1) I don’t read blogs (or many books for that matter) because: my passion and desire is to live for Christ in the purest form possible.
 
When it comes to growing in our walk with Christ, why is important  to read books and be taught by those God has gifted His church with to serve in  that manner and to avoid books and teachings by unbelievers? Or to pose the question in a more direct manner as in my last post; why can it be dangerous and  stifling to be taught (book or sermon) by anyone not Spirit led?
 
Many reasons exist but we’ll focus on two.  First, the simple answer is deception.  If we desire to know and do truth (CBC core value #1), if we really want to pursue after truth and find freedom in Christ….drum roll please…..then stick with truth.  Right?  Simple, isn’t it?
 
Listen now brothers and sisters, walking with Christ is NOT complicated.  Yes, the unreachable  and unknowable depth of God’s word is profound. And the riches found by digging deep in the Word are worth much more than silver or gold.  However, get this and get this good; The Gospel of Christ is as simple as it is deep. 
 
Here’s how we walk with God. Know truth (Christ), by grace and in faith walk in truth (Christ). Nothing more, nothing less; truth and faith, know God and believe God. Religions complicate things, God simplifies them.

And so here is why it can be dangerous and stifling to our walk to read anything not Spirit led: because the ONLY way to complicate this simplicity is with deception. Whether the deception we are exposed to is intentional as it was by Satan in the garden and as he still deceives today or unintentional as delivered to us by well-meaning teachers and authors doesn’t really matter; deception is dangerous and stifling.
 
Deception places doubt in our minds regarding the truthfulness and trustworthiness of God. The only Book ever written in which we can be absolutely certain that there isn’t a single shred of deception, intentional or otherwise, is the Bible. That is why I tend to stick to the Word, there is NO deception in the Word of Christ, it is pure truth.
 
Lord willing in my next post we’ll look at reason number 2.

In His Peace,
Pastor Fred

1) I don’t read blogs (or many books for that matter) because: My  passion and desire is to live for Christ in the purest form  possible.
 
With our foundation set on Christ and Him alone let’s delve into  other resources outside of the Bible. First let me say that I’m not a “lone  Ranger” Christian.  Yes, I’ve read  books and have been edified by them.   And yes, I do follow one blog right now.  It is being written by a dear sister in  Christ who is sharing her heart and journey after tragically (God ordained)  losing her husband (my friend and brother in Christ) in a work accident last  year. 

So if I do read some books and I’m following a blog what gives? Well the reality of being God’s adopted son is I’m not an only child.  God has gifted His body of believers  with those who understand and teach us about Him. These brothers and sisters are enlightened by the Holy Spirit to understand the Word  of God and are  empowered by the Holy Spirit to teach and preach  it.
 
Knowing which books are from gifted brothers and sisters in  Christ is where discernment comes in. And I want to clearly qualify this next  statement by saying of course we read secular books to learn about history,  math, science and other informative subjects to live life.  However, when it comes to growing more like Christ and closer to our  Father in heaven, for most of us, it can be dangerous and stifling to our walks to read anything not of the Spirit.
 
If we desire to love God and each other deeper then we need to be  taught the Word of God in the power of God and He has given (gifted) us each  other to do it together. It’s truly that simple.
 
Lord wiling next post we’ll look at why being taught (book or sermon) anything not Spirit lead can be dangerous and stifling.  Also, how to tell the difference. 
  
In His Peace,
Pastor Fred

1) I don’t read blogs (or many books for that matter) because: My passion and desire is to live for Christ in the purest form possible.
 
As radical as the reality of the combination of God’s Word and God’s Spirit being the purest form of learning and living truth may be to some…it is TRUE. Nothing can or should be said to soften this truth AND  believing it is important in our growth in Christ.
 
The next word in this blog is important.  It is not ”however”, “but” or  “conversely”.  The next word is  “therefore”,  “consequently”, or  “building on that truth” or “with this always in mind”.  So let’s try this.
 
There is only one source of pure truth and that is Christ and His Word, and there is only one perfect teacher of His Word and that is the Holy  Spirit. (PERIOD!)  Knowing,  believing and always remembering that truth, when we read, hear, touch, taste, smell, see or feel ANYTHING in our lives, it must be authenticated by the Word  and Spirit of Christ as kingdom of God truth or it is deception. (SECOND PERIOD!)
 
Do you agree with this? For me, the previous paragraph is Non-negotiable. And quite honestly it  should be for anyone that calls themselves a Christian.  As God’s children, by grace through faith we follow the Word of Christ by the guidance and power of the Spirit of Christ for the glory of God.
 
NOW, we are ready to move on…..in the next post.
In His Peace,
Pastor Fred

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