Bound By Truth

As I sit and write this article, my heart is heavy. It is burdened for those who have been influenced by one of the greatest lies of all times. It does not come as a shock to true believers that this lie has rapidly spread through the world, and I am using world here in the sense of that system that stands diametrically opposed to the One, True God, but that is not the only place this infection has spread.

This same lie has deeply infected the church, so deeply in fact that many who “profess faith” and are “church members” think that this is actually what Scripture teaches. This lie comes in different forms, each of which ultimately results in a faith in self, many of which have become teachings of the church. Before I progress further, we need to clarify what teaching actually means.

To some, to teach is an action that happens in a specific setting, like a classroom, where a person or a group of people get up in front of others and seek to convey a specific idea or concept through various methods and means designed to improve retention of the idea or concept. I would argue on the other hand that teaching is something that happens anytime you speak or act in the presence of others. Disagree, think about a kid who watches and listens, they do not need to be in a place of “formal learning” to be taught that certain behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable.

Back to the topic at hand, this great lie, the one that has said to millions of people that they are enough. This in an increasingly popular statement, one that I believe finds its roots in misquotes of scripture like “God will never give you more than YOU can handle”. These two statements are essentially the same, that, at the end of the day, at the end of all time, you, yourself will be enough. You need nothing and no one, even the one who created you.

Now, as I mentioned previously it should come as no shock that this is pervasive in the world, after all, the world has rejected God and literally hates God. It is not even all that shocking that there is a contingent of people within the church that believe and teach this since Scripture clearly teaches us that there are “tares among the wheat” and John tells us that there are those “who will go out from us, for they were not of us” both pointing to the truth that our churches contain people that are unbelievers who are living as believers. They are in disguise, wolves in the clothing of sheep.

Here is where it does become a major issue, there are those who are believers, true believers, who struggle with this idea. Enter in the flesh. True believers have been redeemed by the blood of Christ. Salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone and all and only for the Glory of God. That being said, even as we stand fully justified in the eyes of God we are still in a corruptible body, we are continually warring with the flesh and it is this flesh that grabs this idea and enlarges it in our lives until we can see little else.

This is not a new struggle, nor is it a hopeless one. We are continually reminded in the New Testament that Christ is sufficient, that He provides all that we need for life, that through His Word and by the power of His Spirit we are comforted, encouraged, strengthened, and reminded who we are in the eyes of the Father, sons and daughters adopted into His family wholly and finally.

Brothers and Sisters who are struggling with this and other great truths, the first thing that I want you to know is that you are not alone. When I say that, I am not just meaning that God is always with you, I am also referring to your brothers and sisters in Christ. As a lifelong member of that area of the country known as the Bible belt, I have unfortunately witnessed first-hand the way in which many believers portray their lives as being perfect, not realizing the damage that it is doing.

Life is messy, it is not that perfect, momentary snapshot that gets the likes on the social media outlet of your choice. It is a day in and day out grind that takes you from the highest places to the deepest valleys. When we are unwilling to be authentic with our brothers and sisters in Christ, or when they make us feel as if we cannot be authentic, we cast a shadow on what Christ has done and is doing in each of His people.

Part of my daily routine is to read from a little book called “The Valley of Vision”. This amazing little book is a collection of prayers and devotions written by the Puritans. This morning, as I was reading and praying, I came across the following and I found it to be of such a great encouragement that I wanted to share. It is my prayer that it will be a reminder and an encouragement to you, regardless of what you are going through. If you happen to have made it this far through my ramblings and you are not a believer, I pray that the Holy Spirit will move in your life and you will to come to Christ in faith…

“New Beginning” – Incomprehensible, Great and Glorious God, I adore thee and abase myself. I approach thee mindful that I am less than nothing, a creature worse than nothing. My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze. My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance. Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth all sin, to believe in that grace which subdues all iniquities, to resign myself to that agency which can deliver me from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Thou has begun a good work in me and can alone continue and complete it. Give me an increasing conviction of my tendency to err, and of my exposure to sin. Help me to feel more of the purifying, softening influence of religion, its compassion, love, pity, courtesy, and employee me as thy instrument in blessing others. Give me to distinguish between the mere form of godliness and its power, between life and a name to live, between guile and truth, between hypocrisy and a religion that will bear thy eye. If I am not right, set me right, keep me right; and I may I last come to thy house in peace.

You are NOT enough…but Christ is…trust in Him today.