Someone will surely ask, what is so magnificent about this God you serve? Well, His Word is the Truth, and we believe that "Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures are not just for one group of people; they are for the entire human race. What is happening today is not new; King Solomon set his heart to seek and search by wisdom what happens under heaven. He understood wisdom and knowledge and experienced madness and folly. Then he put pen to paper and told us the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments.
Scriptures document the Truth that we know in our hearts. We know that as a child of God, "We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this" (2 Corinthians 4:2). We ask you to consider separating yourself from dishonest people and shameful deeds. Ask yourself what lasting reward you get from evil. If you did what you used to do before you believed, would they bring you the same satisfaction?
Let us put it this way; there are many disappointments because it is impossible to isolate from violence, diseases, and chaos. The outcome for many is death, but even that encourages us to proclaim the Truth. As individuals, we suffer afflictions, sometimes never knowing why we do the things we do. However, when we renew our strength and trust in the Lord, we are given a different viewpoint and a way to overcome our doubts and confusion.
We know that afflictions are somewhat commonplace, but we will not allow this acceptance to deter us from proclaiming the Truth. We will not allow our minds to be blinded, making us doubt whether the Gospel of the kingdom is authentic. We believe that the Gospel we know directs us to the Way, the Truth, and the Life. As servants of the Lord, we are not quarrelsome, but we do take issue with anyone refusing to proclaim the Truth or distort the Truth that is God's Word.
We say this because, at the appointed time, God will judge, and "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10). What we are saying does not come from a heart filled with deceit. We are not trying to trick you. We are proclaiming God's Truth, so you can decide for yourself how to live your life in a world full of shady characters and, to be blunt, distorted interpretations of God's Word.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
