A confused Christian and I have corresponded concerning his spiritual backsliding. Time after time, this Christian moves two steps forward, gets tempted by the lusts and greeds of worldly things, and falls three steps back. Over the years, when he has fallen off the path, he’ll get in touch, and we get him to focus once again on the Word of God. Once a person removes their self focus, and worldly focus, and puts it back on the spiritual things of God, then spiritual restoration can begin.
I received a letter from him suggesting that I was “legalistic” in my interpretation of his sins. He believes that what he does might be a sin for others, but not for him, because it makes him feel good, therefore it must be good. If it makes him happy, then it can’t be a sin. He is so very wrong, and you can be assured that I told him so with the Word of God coming through loud and clear.
Preachers, Pastors, Priests, Teachers of the Word of God, Mature Christians, Parents, Friends, Christian Brothers and Sisters should ALWAYS correct, reprove, and instruct their loved ones if they are doing something that could cause the loss of their spiritual growth toward God. Failure to do so, is a lack of love and an act of cowardice.
The time has arrived when young or weak Christians are refusing to endure sound doctrine, but instead are going after their own lusts. Instead of searching for the True Will of the LORD God, they instead make up their own beliefs, and find teachers that let them off easy by preaching the very things they want to hear. This condition is called “itchy ears”. They don’t want to hear the truth, they just want to hear what they choose, and find a teacher to scratch their itch for their pleasure.
All of the Teachers of the Word of God with Becker Bible Ministries, Inc. take the responsibility of saying it like it is, as well as we can in accordance with His Word. We don’t tickle or itch the ears. We don’t call our dedication to the Word of God legalism or constructive criticism. We call it making full proof of our ministry. We call it loving our brothers and sisters in Christ enough to help them stay focused on the things that are important to their spiritual growth. We believe that it is a strong and courageous Christian that is able to stand against the tide of popular liberalism, and declare consistently the Word and Will of God.
With what standard do you measure? Who in this life is your treasure? By what focus do you judge me?
Let me always be with a congregation of believers who measure me with the Word of God, who have the treasure of Jesus Christ, who focus on their love for me and each other to reprove, correct, instruct, preach, exhort, uphold, teach the Word of God, so we might help each other become perfect, righteous and thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
As long as we are using the Word of God, and not the doctrines of men, it’s all good!
2 Timothy 3:16-4:8
“16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
4:1 I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (2 Timothy 3:16-4:8
AV)
