Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth (Rev. 2:12-17)

Lowering the Standard of Bible Truth

Experience, relationships and Christian living are more important to many people than Bible teaching. In fact, it appears that the standards of Bible Truth are being lowered to make life more acceptable to everybody. The cry is that we should not press the deity of Christ, His sacrificial atonement or His bodily resurrection if any or all of them upset people. After all, isn't our personal living more important than creeds? Tolerance of all beliefs for the sake of peace and joy is what is needed in our churches. Of course, this is not what faithful followers of Christ believe, but many who call themselves Christians do. To allow the world to have access into the church becomes the death of the church. Not to practice discipline after it is found in the church is equally wrong and fatal.

In Revelation 2:12-17 the Lord Jesus saw this problem in a church in the city of Pergamos. The church in Pergamos believed that conduct was more important than creed. They could say that it was not what they believed but how they lived that counted. Note His references to “the doctrine of Balaam” (v. 14) and to “the doctrine of the Nicolaitans” (v. 15). How relevant is that for us today! Both doctrines emphasize conduct over creed. That church in Pergamos fathered many churches just like it and we have them throughout our country and the world today. They believe those same doctrines which have revived in our day. Conduct is important. We don't downplay it. But so is creed. Both creed and conduct are important. The Lord lays great stress on conduct but He also lays stress on doctrine in His letter to the church in Pergamos. We need to be reminded that a person cannot live right without knowing right. To tolerate the world's views in our churches is to allow the world an upper hand in what is precious to our Lord.

The city of Pergamos openly mixed paganism and politics. 200 years later it would happen again. In A.D. 313 King Constantine declared himself and his armies to be Christian. The troops were baptized by marching into the river. The pagan priests, who had been paid from the Roman coffers, became “Christian” too so that they could continue their positions and their salaries. Is this not what unsaved people do today? Listen, churches should never lower the standards of God’s Word to bring in kings or troops or religious leaders. The world will never be friendly to the gospel (John 15:18). We should not imagine that they are and then let them teach what they want to. We respect the right of people who are not of the same faith as we to practice theirs and we should learn to live side-by-side with them. But we also live in a postmodern culture which teaches us that we should tolerate all kinds of beliefs in Christian circles. That is error! The Bible is the only standard by which we judge between Truth and error.

The Bible Verse for Today: 2 Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness and what communion hath light with darkness?"

Your Step for Today: Have you ever had to determine whether a belief or an activity was worldly? List the ways that you used to make your choice.

Prayer for Today: Holy Father, You want holiness in your congregation. Keep me walking in the ways of your Word and help me to avoid the trappings of the world.