There are many people out there who like to make slogans for the church, and, while some may be right, and some may be inspiring, there is nothing like a word preached in accordance with the Scriptures. Consider it seriously: how many people know more Christian Slogans than they do scriptures they’ve memorized? I think this is a dangerous slope to walk on, as it could lead to us being deceived by something that looks and sounds Christian, rather than something that is from God Himself. Many cults and false religions have been started by extra-biblical sources, and, as Paul said, the faith of many has been upset by some of these things. The Church does not need more Christian Slogans. What we need is followers of Jesus living like Christ according to the Scriptures!
The reasons we should all be so big on the importance of Scriptures is that if we’re grounded in it, we’re less likely to be deceived by false teachings that sound biblical. If I can admit, I’ve even been sucked in by some of these teachings, because they sounded good, until further examined through the scriptures. I’m not saying we don’t need preaching and teaching: quote the opposite! We do, however, need to test the teaching through the scriptures! And the proof of the testing is by the scriptures, in that we compare ourselves with God’s standards and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. This is how the world will see and know we serve Christ: we live like Him and honor His teachings by living them out. Stop giving slogans, live like Christ through the Scriptures by the power of the Holy Spirit!
1 Peter 2
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”
And
“A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
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