Just as the sighting of a single swallow in the sky does not necessarily mean summer has arrived, one or two verses cannot form the basis for sound doctrine.
You can judge the maturity of a Christian by the way he allows scriptures to impact his thoughts and life. Whereas a mature believer’s thoughts and life are shaped by the WHOLE counsel of God’s word, both the Old and New Testament, the same cannot be said of those who fondly cling on to their pet verses.
If perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), does it mean we don’t have to fear God anymore? “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). http://bit.ly/1iFjeql
In many cases, it is possible to build any “doctrine” we want if we muster support from our favourite passages, conveniently neglecting contrasting viewpoints from other verses.
However, just as the sighting of a single swallow in the sky does not necessarily mean summer has arrived, one or two verses cannot form the basis for sound doctrine.
Let us now consider some instances where we can veer off the right track if we are fixated on or enamoured with our pet passages:
Let us now consider some instances where we can veer off the right track if we are fixated on or enamoured with our pet passages:
If perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), does it mean we don’t have to fear God anymore? “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). http://bit.ly/1iFjeql
Just because we are saved by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), does it mean we can now rest easy and do nothing? Truth be told, we also need to play our part—work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2: 12). “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). http://bit.ly/1d3txfc
While it is highly unlikely any born-again believer will continue to pursue a sinful lifestyle because God's seed remains in them (1 John 3:9), the possibility of believers falling away (apostasy) and receiving damnation is real (Hebrews 6:4-8). http://bit.ly/SFapBp
Just because believers are no longer under law but under grace (Romans 6:14-15), does it mean we can be above the law? A paradox is found in apostle Paul’s argument: “Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law” (Romans 3:31). Jesus puts it succinctly: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). http://bit.ly/1d0B0M3
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