“This information is incorrect.”
A partisan group came out with a post claiming that its caravan has achieved Guinness record status, only to be debunked by THE Guinness Book of World Records a couple of days later with a reply, “This information is incorrect.” (I have to hand it these guys for knowing how to word it nicely. If it were I, I would have been sarcastic---and more fun---in my response.) At best, the statement is wishful thinking; at its worst, it’s deceitful.
One does not set a world record on his/her say-so otherwise we would all go anarchy-crazy claiming this and that. There are objective standards to be met as set by the organization tasked to be the keeper of records. In a way, it is the same with us who profess to follow the Way. We can claim all we want but we are not one simply on our say-so. There are objective standards as well:
First and foremost, whose standards are you putting yourself under? To be a true follower, it can only be the Bible. Christ is God, the author of Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16). For our claim to be true, we must adhere to His words through the Word that says that we can only be children of God if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior by faith through grace (John 1:12, Eph. 2:8-9).
Secondly, we need the affirmation of fellow believers and this can only be accomplished if we join a Bible-based church and submit humbly to its authority.
Thirdly, this might come as a shock to some but what do non-believers say? But why should their opinion matter? Because we are not Christians for our sake only but for theirs. Remember the Great Commission. Our objective is to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Are our words and actions credible enough to make them listen to us?
The past six years and during this election season, I have seen a lot of heartbreaking posts and comments how someone can claim to be a Christian and support EJKs and campaigns built on lies. People outside of our faith seem to have a better understanding of our own faith. Truly a lot of us have become a stumbling block that we will answer to God for (Eze. 33).There will come a time when we will face His judgment where He will rebuff some with “This information is incorrect.”
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt. 7:21-23, ESV)
A partisan group came out with a post claiming that its caravan has achieved Guinness record status, only to be debunked by THE Guinness Book of World Records a couple of days later with a reply, “This information is incorrect.” (I have to hand it these guys for knowing how to word it nicely. If it were I, I would have been sarcastic---and more fun---in my response.) At best, the statement is wishful thinking; at its worst, it’s deceitful.
One does not set a world record on his/her say-so otherwise we would all go anarchy-crazy claiming this and that. There are objective standards to be met as set by the organization tasked to be the keeper of records. In a way, it is the same with us who profess to follow the Way. We can claim all we want but we are not one simply on our say-so. There are objective standards as well:
First and foremost, whose standards are you putting yourself under? To be a true follower, it can only be the Bible. Christ is God, the author of Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16). For our claim to be true, we must adhere to His words through the Word that says that we can only be children of God if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior by faith through grace (John 1:12, Eph. 2:8-9).
Secondly, we need the affirmation of fellow believers and this can only be accomplished if we join a Bible-based church and submit humbly to its authority.
Thirdly, this might come as a shock to some but what do non-believers say? But why should their opinion matter? Because we are not Christians for our sake only but for theirs. Remember the Great Commission. Our objective is to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Are our words and actions credible enough to make them listen to us?
The past six years and during this election season, I have seen a lot of heartbreaking posts and comments how someone can claim to be a Christian and support EJKs and campaigns built on lies. People outside of our faith seem to have a better understanding of our own faith. Truly a lot of us have become a stumbling block that we will answer to God for (Eze. 33).There will come a time when we will face His judgment where He will rebuff some with “This information is incorrect.”
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt. 7:21-23, ESV)