Seeking the Lost

In Luke 19:10, it is recorded that Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. And we recognize, of course, that Christ is our ultimate example to follow. We also read in the 15 chapter of Luke parables dealing with things that are lost: a shepherd looking for a lost sheep, a woman looking for a lost coin, and a father who is looking out for his lost son. Now, there's one point that should be obvious in all of these, yet isn't. Who is doing th seeking? Is it the one who is lost? No it is the one who is found. We are to follow Christ's example, and the lessons in the parables, and seek the lost. Are we doing so? Or are we waiting for the lost to seek those who are found? Are we taking the gospel to the lost? Or do we expect them to wander in through our doors on their own accord?

Testing the Spirits

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

I John 4:1

John write that Christians should be trying the spirits. That is, he is telling us that we need to double check that the things we're bring told by people are actually in accordance with what God says. In the following verses, he gives us some instruction in how to see if a person is teaching the truth or not.

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world

I John 4:2-3

The way to see if truth is being taught is to see if it “confesseth.” That is, that if the teaching is in accordance with the things God says. Just as we are to confess Christ by living in such a way that Christ is seen in us, Christ should be seen in all the words being taught. If such a thing is not apparent, then the spirit is not from God. The teaching is not the teaching of Christ, and it is coming from a false teacher.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:10-11

Here, it is recorded that the Bereans double checked what Paul was telling them. And for this, they are commended. Think about this: it was the apostle Paul who was teaching them. And they're commended for double checking him to make sure he was right!

How often do you “test the spirits.” Are you spending your days listening to someone teach or preach, and assuming that they're right? Or are you comparing everything being taught with your Bible, the word of God? It's the only way to know if the truth is being taught.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

II Peter 2:1

Peter writes that false teachers will introduce heresies secretly. They won't proclaim from the roof tops that their teaching is contrary to Christ's teaching, but will bring it in secretly, claiming it is from Christ. The only way to see through their words is to compare it to the word of God.

Are you testing the spirits? When a preacher stands before you, do you compare what he says with the Bible? Do you compare Bible classes to scripture? Do you compare written books with the word of God? Do you test the spirits? Are you as noble as those in Berea?

Overcoming the World

Abraham Lincoln once made a statement about General Burnside to the effect that he could snatch defeat from the jaws of certain victory. No matter the advantages Burnside had, he always seemed to lose. In John 16:33, we learn that Christ has overcome the world. In I John 5:3-5, we learn that as Christians, we are partakers in this victory, and have also overcome the world. We have victory! But will we be like General Burnside and lose our assured victory? Will we give up the sure win in favor of defeat? James 1:27 says “to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Will we do so? Will we maintain our victory?

Faith

Faith is essential to someone who wishes to follow the Lord. As Hebrews 11:6 tells us,

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And so, of course, we know it is necessary. Let us take a few moments and examine Biblical faith.

If you look in Hebrews 11:1, we are given an explanation of what faith is. It is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In other words, it is a conviction in something beyond what can be seen with our mortal eyes, and serves as a basis for hope (not just wishing for something, but reasonable expectation of getting what you long for). We see that faith is a basis for which we build out hope in Christ and our hope for eternal life.

We also learn in Romans 10:17 how a person develops faith.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Faith, then, comes from using the Bible to learn more about God and His will. Faith does not suddenly appear out of nowhere. Faith is built on the word of God: the Bible. John 20:20-31 also explains this. This passage teaches us that the reason that John was written was so that we (the reader) might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that in believing we may have life.

We also learn from the Bible that faith is not something that is static. Faith is something that must grow and develop. In John 4:39-42, we see the growth of faith in the Samaritans. At first, they believed based on the testimony of others. But when they went to the source of their faith, that is, Christ, their faith deepen and grew and became strong. So it is with us. When we first believe, it is often based at least partially on the teachings of someone else. But to have a deep rooted faith, we must seek out the source: Christ. And Christ is revealed to us through the word of God: the Bible.

The Bible also tells us a little more about faith. Faith is active. Faith isn't just something a person has, it is something a person does. Consider John 6:29 and I John 3:23. Faith is a response we must have toward God. And we see in these verses that faith is a work, that is, it is obedience to one of God's commands. It is something we must DO. In James 2, we learn that faith, by itself, is dead. Simply believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God is not enough. In doing that, we are only fulfilling one of the things that God asks of us.

We are told to have faith. If we obey and believe, then that is wonderful! But faith is only the beginning of a person's walk with God. Everything else a person does must be based on that faith. But can we honestly think that God only wants obedience in one thing, and one thing only? Or can we assume that God wants obedience in all things, not only in faith? Faith is absolutely necessary. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. But we cannot allow ourselves to stop with simply believing, we must follow the Lord completely, and not simply partially (Matthew 22:37-38, James 2:8-11).