Alepso believes he was born into a Christian family and nation. His Christianity consists of worshipping at Easter and Christmas, and trying to keep out of trouble.
Alepso seldom reads his Bible, but one day he notices Romans 12:1, “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Thinking he already understands Christianity, Alepso gives Romans 12:1 this meaning, “Present yourself at church twice a year. Your act of worship there is quite a sacrifice!”
Alepso hears what seems normal to him, but he misses God’s meaning. His tradition and experience drown out even the simple message of Romans 12, which is about a completely dedicated life.
Magda has taught the ladies’ Bible class for years. This year, however, the church leaders ask another member to teach the class. Magda is furious. She takes the change as a public insult. What should she do? She prays, then opens her Bible. She finds passages that call on Christians to repent and confess their sins.14 She concludes that the leaders must confess their sins against her. They must repent (by giving back her class and her reputation). The leaders fail to comply with Magda’s demands. After further prayer, she uses severe passages to get others to oppose the leaders, eventually causing the congregation to split.
Is Magda listening to the Bible? No, she is listening to her own anger. She claims the Holy Spirit moves her, but her own feelings of bitterness actually move her.15 The leaders simply want others to have a chance to teach. But Magda’s pain dictates her view of the situation and of the Scriptures. The Lord wants her to apply those passages about repentance and confession to herself. She should repent because pride in her teaching position is the root of her pain and anger. Instead, Magda gets worse. Losing all sense of balance, she ignores passages that promote unity through humble, forgiving attitudes.16 She rejects passages about cooperating with leaders.17 She turns the Bible into a weapon to hurt others. Yet those severe passages now apply most directly to her. For in dividing God’s people, she invites God’s severest discipline.18
14. Ac 8:22; Jas 5:16
15. This course emphasizes the glory of “Christ in you” Col 1:27 cf. Eph 3:17; Col 3:11; Gal 2:20; Rom 8:10. This emphasis does not support mysticism and other movements that make their own feelings out to be God’s Spirit within, and their own desires and dreams as His will cf. Jer 23:25-36; 2Th 2:9-12. Feelings are different from faith. Feelings reflect human emotions, which are changeable. Feelings are easily misled and misleading e.g. Pr 12:15; 14:12; 16:25; Mt 7:22-23; 25:24-26. Faith is based on the confirmed, unchanging word of God, Rom 10:17 cf. Ex 4:5,30-31, Jn 20:31, 1Pet 1:23-25, the record revealed to inspired spokesmen, 2Tim 3:16-17, 2Pet 1:20-21, 1Cor 2:13; 14:37, which may even tell us the opposite of what we feel or seem to experience e.g. Gen 15:1-6; Lk 16:15; 18:27; Ac 20:35; Rev 3:17.
16. Eph 4:1-3,31-32; Jas 1:19-20; 3:13-18
17. 1Th 5:12-13; Heb 13:17
18. Pr 6:16-19; Rom 16:17; Gal 5:19-21; Tit 3:10
Picture: Many think of “Church” as a building to visit on “Holy Days.”