Bits of Truth | All Truth is God's

What is our 'Testimony'?

The Greek root word for ‘testimony’ is the same root for ‘witness.’ It is µαρτυς [martus]. It is the Greek root from which we derive our English word ‘martyr.’

The word ‘testimony’ occurs 32X in the NT of the Authorized Version [KJV].

Of these, 4 are in the phrase ‘testimony against them.’ [the religious leaders that rejected Christ]
It is used 8X referring to the ‘testimony of God, Jesus, or Jesus Christ.’
3X it is used speaking of someone that has been healed showing himself to the priests ‘for a testimony unto them.’

Finally, consider John 5:34-

But I receive not testimony from man… [Jesus speaking]

Many pastors, preachers, and other religious leaders seem to like to essentially decide what a ‘good Christian testimony’ looks like, then pressure their followers to basically put that ‘on display.’ This errant perspective has done enormous damage to the display of the true redemptive glory of the LORD

A Christian’s ‘testimony’ is not some kind of image he/she tries to exhibit before the world.
A Christian’s ‘testimony is not something upon which he/she is constantly using some kind of ‘spiritual photoshop app’ to enhance or edit.
A Christian’s ‘testimony is not something he/she has to jealously ‘guard’ so that it always ‘looks good.’

A Christian’s ‘testimony’ IS the clear evidence of the reality of his/her relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Christian’s ‘testimony’ IS the embodiment in the life of the Truth of God’s Word as he/she becomes more and more grounded in that Truth.
A Christian’s ‘testimony’ IS one of the greatest drawing cards for folks among whom they live: It can either draw them into a genuine relationship with the LORD OR it can drive them away because it has the sense of being merely a religious ‘façade.’

The Grave Danger of False Teaching

We are warned about the serious danger of false teaching many times in the NT. The following verses are representative of these scriptural warnings.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears…2 Timothy 4:3
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:11-12
In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Luke 12:1
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8

There is no substitute for genuine biblical Truth. But as these few verses have identified very clearly, there are multitudes of false messages being given that purport to be the Truth but are not. Why are there so many false teachers in the world today? Our first verse above reveals one of the leading answers: so-called "Christians" heap to themselves false teachers that will tickle their ears with error in the guise of Truth.

Additionally, there is the daunting task of filtering out the Traditions taught by religious leaders for generations. These we are plainly told in a verse above are hypocrisy and must be set aside. If outright false teaching 'has slain its thousands,' Tradition 'has slain its tens of thousands.'

Finally, there is the matter of Truth mixed with philosophy, psychology, and other 'rudiments of the world.' When God's Truth becomes mired in such conglomerations of error, it is a daunting task to decipher what is genuine biblical Truth and what is 'vain deceit.'

One of the most demanding tasks of a genuine messenger of God in the present hour is laying out such a thorough exposition of genuine biblical Truth that it provides the only hope for those entangled in such serious error.

Separation

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the

Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you…

2 Corinthians 6:17

For many years, in conservative Baptist churches in America, there has been a strong emphasis on 'separation.' This emphasis has primarily taken the perspective that any Christian's 'separation' from the world is to be seen in his/her habits, manner of dress, and the group the Christian associates [or doesn't associate] with. Our captioned picture on the left suggests these realities.

The thing is, though, genuine 'separation' is rooted in a relationship; by being known as or called a 'Christian,' a person who openly declares that his/her relationship with God through Jesus Christ is now the foundation of everything in life. Therefore, a Christian's 'separation' will be a direct reflection of his/her true relationship with God. Consider Exodus 33:16 -

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight?

is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the

people that are upon the face of the earth.

Notice especially the underlined portion. Our 'separation' from all the people that are on the earth [and their pursuits, ambitions, world views, peer groups, etc.] plainly displays the degree to which we are literally walking with Him […is it not in that thou goest with us?]. So then, to emphasize that the 'separation' of the Christian is essentially about outward things that are visible in life is to ignore the underlying reality of a flawed relationship with God.

Let me put it this way: If we are willing to accept the depiction of Christians in the world as sheep, our picture comes into focus. But these sheep are rather odd in that they are all wearing 'shades' and running together in their chosen groups. It is one of the greatest ploys of the Enemy to exert pressure upon the Christian to 'fit in,' to 'meekly align with authority,' and to be viewed as 'broad-minded and tolerant.'

But none of these things could ever be said to be true about the Lord Jesus Christ. If I, therefore, am truly in fellowship with Him, my life will not 'fit in,' I will not 'meekly align with authority' [especially religious authority from errant leaders], and I will never 'be tolerant' of that which displeases the holy God with Whom I walk.

Tradition

Matthew 15: Tradition

2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;

but their heart is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Our meme [not mine, borrowed] identifies in very simple terms just how easy it is for traditions to become cemented in place over time. Nobody decides to question why such and such a thing is done, just meekly settling for the explanation that "This is how we have always done it." In the example of the painted bench, there is really nothing to be disturbed about. At least it provided for a couple of soldiers to stand watch as a part of their duties.

But it is an entirely different thing in the churches when "We've always done it this way" basically silences any questions about whether or not such and such a thing is pleasing to God. If the religious leaders in the church essentially demand acquiescence to long-practiced traditions, who are the ordinary saints to ask for biblical support for the practice in question?

In our verse above you can quickly see that the Lord Jesus Christ did not meekly assent to the demands of the religious leaders to adhere to their traditions. He used strong language in confronting them about it. They asked Him why His disciples 'transgressed' the tradition of the elders. His answer was to make it clear that they were transgressing the commandment of God by their tradition.

But He went much farther. He accused them of being hypocrites, quoting Isaiah [29:13] and telling them that their traditions simply made it clear that their 'hearts were far from God.' He ultimately told them that their traditions were nothing more than 'the commandments of men.'

We would do well to test the traditions that we have so easily fallen into, whether they be of God, or of men. If they are merely of men, then we must determine if they align with God's Word. If they do not, then unless we want to have the Lord's own words ringing in our ears at the Judgment Seat of Christ: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."

Technology: Boon or Bane?

This meme was gleaned from the internet [not my 'creation']. You can see the artist's name in the lower right corner: Bruce McCall. I borrowed it to write this post. I think it really speaks for itself, essentially. I simply want to consider the concept pictured briefly from a biblical perspective.

First of all, I want to state clearly that I am not opposed in any way to technological advancements. Since I believe that 'All Truth is God's Truth,' I am keenly aware that God opens men's minds to learn and apply truth to their lives and cultures. But all such technological advances are not equal. It is one thing to design and use magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] technology, for example, in 'seeing inside' the human body. It is quite another thing to develop technology to the point that it becomes so embedded in the cultural psyche of generations of people that we saturate our waking moments with it as the meme suggests.

Consider, for example, 1 Corinthians 6:12:

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

It is to be lamented that many Christian families might well fit somewhat into the caricature pictured. To what degree are you, or your children 'brought under the power of' technology robbing you [them] of the time or energy for genuine spiritual advancement? Which is more important, technological advancement or spiritual development?

The Grave Danger of Christian Mimicry

One of the things I encountered repeatedly among sincere Christians during my pastoral ministry was sincere, but lifeless, mimicry of Bible stories or characters. I have chosen the accompanying meme to illustrate what I mean. Notice the details in the picture.

First, it certainly appears that this man has labored hard and long to paint a very lifelike fire. His materials are strewn about on the floor beneath his project. Additionally, he seems to think that his own creation can actually provide him with the warmth he desires. But, if another person were to step into the room, he/she would feel no warmth from the painting, regardless of how realistic it is to the artist.

I cannot look at this meme without thinking about Moses' meeting with the transcendent God at the burning bush in Exodus 3. It suggests to me that this artist has read that passage and attempted to capture the essence of it on canvas so that he could 'experience what Moses experienced.' I am aware that this is a bit fanciful but stay with me, please.

Sadly, a very great deal of what passes as genuine Bible teaching results primarily in the students attempting to mimic what they have been taught, rather than becoming something they could never be by their own efforts. Much youth work is little more than considering Scripture with them, then applying pressure upon them to behave as the relevant Bible character behaved. This results in many, many rubber-stamped young 'Christians' but few, if any, genuinely believing disciples.

Consider Acts 8:17-22:

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

In this passage we see this man, Simon, attempting to purchase the spiritual ability to give the Holy Ghost through laying on his hands. He was willing to buy the ability so that he could mimic what the apostles were doing. But, mimicking what genuine saints do does not make anyone a genuine believer or servant of God.

We see this even more emphatically in the words of our Lord in Matthew 7:21-23:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Beware of trying to imitate Christ or a well-known Bible character or missionary, etc. Many would love to have the faith that characterized George Mueller of Bristol, Hudson Taylor of China, or Amy Carmichael of India, but, simply mirroring their work or faith is not at all the same thing as knowing the Lord as they did. So many poorly-taught American Christians reflect this sense of mimicry rather than genuine, costly faith. It is no surprise then to encounter them as they try to warm their hands at a painted fire.