APPROVES THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT
Today, there is a common phenomenon in society where half-truths are rampant and indistinguishable from facts for there is but a fine line between truth and falsehoods.
We have an innate sense of justice in our hearts and can generally discern between what is right and what is wrong. Justice will prevail as long as we are not prejudicial, do not practise favouritism or hide the truth. Nevertheless, distorted facts have become so prevalent in society today that it is making a mockery of the truth.
We should set aside all discussions about the truth from the worldly point of view and instead, focus on the truth of God.
Paul said, “For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes”.
2Cor. 1:19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.
Peter testified by the name of Jesus Christ before the rulers of the people and elders of Israel.
Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
The devil is the perpetual enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the apostolic period, the devil manipulated some to [peddle] the word of God (2 Cor 2:17) and to pervert the gospel of Christ (Gal. 1:7). Hence, Paul warned the Galatian church that “if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed”.
Gal. 1:6-9 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
The Lord Jesus Christ had forewarned His disciples that many false christs and false prophets would arise and deceive many by preaching falsely called knowledge.
Matt. 24:11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Matt. 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
Matt. 24:23-24 Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. 24For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Matt. 24:25-26 See, I have told you beforehand. 26Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.
Some thought that they should change the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to keep up with changing trends and times. Some even denounced the Bible as a collection of fables instead of the faithful words of God and hence, unworthy of our unceasing belief.
Col. 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
We are reminded that those who preach deceitfulness are preaching the doctrines of Satan, for we know that the Lord “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8)
We must not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. Rather, we should contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
Heb. 13:8-9 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
There are numerous Christian denominations today, so much so that they resorted to calling their church by unconventional names to better promote their interests and to highlight the supposed errors of others. Unfortunately, their actions only led to more confusion.
Paul warned the church in Corinth to take heed of those who preached another Jesus, a different spirit or a different gospel.
2Cor. 11:4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted--you may well put up with it!
We must follow the gospel preached by the apostles for they preached the words of truth. We must take heed of the truth for anything that is not the truth is heresy.
Today, we rely on the words of the Bible so that we can distinguish between truth and falsehood, understand God’s will and approve the things that are excellent.
Rom. 2:18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
The Bible records that we must search the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things [are] so.
Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The only way to approve the things that are excellent (i.e. to discern between truth and falsehood) is to set aside our prejudices as fellow believers and always obey the Holy Spirit of truth.
Heb. 2:1-4 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
(The Holy Spirit Times – 10.08 1965)
The ACTS 2023 September/October