April 2019
Text Box: Pastor’s Thoughts           Having recently done some drywall mud work, something I’ve not done for ten years or more, I looked at the finished product with disdain. I had forgotten a simply but vital part of the procedure. The results surly didn’t create a sense of accomplishment. However here is the question, should I accept the imperfection, settle the issue by some means of justification, or take the time and expense to redo the project?           We settle for many things in life. Things like clothes that don’t fit just right, colors that are just a shade off, and weak batteries in our remote control. We buy a new car and the first time at walmart we get a nasty door ding. Do we get it fixed or settle for the dint? You wanted to marry a blond but you fell in love with a red headed and lived happily ever after. I hope I am bringing you into my train of thought by now. Learning to be content with imperfection is part of life. However there is great risk involved when we settle for misrepresentations of Biblical truth.           God’s truth is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It is perfect, flawless and preserved for time and eternity. Don’t settle for half truth, false teaching, or some scripture plucked from it context to misrepresent God’s point of view. An example, thinking Jesus was a whiner because scripture states that, “Jesus wept”.            The Bible, when viewed as a whole, interprets itself. Commentaries can help us grasp historical and cultural perspectives thus guiding us into correct interpretation, but we must guard that the commentator’s view is not regarded as definitive authority. Proper translation of scripture is another key, so choosing to explore various versions of the Bible as well as the use of Greek and Hebrew concordances or dictionaries can be a great influence toward sound Biblical understanding. Reading books and listening to sermons from respected authors and tried preachers can have both positive and negative influence on our view of truth. But the greatest asset at your disposal is the Holy Spirit in whom Jesus assured, “He will guide you into all truth” John 16:13           Ours is to take hold of what is sure and yet remain open to the Spirit’s influence that new perspectives and insights might be given. We must invest ourselves in a lifelong quest to know the truth and never to settle for anything other than truth. Truth sustains faith, places our lives in the hand of the Master, and frees us from man’s control and influence. As recorded in Rom 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;…” Read Paul’s statement within the context and never settle for anything other than “TRUTH”.