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Affirmation or Information

Mark Dunagan
05/06/18 - Sunday Evening

Affirmation or Information?

I was listening this week to a sports commentator on the radio who said that one of the problems with the culture these days is that people are far more interested in affirmation rather than information. That is, rather than being willing to let the information and the facts educate them and bring them to the correct point of view on an issue, they are only interested in listening to what affirms what they already want to believe. This is not only a problem in sports and with political issues, it has been historically a problem when it comes to truth in the spiritual realm as well.

“But I Think… It Seems to Me”

One of the problems faced by mankind is that we tend to think that the truth is whatever sounds or feels right to us at the moment. Yet, we are frequently warned that the truth may be the complete opposite of what feels or sounds right to us:

• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
• “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26).
• “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). This warning is repeated in 16:25.
• “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15). This verse defines a foolish person as someone who rests upon their own opinions and feelings as the final authority.

Reality is Often Far Different

Sometimes people will say something like, “I don’t see how God would have a problem with…”. Yet the truth of the matter is that unless God reveals His will on a subject, we don’t have a clue how He feels about this or that:

• “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Observe in the context that God calls upon the wicked man to forsake his thoughts (55:7). That is, we are to forsake all thoughts, feelings and opinions that are found to be contrary to what God has revealed in Scripture. Even if we are very religious, our feelings and opinions can still be unreliable. I am reminded that when Jesus gave His teaching on divorce and remarriage, that His own disciples were stunned (Matthew 19:9-10), even though they were very spiritual men.

Testing the Reliability of My Feelings

After reading 2 Samuel 6:3-7 many readers like king David at the time are either angry at God for striking Uzzah dead or really confused. Most readers can’t see what the big deal was. David finally understood. God had given specific directions on how to transport the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 15:2, 13-15), and they had ignored those simple rules. In fact, to help everyone remember how it was to be transported, there were poles attached to this piece of furniture as a vivid reminder – it was supposed to be carried. Most people after being given that information, still think that such an infraction did not warrant the death penalty, and it really isn’t that big of deal. In fact, many religious people simply ignore this account. They are not interested in this information for it does not affirm what they want to believe. This should remind us that our feelings are very unreliable when it comes to accurately reflecting what God values.

Do I even have a right to an opinion on that subject?

We live in a culture that puts a high premium on freedom of speech and expression to the point that people often feel that they have an innate right to have an opinion on just about everything, including what belongs to God. For example: 

• How Many End Up Saved?

Many people have the opinion that most people, except the extremely wicked will end up in some kind of better place after death. Yet, do I even have a right to have an opinion in this area? For I did not create the human race, heaven does not belong to me, and I have done nothing to make salvation possible for myself or others. Here is an area where the information is different from what most people believe. The information is that the way to life is a narrow way and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).

• What is Hell Like?

Many people no longer believe that hell even exists. Yet the information is clear on the topic:

• “But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:12).
• “Depart from Me, accursed one, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41).
• “And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

Now, if God had said that He was going to save everyone regardless of how they lived, that would be fine with me, after all, I am not the Creator. If God said that hell does not exist, that is okay with me as well. Yet God has said the exact opposite. As Christians, we need to love truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12), rather than being in love with our own feelings or opinions about things. 

• What to do to be Saved?

It is very popular today to say that in order to be saved all a person needs to do is believe in Jesus, or believe in Jesus and say the “sinner’s prayer”. Sadly, there are people who regardless of all the verses are that lined up that say otherwise, they refuse such information and only read verses that mention faith. Admittedly there are verses that link faith with salvation (John 3:16, etc…), yet that is not all the information. There are verses that also link repentance with salvation (Acts 2:38), confessing Christ with salvation (Romans 10:9-10) and baptism with salvation (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21). In fact, one of the verses that links faith with salvation also links baptism with salvation (Mark 16:16). The Bible even has a verse that specifically denies salvation by faith alone (James 2:24) and specifically affirms that baptism is necessary for salvation (1 Peter 3:21). By the way, there is not one single passage that teaches a “sinner’s prayer” prior to salvation. So, once again, am I interested in my opinions and feelings being affirmed or am I far more interested in correct information?

• Can I lose my salvation?

Many say no, but the information says otherwise: “If we deny Him, He also will deny us” (2 Timothy 2:12)

• How Much Error Is Allowed?

Many people feel that God is rather lenient when it comes to doctrine. That churches can be wrong on doctrine or ignore it, and still be right with God. Yet, the information says otherwise:

• “Keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17).
• “So that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
• “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed” (Galatians 1:8).
• “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3).
• “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God” (2 John 9).

So when it comes to truth, are we wanting affirmation for our opinions or correct information?   Remember, we will be judged by the words of Jesus (John 12:48), so all viewpoints and practices not based on His teachings will fail to survive His scrutiny and approval. The only solid foundation is what He taught (Matthew 7:24).

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.com
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net