TRUTH: Not All Sources are Created Equal

Posted on January 4, 2012 by MinTools

God makes His truth known through a variety of means but not all are as reliable.

All sources must line up with God’s written Word.  Even Scripture must agree with itself.  Otherwise, it is merely our understanding or interpretation.

Reliable sources of truth:

  • Jesus who is the way, the truth, and the life who leads us to God the Father (Jn 14:6)

We need to look at Jesus through the eyes of Scripture.  We cannot make up our own version of Jesus, picking and choosing what traits we wish to believe.

  • The Spirit of truth who testifies of Christ, guides you into all truth (Jn. 15:26; Jn. 16:13; 1 Jn. 5:6)

We need to remember that the Spirit will never contradict God’s Word.  We are not the ones to determine how the Spirit operates.

  • Scripture which is inspired by God and used by Him to sanctify and equip us (Jn. 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

We need to use the Bible as the grid through which we evaluate everything else.

Unreliable sources of truth:

  • Nature … enough to get us on the path toward God (Rom. 1:18-23) but not sufficient to “thoroughly equip us” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

We need to worship God because of what we can learn about Him through nature but never let any created thing become a substitute for Him and His Word.

  • Our interpretation of truth

We need to get to God’s intent when studying Scripture, not want we want it to say.  Even those who wrote down the words of Scripture did not write what they wanted to say but were guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Pet. 1:20-21).


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Missing Quality: Diligence

Posted on January 2, 2012 by MinTools

Diligence seems to be a missing quality today. Perhaps busyness, lack or work ethic, or simply laziness are to blame. Diligence, however, is not optional but rather commanded in God’s Word.

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.  (1 Tim. 4:15-16)

Diligent in what?

Paul had just written to Timothy about personal integrity, devotion to the Word, and using his spiritual gifts (1 Tim. 4:12-14).

  • Carefully attend to your heart.  Character matters.
  • Take great pains to keep the Word central.  Truth matters.
  • Faithfully use what you have been given to serve.   Stewardship matters.

How diligent?

Look at the surrounding words:  give yourself wholly to them, watch closely, persevere in them

That is total absorption, not just doing enough to get by or to look good.

Why be diligent?

Personal Benefit: 

Progress - You grow or advance. 

Protection - You save yourself from many dangers.

Benefit to Others: 

Pattern - They have an example when they look at your life. 

Protection - They learn from you and avoid the hazards as well.

(Note: When verse 16 says “you will save both yourself and your hearers” it cannot refer to atonement for sin as Scripture clearly proclaims that only Jesus can save in that way. Rather, carefully attending to these things serves as a deterrent, preventative, and protection from so much that can beset us, hold us back, or bring ruin to our lives and testimonies.)

Diligence then, is not only a matter of obedience but it is also profitable.  Let’s ask God to help us to be more diligent as we serve in the church and community, parent our children, and live to the glory of God in the workplace because character, truth, and stewardship matter in all of these settings, in whatever we do.

More for Church Leaders about Diligence


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End of the Year Prayer Survey

Posted on December 28, 2011 by MinTools

While I am not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, I do believe in examining our lives and assessing, by God’s grace and power, where we need to improve.  New Year’s resolutions fall short because:

1)  They tend to grow out of self-assessment rather than asking God to examine our lives. (Ps. 139:23-24; Prov. 3:5-6)

2)  They tend to be pursued with self-determination and self-effort rather than trusting God to work in and through us. (Jn. 15:5; Phil. 4:13)

Is it any wonder so many resolutions fail?

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Ps. 139:23) - Survey your life this past year, praying as you ask the following questions.

How has your life affected those in your sphere of influence?

Hopefully you would be able to say that God used you to bless and build up other people rather than criticize or tear them down.

What have you used to guide you in serving and making everyday decisions?

Hopefully you would be able to say that you looked to God and His Word for direction rather than leaning on your own understanding or following after the ways of the world.

How have you dealt with problems, conflicts, or mistakes made by others or even yourself?

Hopefully you were able to apply both grace and truth rather than going to one extreme or the other.

What have you done to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and in ministry effectiveness?

Hopefully you have grabbed hold of the resources and growth opportunities God put before you rather than merely coast through life.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:24) - As God searches your heart, ask him to show you what He might want you to do differently in the upcoming year.

Perhaps you weren’t able to answer all of the above questions as hoped, or at least not consistently so.  Here is the good news.  You will have a new year ahead of you to change your answers, unless God takes you home to be with Him or if Jesus comes first.  Those aren’t bad options but don’t you want your life to be on track with Him in the meantime, to make a difference now?


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The Great Commission: Whose Responsibility is It?

Posted on December 26, 2011 by MinTools
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matt. 28:18-20)

The original disciples to whom Jesus spoke these words certainly were in a unique position to fulfill Jesus’ words as they were used by Him in a special way to begin the Church.

Missionaries who are committed to full-time ministry of spreading the Gospel through many venues in many places undoubtedly are ones who today can continue the advancement of this commission.

Church leaders whose responsibility it is to support and promote God’s mission undoubtedly have a strategic part in its fulfillment.

People with the spiritual gift of evangelism who have that special divine empowerment to share the Good News would especially be drawn toward the Great Commission.

What about all other Christians?  Is the Great Commission everybody’s responsibility?

Nowhere in the context of these verses do we read that Jesus intended to direct these words only to missionaries, church leaders, or people with the gift of evangelism. 

Verse 16 does let us know that He was speaking to the eleven disciples.  However His concluding words in verse 20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age,” suggest this commission was to continue on past the original disciples. 

Are you a disciple of Jesus today?  You too have a responsibility to fulfill Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples.”

More on the Great Commission


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