(Thanks to Jay for inspiration on this one.)
A journalist friend recently read a book popular in Christian circles that makes bold claims about the supposed spiritual experiences of a family. My friend questioned certain doctrinal issues in the book, but as an investigative reporter, he also turned a keen and experienced eye on the factual integrity of the story. "There's just nothing to verify that any of this actually happened," he says. This led to a discussion about Christian ethics, which should far surpass any other standard and practice.
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day" (Romans 13:13).
In order to qualify as the genuine article, God's will must be accomplished in God's way. Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not afforded license to skirt around matters of truth, virtue, fidelity, and scrupulous devotion to honor and integrity. Our attempts to communicate the Gospel crash on the rocks of dishonesty, and rightly so. Indeed, if relationship with God does not lead to genuine and growing integrity, we must question whether our bond with God holds the influence and reality in our own hearts that we seek to share with others. "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
My friend and I agreed that even had there been no doctrinal anomalies in the book, the factual inconsistencies would have disqualified it from serious consideration. God's will, in God's way. This must serve as the governing parameter of all that believers do in order to meet the test of both obedience to our Lord, and authentic exemplification and communication of Christ to our world.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly."
(Ephesians 5:15)
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day" (Romans 13:13).
In order to qualify as the genuine article, God's will must be accomplished in God's way. Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not afforded license to skirt around matters of truth, virtue, fidelity, and scrupulous devotion to honor and integrity. Our attempts to communicate the Gospel crash on the rocks of dishonesty, and rightly so. Indeed, if relationship with God does not lead to genuine and growing integrity, we must question whether our bond with God holds the influence and reality in our own hearts that we seek to share with others. "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
My friend and I agreed that even had there been no doctrinal anomalies in the book, the factual inconsistencies would have disqualified it from serious consideration. God's will, in God's way. This must serve as the governing parameter of all that believers do in order to meet the test of both obedience to our Lord, and authentic exemplification and communication of Christ to our world.
"See then that ye walk circumspectly."
(Ephesians 5:15)
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