I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5) You don't have to look far on the internet nowadays to realize that people can find anything to support their point of view, and don't really care about the facts. This happens on the left, right, center, and all points in between. I'm not saying everyone is wrong, or right. I'm just observing that this only serves one function: to divide. While some say it's about "informing the public," the way in which it is done can be observed to show that it's more to justify your disdain or outright hatred of <insert politician or political figure here>. I expect this in the world, but what is most distressing is how Christians behave. We act as if it is all right to follow the scriptures UNLESS we're offended, UNLESS we're being pushed too far, UNLESS our rights are violated. I'm not trying to yell or scold anyone, but among Christians, the world sees how divided we are, as opposed to how Jesus said they SHOULD see us: in our love for one another. The root cause: our selfishness, and gathering for ourselves, as Paul says, teachers who suit our itching ears. Loved ones, there is only one truth, and it is not found in state houses, palaces, or any other place but God's word. All of it. We either believe God, or we don't. We either take Him at His word, or we don't. We can't like some things God says, and disregard the rest. In 2 Timothy 3, Paul says of Scripture: 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
It is ALL sacred. It is ALL inspired. Even the parts we disagree with (interpretation, however, is a different subject for a different time). We need not merely to agree with it, not merely to nod our heads when we hear something we like, but ask the Holy Spirit honestly and earnestly to search our hearts, and if we have anything that grieves the Father to remove it. We need the full council of God, not merely the snippets we like.
God's word is breathing, active, and alive, and will not return to Him void. Are you living this out, or seeking teachers for your itching ears?
