World or Word Standard
How often is a new idea defended because ‘I heard of someone who was so helped by it’; or a new course of action justified because it is ‘doing so much good’. As Bible believing Christians, our measure of acceptance can only be:
º- Does this agree absolutely with what is revealed in scripture, with no question of an erosive element creeping in?
Those who think they can mix God’s way with something new because the new thing is ‘good’ and ‘helpful’ and ‘doing no harm’, are deceiving themselves. The measure of anything, new or old is not what it appears to be, nor what it appears to do.
The measure is: What does God’s Word say?
As Biblical Christians, our measure for determining truth can only be what is revealed in scripture.
However attractive and persuasive a new idea is, however convinced and convincing is the person presenting that idea to us, our standard against which we measure all things remains the absolute of God’s Word.
The principle of truth as an absolute is discussed in another of the Thoughts; and pursued in the Series Biblical Philosophy.
Watering Down the Word
While it may seem acceptable to measure an idea or a way of conduct by asking:
– Does it do good?
– Does it work?
– Does it make me comfortable or happy or fulfilled?
Our measure of acceptance can only be:
– Does this agree absolutely with what is revealed in scripture, with no question of an erosive element creeping in?
The Word as the Standard
If we subscribe to the philosophy that says God is the supreme authority and that everything exists within the framework of His plans and principles, then the baseline measuring standard for all things becomes simple.
We are compelled as Christians to seek life only in Jesus Christ; and to seek wisdom and knowledge only in God as revealed through His Word.
Extracts adapted from Series: Alternative Medicine
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