Diesel Fuel and Octane Gas

If I told you that from now on, whenever you drive your car into a gas station, you were to blindfold yourself and then randomly pick a nozzle and press the selection directly below it, without being able to determine exactly which fuel you were putting into your car, would that seem to you to be a prudent thing to do?

If I told you that many well meaning Christians today, and also in the past, even in the early Church, do and did not always take the time to discern what doctrines, practises and teachings they submitted their minds, hearts and spirits to, would you find that hard to believe?

This is what the Apostle Paul said to the Churchs in Galatia, in Galatians 1:6-7 NASB:
“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel, which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

The Apostle Paul indicated that he was amazed, and you can correct me if you think I am wrong, but I’m thinking that wasn’t a positive indication of amazement that he was talking about.

But wait, there’s more, as noted in Galatians 1 verses 8 and 9:
“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, even now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”

Those are pretty strong words of condemnation, wouldn’t you say? Notice how Paul indicates that even if “we” deviate from or even an angel from heaven deviates from, what has ALREADY been given, what they have ALREADY received, they are to be accursed. Not much room for misunderstanding the clear intent, is there?

Paul used the words “contrary to”, which can also be stated as “different from”, or “in opposition to” the gospel that we have preached to you. So, how does one determine as to whether a gospel you are listening to, or feeding on, is “contrary to” the original gospel that was received? You would have to compare the two, and see as to whether the gospel you are now listening to, is “different from” the gospel you originally received. Consequently, Christian doctrines, practises and teachings are vitally important and unless we want to fall in with the ranks of the offending Galatians that Paul was addressing, it would behoove us to take Paul’s admonition very seriously, because Paul obviously did.

As Paul progresses through this letter to the Galatia Churches, he addressed the error that was being taught with regard to the necessity of believers being circumcised, which as you recall, even Peter, out of fear, got waylaid on, and Paul accordingly addressed.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NASB
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

What is the benchmark?- All Scripture that we have ALREADY been given.
Who is the source? – God inspired it.
To be used for? – Teaching, rebuke, correction, training.
What is accomplished? – Men or women of God FULLY capable, EQUIPPED for EVERY good work.

The criteria by which we are to discern matters of doctrine, practises and teachings is made very clear. There are many Scriptures which spell out the doctrines of Christianity, the practises of Christianity and the teachings of Christianity within God’s Holy Word. God’s Holy Word, that which we have ALREADY been given, is the benchmark by which everything else that we submit ourselves to, is to be discerned.

I too am amazed, because within the New Apostolic Reformation movement, that is RAMPANT within many Christian denominations today, there are numerous doctrines, practises and teachings which are “different from” or “contrary to” that which we have ALREADY been given. But many simply don’t care.

New revelations are what now is important.
New experiences are what now is sought.
New recognition as now being “part of” is the goal.

Literally anyone, can now pronounce themselves as being an Apostle and give prophecies, and there will be some “Christians” who hang onto their every word. It makes no difference to some as to whether the doctrines and prophecies of these Apostles and Prophets line up with the gospel, it makes no difference if their practises are “contrary to” what God’s Word clearly states. For a few hundred dollars, you too can be a Prophet, you too can heal and deliver like Jesus and you too can be swept up in the latest decree from the so called “Word of the Lord”.

It matters what Christian doctrines you draw the line at. It matters what practises you condone and it matters what teachings you advocate. God’s holy Word, as inspired and provided by God’s Holy Spirit and also voiced and demonstrated by God’s only Son, is the only fuel that we, as God’s children, are designed to feed and nourish ourselves on.

Matthew 7:22-24 NASB
“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

And what is lawlessness? The law is God’s declared ways and lawlessness are our own ways. The two are NOT one and the same.

Matthew 7:14 NASB
“For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Those who choose to blindly grasp and fuel themselves without exercising biblical discernment, risk condemnation. It it happened to the Galatians, it can happen to us.

Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!