Today’s readings are Jeremiah 47,48, and 49, Psalm 80, and 2 Peter 2.
2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
2 Peter 2:1-3
These verses and the entire chapter of 2 Peter 2 give us warning to watch carefully who and what we are watching and listening to and their interpretation of Scripture. Churches and pastors are no doubt resources that can help us grow in our faith and relationship with Jesus and yet we must constantly be on guard to make sure what they are teaching and leading us to is the true Word of God which is our measuring stick. The timing of my assigned passages may not be so coincidental as just last week I became aware of warnings of some of the teachings of Andy Stanley who was someone I’ve held in high regard and would have even pointed other believers and non-believers to. As someone shared with me a warning about one of his teachings, I dug deeper and found a few more concerning teachings over the past few years that aren’t what I believe to be consistent with the Word of God tells us. My writing is not to single out Andy who I pray gets back on course, but a good reminder to me which I wanted to share with others that we must always be asking ourselves whether what we are hearing from a pastor or what a church is teaching is truly based from Scripture or an accurate interpretation of Scripture. The Bible warns us not everyone will follow and teach the pure and true Word of God, but will tend to stray and adapt to please people or the times.
Here are a few other Scriptures I found that underscore the importance of following the entire Word..
“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”
Deuteronomy 12:32
This verse is very clear that the Bible in its entirety should be taught..all of it.
Yes…Jesus saving grace on the cross and Resurrection is central to our belief as Christians and yet the entire Word is important because it all points to Him. People will commonly say, ”Well..Jesus never commented or talked about this topic.” The book of John tells us He was there in the beginning at Creation and most importantly He is the Word and was not only the culmination of it, but was a part of all of it from Genesis to Revelation making it important that nothing be taken away or added to it.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing that was made.
John 1:1-3
We are also taught in 2 Timothy 3:16…
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
The key theme is simple..ALL of it comes from God.
However, we are warned again to take caution in 2 Timothy 4:3-4…
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander of into myths.
I will end with one of my Mom’s favorite verses which is Hebrews 13:8 which it is also worth noting that Hebrews 13:7 before tells us there are still great teachers of the true Word we should remember and listen to. Hebrews 13:9 after has another warning of false teachers, but in the middle verse 8 reminds us most importantly…
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
He was the same in Genesis at Creation as He is today in current times and the same as He will be in the book of Revelation when He comes again. When we follow Him, we follow the entirety of the Word because He is the Word. Nothing can be taken away or added to Him and His Word which has and will always be the same. I pray this can give you peace and comfort as you go today.