If you are confident in your knowledge, say: “Thank You, Lord.” However, ensure you do not deceive yourself by leaning to your understanding of God’s will. If you follow the Lord Jesus, your religion should reflect who Jesus is in you and to you. The religion that claims Jesus as High Priest is not one where people set their own standards, proclaim their own righteousness, and expect favors from God because they think they are highly favored. Scripture says: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Rom. 12:3). If you believe you are more deserving, then you are following a thought pattern that is egotistical and condescending. Followers of the Lord are quick to listen and slow to speak, and they are careful to follow godly protocols.
“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith” (2 Cor 13:5). Do not listen to people who are promoting a false gospel that is self-righteous and foolhardy. People who follow a false gospel have vain conversations, and their lives are full of practices that are not pleasing to the Lord. Do you think the Lord is pleased with “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:17-19)? These are things the Lord hates.
Examine yourself, your conscience, your moral compass, and your religion. Make sure what you say you believe can withstand an examination against the Message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must pay close attention to what the Scripture says the Lord commands. Listen to the Word of God as if your life depends on it. As gospel ministers, we must encourage you to listen to the Word of God and incorporate what you hear into your daily living. We testify to the fact that God’s Word can inspire and transform your thoughts, your words, your character, and your conduct. Ensure the religion you claim to believe and the faith you say rules your heart is not seasoned with false doctrine.
Do not practice or condone things the Lord hates, it is not the religion that James describes: “What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world” (James 1:27). Religious beliefs based in the Gospel Message are active, show concern for the helpless, avoids worldly attitudes, and exposes deeds of darkness. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5)!
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
