The church is not ENTIRELY responsible

The church is like a school,I believe.It has been placed by God to draw perishing souls to him.It is there to teach and to exemplify the ways of the Lord.But like  a school,as much as the teachers are responsible to impart education to the students,the student must study for himself to succeed and the student has a responsibility to dig deep into the course of his study.

I've always blamed the church for not having known a certain biblical concept and as much as those who are in leadership are commanded to feed and take care of the church,they are not entirely responsible.When we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour,we make it an individual and personal responsibility to search God's word for ourselves and to hear God speak to us individually and to take directions directly from Him rather than those He has placed to serve.

In fact,our salvation,to a great extent depends on studying the Word of God so that we can know what is His will for us!When we are baptised,we vow that we believe in the testimonies and the Bible.Now,if we sincerely believe in God's Word and the testimonies,we will NOT wait upon church leaders to conduct studies nor will we point fingers at the church.

After all,the church is composed of people-who are at different levels spiritually.So,we are accountable and we have a great responsibility of finding out and studying God's Word for ourselves.God has not placed the knowledge of His will on pastors,elders or leaders.He has made it available in His Word and in the testimonies.

We cannot hold the church and its leaders responsible for our ignorance on certain doctrines.Instead,we only have ourselves to blame.If we earnestly seek to know God's will,we will search for ourselves and God,who has promised to be there when we seek Him,will reveal His will to us,even if it means we are the first ones to come to light.

We will not be saved because the church taught it;but we will be saved by searching the Scriptures for ourselves and adhering to God's revealed will.In heaven,we can never answer,"the pastor did not preach it".God works in mysterious ways to lead us to the truth and we have a responsibility to work with him.It is time for each one of us to actually work for our own salvation and to not depend on any men,except the man,Jesus Christ and His revealed will,through the Bible and the testimonies.

Prove all things

"Prove all things,hold fast that which is good."-1 Thessalonians 5:21

Growing up,because I attend a church where we use the Bible as the standard for everything,I concluded everything that is done or said is right.But I've later realised that it is not enough to be in a church that knows the truth BUT you have to know it for yourself.In fact,Christianity is an individual thing,each person follows Christ alone-hence we need to know Him personally.

The Bible admonishes us "to study to show ourselves approved of God" so that we may be able to "answer to every men that asks about our hope" and why we do things in a particular way.It is a Christian duty.God goes on to say,"man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God".From this I can conclude that God's Word teaches us how to live as Christians.So,if you don't read His Word,how can you make His will yours?

Further on,Jesus said in Matthew 24 one of the major signs that his return is soon would be false prophets.People who come with new doctrines or who twist doctrines in the Bible for their own good.And what best way to be equipped than knowing God's Word? In fact,who likes being lost?No one does and God has provided His Word as a map for what is right and wrong.

One thing many of us fall into is; when we love a certain individual/pastor we tend to agree with everything they say and sadly,at times they might be wrong,but because of love for them we may become blinded and even fall.It is better to search God's Word before agreeing with someone,because after all,we are serving God and not man.

I remember this instance in my life,I was around 13 years of age.I remember hearing that certain women were fighting to be ordained as pastors and I was ecstatic.Mind you,I did not even know what being "ordained" meant.It was later on that I learnt women are not called to be elders and pastors and I cringe at the thought that I once agreed with this.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path"-Psalm 119:105

If we want to know God's will,who best to consult rather than God?Sometimes,we tend,rather I tend to ask people what I should do in certain situations without consulting God.But now I'm learning,when we sincerely seek to know God's will,He will reveal it to us.Not only should we pray,but sincerely search the Word.

"It is written" is our only safety as there are many false doctrines going around;like the dead going directly to heaven/hell after death,sunday being the day of worship,easters,the dead being able to communicate etc.

The error of this age

In Christ's time:

 The Pharisees knew the Scripture from beginning to end;but their knowledge of Scripture did not make them better people.Instead,they thought knowing made them better.But had they practised all they knew out of love,they would have been regarded as good examples.Instead,they used the Scripture to oppress and in the end we are admonished that "your righteousness should surpass that of the Pharisees".In fact,they even used the Scripture trying to trick Jesus so that they could kill him.

In this age:

Christianity is one of the controversial religions mainly because we are never in agreement YET we have one Bible and one God and the question is,what is the matter?Well,we do not study the Bible for ourselves.We are happy to let others search the Scriptures for us.We are happy to to google things that we don't understand.But God promised that He will send us the Holy Spirit,which will 'teach us and guide us into all truth'.In fact,God promised,"if you diligently seek me,you shall find me" and His Word provides knowledge about God.

In fact,it is the DUTY of every Christian to search the Scriptures for himself some that he may be able to know what God's will is and so that we may may be able to answer those who have a desire to know why we do  certain things.

  ^"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."-2 Timothy 2:15

1 Peter 3:15New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

We can only give an answer when we diligently study the word of God.

We also study the Word of God so that we can share the gospel and so that we may be able to discern between good and evil.  

Living in  these last days,we face the risk of following that which God has not commanded because there are many false prophets as Christ warned there would be in the last days.Furthermore,we often forget that as Christians we are followers of Christ.So,all that we do,Christ must have done.

ALSO:we are to be careful not to add or subract from the word of God.

For example:nowhere in the Bible are we commanded to celebrate easter and nowhere are we told to celebrate Christmas,so why do it?There only 2 things/memorials we have been commanded to remember or to celebrate or practise and that is;The Sabbath and Holy Communion.

 

  

 

Importance of Personal Bible Study

Our High Calling : Page 37

32. Storing the Mind with Truth

That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more . Job 34:32.
Take your Bible and present yourself before your heavenly Father, saying, "Enlighten me; teach me what is truth." The Lord will regard your prayer, and the Holy Spirit will impress the truth upon your soul. In searching the Scriptures for yourself, you will become established in the faith. It is of the greatest importance that you continually search the Scriptures, storing the mind with the Word of God, for you may be separated from the companionship of Christians, and placed where you will not have the privilege of meeting with the children of God. You need the treasures of God's Word hidden in your heart, that when opposition comes upon you, you may bring everything to the Scriptures. . . .
We are living in the last days, when error of a most deceptive character is accepted and believed, while truth is discarded. Many are drifting into darkness and infidelity, picking flaws with the Bible, bringing in superstitious inventions, unscriptural theories, and speculations of vain philosophy; but it is the duty of everyone to seek a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
Truth is efficient only as it is carried out in practical life. If the Word of God condemns some habit you have indulged, a feeling you have cherished, a spirit you have manifested, turn not from the Word of God, but turn away from the evil of your doings, and let Jesus cleanse and sanctify your heart. Confess your faults, and forsake them.
Do not merely assent to the truth, and fail to be a doer of the words of Christ. The truth must be applied to self; it must bring men and women who receive it to the Rock, that they may fall upon the Rock and be broken. Then Jesus can mold and fashion their characters after His own divine character. If we would listen to His voice, we must let silence reign in the heart. The clamors of self, its pretensions, its lusts, must be rebuked, and we must put on the robe of humility, and take our place as humble learners in the school of Christ.