Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
17 July, 1996 - Singapore
Good Morning!
"CHERRY PICKING" THE SCRIPTURES
Have you ever picked cherries? The idea is choose the
ripe ones while ignoring the rest.
Some of us "cherry pick" the Scriptures by selecting
the truths we like while disregarding the others.
And what we like to pick from the Scriptures are the truths that
insure God's promises of material blessings, healing, and
general well-being.
- While ignoring His demands for separation from sin;
living a life of integrity, purity, and servanthood.
If we are "cherry picking" the Scriptures, we are guilty
of reducing the Word of God and Jesus Christ to a servile role
that caters to our insatiable self-love.
Conversely, Paul, in preaching God's word resisted the temptation
of "cherry picking" the Scriptures: "I
have not hesitated to proclaim the whole will of God."
(Acts 20:27)
Some time ago I counseled a businessman who, along with his partners
were knowingly marketing a product that was defrauding
their customers.
Imagine it! These men who supposedly had been touched
by the love of Christ were using their position as leaders in
the Christian community to exploit others! Apparently Scriptural
"cherry picking" had dulled their conscience to make
such behavior palatable.
Paul cautioned us: "Live as free men,
But do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil...to
indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
(I Peter 2:16; Galatians 5:13)
QUESTION: Are you ruthlessly applying all
the Scriptures to your life, or are you selectively
"cherry picking" the ones that pander your narcissistic
tendencies?
The next time you are tempted to soften your stance on integrity
by "cherry-picking" the Scriptures you choose
to apply, keep in mind Jesus' warning,
"...If anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy,
God will take away from him his share in the tree of life, and
in the holy city..." (Revelation 22:19a)
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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