My Daily Pause

Peter Confronts Simon – 1620 – Avanzino Nucci

Despite being fully immersed in practicing something other than the gospel, Simon believed and was baptized when he heard the genuine “good news.” (Acts 8:9-13)

It is difficult to teach – or even approach – someone that has a lot invested in a false doctrine. (By false doctrine, I mean a teaching that is different from what the Bible teaches.) Like Simon …

…their personal income might come from it.

…they may have started a large project in its name.

…they may have committed time and money to help spread it.

Luckily, since true faith only comes from the word of God, (Romans 10:17) it is not impossible to change someone in these situations. Philip showed us that in the Simon the Sorcerer account.

Note that I didn’t say it was easy, just possible.

The possibility comes…

• from commanding the knowledge needed to prove the false teaching wrong
• from living a lifestyle that reflects what you teach
• from standing your ground even when it makes the relationship uncomfortable.

Luckily, God only holds us accountable for planting the seed of truth – He’ll give the increase in his own time. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7) Like Simon, if they desire to be honest with their heart, they will come around to the truth.

Landscape with the Parable of the Sower – 1557 – Pieter_Bruegel

The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. – Mark 4:26

Jesus’ parable about gathering souls to Christ is short, (Mark 4:26-29) but it offers one strong reminder of how souls find their way to Christ. We are the man that scatters the seeds on the ground.

Just like the farmer, we don’t have to know how the seed grows (Mark 4:27) – God will take care of the growth once we plant.

Just like the farmer, we will not see immediate results (Mark 4:28) – we should not get discouraged when there is no growth right away.

Just like the farmer, we gather the harvest as soon as it is ready (Mark 4:29) – our example and encouragement helps bring maturity.

Sowing the seeds of the kingdom is a lot of hard work. It is necessary work though. Just like the farmer cannot expect his field to yield a fine crop without sowing seed, we cannot expect people of the world to come to Christ without an introduction and an invitation.

What can you do today to improve how you scatter seed?

The difficulties in bringing the Gospel to others in today’s climate is nothing new. The boldness that seems to have suddenly grown among notable scientists and other “educated” people to rule against the Bible as a factual document might seem edgy and groundbreaking, but Paul was dealing with the same thing in his day.

The Apostle Paul – Bartolomeo Montagna (1450–1523)

A number of scientific theories and ideas have taken hold and are discussed as facts. These are even ideas that conflict with established scientific laws and definitions. Even though it takes more faith to believe in these theories due to the inherent problems with them than it does to believe in the Bible, the world is choosing poorly. Other than the miracles which operated outside of scientific explanation, (they were miracles after all) the Bible has never been discredited by science, archeology or mathematics.

The prospect of going into Rome might have been a daunting prospect for Paul, but he reassures his brothers there (and us today) that he is not afraid to share the Gospel. (Romans 1:16-17) Why? Because it contains salvation! The Gospel is the sum total of:

• Facts we need to believe
• Commandments we need to be obey
• Promises we need to accept

The Bible has been placed under more examination, duress, attack, study, commentary than any other document in history and it still stands. A guide for life, love, and security.

Perhaps we should be try harder to be bold like Paul.

Daily Bible reading for October 4

Psalm 64
2 Samuel 24
Ezekiel 25
Romans 1:1-17

In 2 Corinthians 11:3-6, Paul’s writes of his concern for those at risk of falling for another Gospel. In Galatians 1:6-10, he expresses his astonishment at the Christians being so easily swayed by the popular false doctrine of the time.

I wonder what he would say if he were able to see the various “different gospels” (Galatians 1:6) being taught today.

No matter what is culturally popular, God’s word remains the only correct guideline for salvation.

 ⁹ Don’t speak to fools;
they will only ignore your wise words. – Proverbs 23:9 NCV

Both the Proverb writer and the Lord agree that we shouldn’t cast our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6).

But aren’t we supposed to bring the gospel to the world?

In the same way a farmer wouldn’t try to plant in shallow soil, we should put our efforts into those that are willing to listen to the good news. Jesus explains it all in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-15).