Living in a Society Saturated with Spiritual Entropy
Today we the church are living in a culture in which we must battle both heretics that corrupt from inside and infidels that challenge from the outside. We are not living in an inviting environment.
Make no mistake; Many infidels from the outside believe in "spirituality" and many others believe in "a god" but they do not believe in Jesus for eternal life nor what the Bible says about eternal death. Of course, there are millions who believe nothing --- at least that is what they say. But they still do not want you to be able to believe in Jesus lest they feel judged.
Unfortunately, the church has always been plagued by divisions from the inside. The technical term is "heresy"- divisions and divisiveness. The Corinthian church had divisions - heresies that caused problems with believers. Paul realized that at times; "it is good that there are divisions among you that those who are approved might be manifested." But this assumes that the people were able to understand correct teaching, which is the word for "doctrine."
Today, to those outside the church we need to be apologists. We are to do as Peter instructed the church of his day; "Be ready to make a defense of the hope within you." (I Peter 3:15)
Today, to those inside the church we need to be theologians so we can speak forth truth based on a correct interpretation of the inspired and infallible word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
I can almost hear someone saying; "Are you kidding? That is what the pastor does. He went to seminary. I could never be an apologist or a theologian." I hope you hear me saying to you --- we are all called to be disciples and we are called to give testimony to the truth of Christ both to outsiders and insiders. If you need some help, then by all means contact your pastor and ask him to help guide you so that you can be fully equipped and become all that the Lord desires you to be. That is the pastor's job. (Eph. 4:12)
For you who find yourselves feeling a bit of fear as you engage the culture, remember the spiritual law of thermo dynamics: The greater the heat the greater the expansion! Remember the spiritual explosion in the Biblical Book of ACTS? It could happen again...
Serving Him with you
Until He comes for us,
Fred