An Open Letter by Moss Dickerson
COUNTERFIT WISDOM
Christians always need to be wary of spiritual leaders and who attempt to modify sound doctrine. The church of our Lord is the pillar and ground for the truth (1st Tim. 3:15,16). Our model is to be Jesus, One who committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth (1 Peter 2:22). The antidote for false teaching is full and true spiritual knowledge.
Success is defined in different ways but for a Christian success must be defined as a desire to be approved in the sight of God. There is a vital missing link in our lives if we are not concerned about our heavenly standing (Hebrews 11:16).
Christians ought to strive to be spiritual geniuses. I often remember the definition of genius given by the late Will Durant:
It is a combination of clarity of mind and energy of the will. (Lesson of History, p. 91).
2nd Corinthians 10:5 tells Christians to bring every thought into captivity to the Lord.
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (New American Standard).
Thus, this is our goal and our only goal. We must have clarity of mind and energy of will in this matter and then we will be a spiritual genius.
Some cynic once remarked, "you must not enthrone ignorance just because there is so much of it."
The church today deserves that admonition where so much mediocrity is found. The church suffers from a diet of milk as related to studying the Holy Bible. There are symptoms of mal-nourishment expressing its self in our assemblies. Serious Bible study cannot be accomplished in lessons more in line with self help psychology classes or 1st year English students discussing the meaning of Beowulf. It is my view that all Christians should have a good personal library if this is something they can afford. Language studies, Commentaries on the Old and New Testament and other Bible reference works are readily available. I realized that we are not all alike and our minds comprehend at different levels but we are obligated to study and learn at whatever level the Lord has given us. Studying the Bible and knowing the Word will help keep us heading in the right direction. It is the only cure for cult-like behavior of following the preacher instead of the Bible.
The astute mind of Wordsworth mentioned the sublime combination of effort, expectation, and desire as major contributions to our destiny. Since we will be judged by the very "deeds" performed in our "own bodies" (II Cor. 5:10), we ought to use great discretion in our walk before God. Below I have made short list of the ingredients for spiritual victory.
1. Wrap our selves in Christ's victory over Satan (2 Cor. 2:14).
2. Never lower the standards (1 Cor. 7:35).
3. Surround your self with proper companions (Matt. 6:33).
4. Do more than read the Bible, really study it (2 Tim. 2:15).
5. Have the courage to stand alone (Daniel 2:15).
6. Never trust in human wisdom (Prov. 3:5).
7. Let persecution strengthen you (Rom. 8:18).
8. Cultivate a keen sense of humor (1 Kings 18:27).
"And remember, 1st John 2:21. "I have not written to you because you do not know
the truth but because you do know it, and because no lie is of the truth."
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