The Light That Leads To Darkness | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: The Light That Leads To Darkness | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
01/16/24
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Most of us are familiar with a high wire or tightrope act in which the performers must maintain their balance, or risk serious injury or death, especially if attempted without the benefit of a safety net.
Many such performers make use of a balance pole.

In the same way, the accurate interpretation and application of the Word of God requires the use of a “balance pole” that keeps one from leaning (1) to the right or the left (2) preventing a catastrophe in one’s spiritual life.

The intangible balance pole in the spiritual realm involves taking into consideration ALL of the verses of Scripture that address any given subject.

By only using selected verses of Scripture, a clever communicator (3) can make the Bible appear to say just about anything he or she desires.

A pastor-teacher’s worst nightmare is to discover flaws in the teaching or accompanying practices that he has promoted.

Equally upsetting, is for an individual to discover flaws in what he or she had been led to believe about God or the things of God.

For the most part, promoters of false religion do so out of ignorance, often times with the best of intentions.

But having the best of intentions does not guarantee a positive outcome. As the old saying goes, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Fear, pride, arrogance, and an unwillingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone, are among the greatest hurdles to overcome when conducting 2Cor. 13:5 self-examination and making the necessary changes.

Apostasy WITHIN the Christian Community has been there all along, and will reach its zenith (4) just before the Rapture (5) takes place.
The epistles that later became New Testament Scripture, were originally letters of reprimand, that were sent to the developing 1st Century local assemblies.

As of 96 AD, the last book of what we now refer to as the Bible was completed. There never was, is, or will be, the need to disobediently (6) add anything to it, but there is the ongoing need to correctly (7) interpret and apply it to the Church Age in which we are presently living.

When religious leadership fails to interpret and apply the Word of God correctly, it creates Matthew 18: 6-8 stumbling blocks for those who rely on them for their spiritual edification and guidance. The longer errant teachings and accompanying practices remain, the deeper the roots grow and the harder they become to remove, creating a Matthew 15: 9 scenario.

‭‭”‘And in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB2030).”
. . .

The command (not an option) to participate in the Great Commission (evangelizing and edifying others) was given to ALL born-again, Church Age believers.

Discipleship calls for the ongoing learning and application of the Word of God, to all that a born again believer thinks, says, and does.

Discipleship is initially for the edification of oneself, with the long term objective of being used by God in the evangelization and discipleship of others.

Like a runner in a torch-relay race, one can not pass on to others something that he or she does not first take possession of himself.

It is ONLY when one has learned what the unadulterated Gospel Message is, and what the Bible actually has to say about the issues pertaining to the post (AFTER) salvation spiritual life HERE on Earth, that he or she is prepared (8) to participate in the Great Commission.

Religious, sincere, but misinformed people can unwittingly become spokespersons for the devil.

“And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the EQUIPPING OF THE SAINTS for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4: 11, 12 NASB2020).”

This is where the Matthew 5: 14-16 lamp on the stand comes into the picture.

The lamp, with it’s light, is to be positioned where those around it can best benefit by it. It’s light however, must be of the type that illuminates the ONE and only (9) way for souls to be saved, and then one that leads to, and along, the narrow road to spiritual maturity (10).

Alternative lighting can attract and lead people down the broad road to spiritual darkness (11).

“So watch out that the light in you is not darkness (Luke‬ ‭11:35‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬).‬‬
___________

(1) Proverbs 3: 5 (2) Proverbs 4: 27a (3) Matthew 4: 6 (4) 1Timothy 4: 1 (5) 1Thessalonians 4: 16, 17 (6) Deut. 4: 2/Proverbs 30: 6 (7) 2Timothy 2 : 15 (8) 1Peter 3: 15 (9) John 14: 6 (10) Matthew 7: 14 (11) Matthew 7: 13

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