The Church In Dangerby Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger 06 Jan 2009 07:29 PM
Today the church is in danger of absorbing the ideas and values of the world, rather than the ideas and values of God as taught in the bible. We would do well to take note of the book of Colossians, which is written to a church in danger. The Colossian church was in danger from deception and false teaching, Colossian 2:8 and from criticism, Colossians 2:16-18. These Colossian Christians were people who wanted to know God but, having heard and responded to the message about Jesus as given them by Epaphras, they still felt that something was missing from their Christian experience. There are people who think like that today, who are not content to read God's Word and follow biblical truth but feel they must have something else - signs or wonders, or tongues or some other unique experience of the Spirit. Basically the Colossian church was being challenged 'How do you know you really know God?' We might ask ourselves the same question. These Colossians had all that was needed. It was obvious to Paul because their lives were bearing fruit. What about our lives? Are we bearing fruit? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 assures us that through the Scriptures we have all that we need. We don't need added extras. In other words it's not in the bible you don't need to know it to live a life pleasing to God, Colossians 1:9-10. Yet, many people back then and in today's world feel they need some extra experience of God to prove their connection with God. The only proof we need is as we read God's Word, He changes us and we see the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We may sometimes long for signs and wonders, we many even see them in our lives as we read the Bible and pray, but we don't need them to prove where we stand with God. They certainly don't make us more spiritual or a better class of Christian. In my next blog I'll explain why that is. Please visit these related blogs Time and Wind and Work of the Holy Spirit The Bible: The Word of God, not Men. Learn more about Dale Harcombe  Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults. Relevantchristian tags User Comments tmwhalens (275) 07 Jan 2009 09:30 PMThis article hits on something that bothered me for YEARS. I was looking for 'proof' that God worked. Occasionally I'd hear a sermon and feel the Holy Spirit from within the church. Or something unexpectedly good would happen to me, and I'd think that God was looking out for me. How often do you EVER hear someone famous say "God was looking out for me" when something bad happens to them? How often do famous people point their finger to the sky (in reference to God) when they win a game or a championship? How often do people "Thank the Lord for that!" when they win the lottery? I knew God existed when I asked him to take complete control of my life. I've not been the same since, in fact I don't even identify with the person that used to defy Him. Community Tags bible, church in danger, Colossians, false teaching, signs and wonders Discuss this article
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