLEASURE. (Philippians 2: 12, 13)