The conscientious, alert follower of Jesus is in constant tension. Every wind of doctrine is blowing with force. Publications by Internet and by printing are flooding our mailboxes, both literal and electronic ones. Voices are clamoring to be heard with new interpretations of key Bible teaching. Some are seriously aberrant but are clothed in appealing language that is intended to deceive "if it were possible, ... even the very elect" (Matt. 24:24).
The tension is heightened by remembering that it is wrong and stupid to let oneself be deceived by clever falsehoods (we should by now have "eyesalve," Rev. 3:18), but at the same time it is a revived rejection of Christ if we "despise ... prophesyings" that are of heavenly origin (cf. 1 Thess. 5:20). The Lord has a way of raising up "messengers" (often humble ones!) to whom He has revealed new truth that His people need to hear. They are new "Elijahs" facing the hide-bound old King Ahabs, or new "John the Baptists" facing the old "Sanhedrims" that still condemn truth.
In John 6 Jesus stood alone before the Jews, confronting them with a real problem: He split the congregation! The leaders and people were perplexed; how could they interpret the data about Jesus? Was He the Messiah? Were the evidences He gave them valid proofs? We say "yes!" but the problems weren't always easy for the people. Not one of the leaders of the people accepted Him for what He said He was. That confused the common people.
Jesus sympathized with their perplexity, and He sympathizes with yours. He said, "If anyone wants to do [the Father's] will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority" (John 7:17). That promise doesn't excuse us from studying; evidence must be carefully weighed. But it is an assurance of the unerring guidance of the Holy Spirit. Now is the time when we need it as never before!
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
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