Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

August 9
Sunday


YEAH, BUT...

READ:
2 Timothy 4:1-8
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They will turn their
ears away from the
truth. __2 Timothy 4:4
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Grading university papers is full of surprises. Sometimes, one of my students will successfully handle a subject and display good writing style, and I feel as if my instruction was worthwhile.

Other surprises aren't so pleasant. Like the paper in which a student wrote, "the Bible says, 'Thou shalt not____.'" He filled in the blank with the activity he was writing about__even though Scripture does not contain such a verse. I thought his biggest problem was not knowing Scripture, until he concluded, "Although the Bible says this is wrong, I don't see why, so I think it's okay."

It's dangerous and the worst kind of arrogance to think we know more about an issue than God does. Scripture predicted this kind of thinking. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: "They will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires...they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth" (vv.3-4). This points to people who set aside the inspired Word of God (3:16) in order to accept teaching they think is "okay."

When the Bible clearly spells out a principle, we honor God by obeying Him. For believers, there's no room for "Yeah, but..." responses to Scripture. __Dave Branon
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``````````God who formed worlds by the power of His Word``````````
`````````Speaks through the Scriptures His truth to be heard;`````````
```````````````And if we read with the will to obey,````````````````
````````He by His Spirit will show us His way. __D. De Haan``````````
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The Bible: Read it, believe it, obey it!

****************Today's Bible Reading __ 2 Timothy 4:1-8*********

1 I charge you therefore
before God and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who will judge
the living and the dead at
His appearing and His
kingdom: 2 Preach the
Word! Be ready in season
and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort,
with all longsuffering and
teaching. 3 For the time will
come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but
according to their own
desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap
up for themselves teachers;

4 and they will turn their
ears away from the truth,
and be turned aside to
fables. 5 But you be
watchful in all things,
endure afflictions, do the
work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.

6 For I am already being
poured out as a drink
offering, and the time of my
departure is at hand. 7 I
have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.

8 Finally, there is laid up
for me the crown of
righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also
to all who have loved His
appearing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Second Timothy 4 begins with solemn words, "I charge you therefore
before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who wilL judge the living and
the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom" (v.1). It is a reminder
that we are accountable to Christ. While our primary motive for
serving Christ should be love for Him, accountability can help us
stay focused in challenging times. __BILL CROWDER