We recently had the privilege to hear Gary Kerr preach a series of lessons about the authenticity of the Bible (you can watch on our YouTube channel if interested). After considering the evidence, we can be 100% certain that the Bible is the inspired word of God (II Tim. 3:16). However, opponents are 100% sure that the Bible is a fake, that it is full of lies and myths.

Obviously, both positions cannot be right. Let us consider the ramifications of believing that the Bible is not the truth but is rather based upon lies and legends. I am arguing from the hypothetical premise that all the evidences that Gary presented in his lessons are false. Not only that, but they are 100% false. If we can prove that the Bible is not God’s word, then the following points must also be true.

Every religion is false

If all the evidences supporting the authenticity of the Bible could be rejected, then logically the religions that use any part of the Bible to validate their religion would also be wrong. The same would be true of any religion that attempts to prove they have the truth with evidences weaker than those found in the Bible. The truth is, if the proofs of Biblical inspiration are rejected, which are plentiful, how could any other religion stand?

Man become law maker

If it could be proven that God nor a supposed lesser “god” ever spoke to man, then mankind would be responsible for defining right and wrong. Though the Bible teaches that it is not within mankind to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23), this is exactly what man is left to do if every religion is rejected. Again, if true religion (James 1:27) does not exist, then every religion is categorically rejected. This is not a shock to many people because so many believe that man knows what is best for man.

Those with the most power make the laws

If man becomes his own moral authority as described above, many implications need to be considered. For example, many of the nations of the world are not democratic. Even those that live in democracies do not generally make laws directly – they often elect representatives to wield that power. Even if man became his own moral authority, others would still be making laws for him to live under whether he liked those laws or not. Global affairs be settled by those with the strongest army. Lesser nations could be captured and forced to live under a new set of laws whether those laws were “good” or not.

The problem with man-made laws is that they are constantly changing. Sometimes this is due to popular opinion. Sometimes this is due to corrupt government. All kinds of prejudices and immoral acts can become law: taking from the poor to make the rich richer, legalizing biases and racism, allowing immoral, carnal acts, etc. Man’s laws could entirely fall under descriptions of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and an unwillingness to have compassion by being full of pride, yet they could not be proven wrong if man is the moral authority. The Bible reveals this rather directly (I John 2:15-17).

Manmade laws always have a major flaw

When man becomes law-maker, people must accept the idea that other men know what is best for them. This is not true equality but instead requires blind followers. I get why an active gay person might disagree with my Bible-based criticism of homosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27). What is the basis for a nonreligious person to be opposed to homosexuality if mankind is equal though? Without God, major problems arise. Please consider the importance of – God spoke!

Chuck

The book of Jude contains a description of the behavior of those who have fallen away but are determined to influence the faithful.  If we look at how they are described, we can clearly see how those who walk in righteousness stand out. Here is what Jude wrote:

“These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit,” (Jude 16-19).

It is naïve for children of God to think that those who depart from the Lord will do so quietly. The fact is, those who leave believe they are in the right. Thus, it becomes their mission to convince others to follow them. This is why they may use flattering speech. This is why they appear to have your best interests in mind. The wicked do not actually care about your relationship with God though – they are ultimately more concerned with how they are viewed (3 John 9-10).

How can Christians counter the evil influences of such people? Jude provides the answer: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life," (verses 20-21).

It is the love of God that dwells in us and causes us to value how our Creator wants us to act rather than merely seeking to fit in with the world. By always listening to our God, we will walk by faith. Listening to people who claim to speak about God is not the same as listening to God directly via His scriptures. Yes, God’s faithful will stand out for this. Are you willing to stand out as one of them? Do not trade the acceptance of God for the acceptance of those around you.

Chuck

As Paul’s epistle to the church at Colossae was coming to a close, the apostle made sure that he sent greetings from fellow laborers such as Luke and Demas (4:14). However, in a span of approximately a couple of years, at the close of the letter Paul wrote to Timothy, he brought up that Demas had forsaken him (II Tim. 4:10).  So what happened in that period of time that caused Demas to stop being faithful?

The answer to the above question was given in the Timothy letter: Paul stated that Demas loved this present world (II Tim. 4:10). My question is this: what is there to love that was in the world back then that would cause someone to leave the Lord? It would be the exact same things that exist today. We shall consider some of the lures that entice people to love the world.

Loving the world removes the spiritual battles

Sometimes Christians get tired of standing against opposition all the time. Their love for the truth, when it is lost, becomes a love for compromise, just to get along, avoiding controversy at all cost. This is why brethren are told not to grow weary in doing good (Gal. 6:9). There is no question that saints face battles on a daily basis against the course of this world. As good soldiers we must fight the good fight (I Tim. 6:12). When a child of God has an appetite for loving the world, the love of God will not be in them and they will forsake the Father and in turn, faithful brethren like Paul (I Jn. 2:15).

Loving the world removes many duties

Let’s face it, unlike the first point, many conflicts God’s people face come from within. By that I mean, every person faces temptation with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of like (I Jn. 2:16).  When Christians find sinful behavior attractive and desire to engage in it, the dislike for sin soon wanes. The faithful can hate every false way (Psa. 119:104), but if steps are not put in place, you can depart from a place that was once pleasing to God, to a place where God has turned away from you (I Pet. 3:12; II Pet. 2:20-22). When you no longer want to be a worker for the Lord, there is going to be a love for the world.

Loving the world eventually removes associations that make you feel guilty

We read how that Demas had forsaken Paul. Now, we know Paul felt bad about that, but did Demas? This we know for sure, when someone makes you feel uncomfortable, you usually don’t like to hang around them. In Luke 15, we read where the prodigal wanted to go far away from his family.  Perhaps what applies here is the idea of out of sight, out of mind. With this comes the Biblical text describing people who have their conscience seared with a hot iron (I Tim. 4:2).  In truth, if I were Demas and I loved this present world, hanging around Paul would have been unsettling to say the least.

Loving the world removes the focus from heaven

The passions of this word are pleasurable, but we are told they are temporary (Heb. 11:25). Even though non-lasting, those caught up in sin are not keeping their eye on the mark (Heb. 12:1-2). It would be proper to say concerning the fallen that they are not thinking about what lies beyond the grave because they only see the world. However, God’s people know this world and everything in it will one day be consumed (II Pet. 3:10). Not only that, even before that happens, our lives are like a vapor that appears for a short time then vanishes away (Jas. 4:14). So, obviously, to forsake the Lord is to not think about eternity.

Demas was once faithful to the Lord. He was a companion to Paul, whom he appreciated greatly. As to what happened to Demas, it can happen to us, so let us beware.

Chuck

Throughout the scriptures, God’s people are to remind themselves that whenever they are facing a hardship, they are not alone. Oh, it is true that our Lord knows everything that is going on and He will never forsake us (Heb. 13:5), that’s not the aspect I want to talk about. The fact that we are not alone, has to do with idea that whatever we face, others face hardships too.

In I Peter 5:9, the inspired writer stated, “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”  It might seem that when we are having to endure all kinds of difficulties, our brothers and sisters face the same things. They may not be exactly the same, but hardships come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

Knowing all of this, does it really help Christians to know this? Does it really provide strength? The answer is yes. There is comfort knowing that we are not alone and that others are having to deal with things too. It is foolish to think, “Nobody knows the troubles I have.” I may not know the specifics, but we can be confident to know that when it comes to things that will test our faith, it is “common to man” (I Cor. 10:13).

We really don’t have to look any farther than Jesus Himself. The reason He is a great example is because He was tempted in all ways just like we are (Heb. 4:15). Again, yes we are talking about the Lord, but think this through. Since Jesus was tempted like everyone, then would not everyone be tempted like one another? Of course they would. Also, if Jesus gave us an example to help us overcome, cannot saints strive to provide the same example for each other? Again, yes!

The next time you go to church services, take a moment and look around at all your brothers and sisters. You can be sure that each and every one of them has some sort of suffering going on in their lives. Knowing that to be true, look, they are there serving the Lord, just as you are. Now doesn’t that give you strength and encouragement? It should. Reason being, they are to thinking the same thing about you.

Chuck

As a church, we had the opportunity to help brethren out who were victims of the recent hurricane in Texas. Christians also individually offered help to out people in general who were in need in those areas. Even though these were good things to do, what does the Bible says about this? Let’s take a closer look.

It is essential to remember that God’s people are to do good to all people, especially those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). Even Jesus went out of His way to help those who were not followers of Him (Mark 1:32-34). Christians extend kindness to all, even towards their enemies (Rom. 12:19-21).

What Christians do with their own is their own business. However, when saints give to the Lord on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2), it is no longer “their own.” This is how it was told to a couple who lied about how much they contributed to the church treasury: “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God,” (Acts 5:3-4).

Having demonstrated that God’s people can help whomever they want with their own funds, let’s now notice the limitations placed upon the local church. Peter mentioned above that money it is given to the church treasury, it is no longer our own. This means that the church funds are not used the same way as an individual’s funds. This is clearly demonstrated in I Timothy 5:16, where Christians are obligated to help their family members and not burden the church with it. Let’s see what churches can do with their funds to help the needy.

When it comes to helping those in need, there is no question that local churches are only supposed to help fellow saints. This includes both local brethren and those living elsewhere. Churches in the first century did this by sending relief funds to the elders of the church that had people in need (Acts 11:30).  Notice that the funds were sent directly to the church in need – they were not sent to a third church or other group to be pooled before getting distributed.

Contrast this with what individuals can do to help the needy. They could send it directly to a family in need. Or they could send it to some relief organization (like the Red Cross) who will then help those in need. That’s something we can do since it is “our own.” However, the Bible only contains limited examples for what they church can do. Again, the church must give it directly to those in need. To have some church collect funds from other churches to be a “sponsoring church” is unauthorized by the Lord.

Let us also consider what the local church can and cannot do concerning their own member’s needs.  In Acts 2, we find that those who were converted on the day of Pentecost soon found fellow saints in need. So what did they do? Some brethren stepped up and gave what they could (verse 45). From Acts 5, we know that funds given to the church are under the control of the church, not the individual member (verse 3-4). The local church then has the duty of helping those in the flock that are in need (Acts 6:1-7).

What kinds of needs do you think were incurred by the brethren in Acts 2? We can properly conclude it would be food and shelter. We know that not only did brethren help collectively, but they did as much as they could individually also. Acts 2:46 describes the brethren eating from house to house. Brethren were being hospitable by sharing what they had. What a wonderful attitude of selflessness! These brethren willingly gave twice knowing that Christians are to give cheerfully to the Lord (II Cor. 9:7) and are just as happy to share what they have on their own.

Whether we help someone individually or collectively as a church, the principle of II Thessalonians 3:10 should be applied. In this text we read that is if one is unwilling to work, neither should he eat. It is not our place to reward laziness. Churches are not in the business of being responsible for debts incurred by the irresponsible. This might seem cold and callous, but remember that the funds we give to the Lord are governed by the Lord (Col. 1:18).

Much of what a local church does to help needy members is non-specific. By this I mean that the scriptures do not state how much can be given or for how long – those are judgment calls made by the local church. That’s why the apostle told the brethren in Acts 6 to choose seven men who had a good reputation. You need those who are wise and will make decisions that are good and proper.

Unfortunately, faithful churches are being accused of being uncaring for not using their funds to help in ways that are not Biblically approved. If churches helped the needy without limit, just how many funds would a local church have to help spread the gospel and edify its members? The answer is, not a dime. As Jesus put it, you will always have the poor with you (Matt. 26:11).

Those who accuse the church of being heartless have failed to understand the first part of this article. Christians everywhere strive to be Christ-like and help who they can (whether Christian or not). The limitations placed upon the church do not limit individuals, just as Peter explained to Ananias in Acts 5. To see to what extend godly people help others, read the story Jesus told about the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37).

Christians should find comfort in knowing that there is a church family ready to help in times of need. They should never feel guilty for needing or receiving assistance. May we all likewise be willing and ready to help whenever we find opportunity.

Chuck