It’s not you, it’s me. Sounds like an old breakup line, but it’s how I’ve always kept myself lined up with scripture. It’s what I have to say every time I find something in the Bible I disagree with. I need to remember the words of Paul in 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
I don’t get to pick and choose what I agree with and what I don’t agree with. Either I believe in the Bible as God’s message for me, or I don’t; and if I do, then I need to read it and accept it as written.
I can go to pretty much any bookstore or find thousands of writers online and see how many churches today contradict the simple truths of the Bible. Many of these teachers have several degrees and doctorates and they tell me that what the Bible says about one thing or another isn’t really true, so people don’t have to change after they encounter God. I can forget about the fact for the past several thousand years the Bible has been read and interpreted a certain way, followed a certain way, believed a certain way, because they feel this “certain way” to be wrong. They have discovered a “new truth.”
I have a pretty simple faith. I believe “if it’s new, it’s not true.” I believe in the Bible as it has been preserved for these many millennium. The gospel as it has been passed on to us by those who faithfully followed Christ. That God loves us right where we are, but he loves us enough not to leave us there. He has something better for our life.
Trust God and his word for your life. Don’t always follow the latest fad or the current popular teacher or culture. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 5:12
Lt. Mark Cyr is pastor of The Salvation Army, 661 Colorado St. Carson City, NV 89701. For information, go to carsoncitysalarmy.org.
