Vol.XI No.II Pg.5
April 1974

Do Not Cancel!!

Robert F. Turner

In this part of the country there are thousands of sincere religious folk who stoutly affirm that one must follow Jesus, go by the Bible, or worship scripturally—who then cancel out all they have said. They are not hypocrites, they are not trying to deceive anyone. Unwittingly they have deceived themselves, but it is not easy to convince them of this for the deception is inherent in their social and religious background. Feelings, emotions, and even superstitions have become so prominent in their way of thinking that it is very difficult for them to be objective.

On several occasions I have heard someone say, Just follow Jesus, and all will be well! And I ask, Where? How? What does Jesus want of me? It soon becomes apparent that they know very little of what Jesus teaches— had scarcely realized this is so essential to follow Jesus. Their statement becomes an empty slogan.

It is standard procedure for most sects and cults to claim that they go by the Bible, when actually they go by their experience or feelings. Moving testimonials can be documented for everything from the most fundamental (?) snake-handler in east Tennessee, to Christian Science (?) in Boston— and prove nothing of God. The man who tells you his experience and expects you to see by it that he has a direct line to heaven, will reject the same sort of testimony which you may offer for something contrary to his doctrine. Surely thinking folk can see something is amiss. But I know how I feel, he insists. Certainly you do— you just do not know that God made you feel that way. Gods will is revealed in the completed Scriptures. (2 Tim. 3:15-17; 2 Pet. 3:15-16;1:3 Jn. 16:12-13)

In our country the people I am writing about do not have to be convinced the Bible is from God. Many of them believe it is complete, and our service to God must be scriptural. But they cancel this with a reservation, felt if not uttered. It must be spiritually discerned. They will tell you they mean the Holy Spirit, but they mean as He discerns it for them, not necessarily as you read it, nor even as Paul or Peter wrote it. This boils down to spiritually discerned by their own spirit. If any scripture is cited for this concept of interpretation it is 1 Cor. 2:14. They agree the natural man trusts the wisdom of this world but fail to see that the opposite in context are the inspired apostles and prophets by whom Gods will was revealed. When we hear and accept what Paul wrote — because of the divine source of his information, then our faith is in the power of God rather than in our own wisdom. (Vs. 1-5, Eph. 3:l-5) God has already seen to it that the message is understandable (Eph. 3:4).

And the old dodge it doesnt say not to do so and so, denies the completeness of the Bible. When you send your child to the store for crackers and cheese do you have to add, Now dont get flour, beans, milk, — and name all the other items there?? No, you consider your order complete when you say what to do. And so does God!!

Dont cancel heavens invitation!!