Some say “God, You Are Not Good Enough”

(Part 1)

 

▶ No phrase can be more devastating to a child that than these 5 little words – whether they are uttered explicitly or implied by various comments or actions.

 

▶ As hurtful as these words can be to a human being, many people throughout history and even today express this same sentiment about God. They would be too embarrassed and ashamed to say it out loud, but they say it through their actions.

 

▶ This attitude drove Israel and other nations to make and worship idols – gods of their own creation who they could form to comply with their own desires.

 

▶ This same attitude drove people throughout the Old Testament to violate the law of Moses, and transgress the word of God,  because they wanted to do things their own way – God’s way wasn’t good enough for them.

 

▶ To emphasize it’s importance, the warning about “adding to” or “taking away” from God’s Word is explained at the beginning, middle and end of the Bible:

Beginning:  Deu 4:2 ─ You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. 

 

Middle:  Pro 30:5-6 ─  Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. 

 

End:  Rev. 22:18-19 ─  if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

u This verse tells us the punishment for adding or subtracting from God's Word – and it is not trivial !

 

▶ Jesus clearly teaches the error of elevating man-made traditions above the Word of God:

Mar 7:8 ─ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men

Mat 15:6-9 ─ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'  

u This (the underlined) is the very definition of hypocrisy

 

■ Mat 15:1-3 ─ Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread."  He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? u Mat 15:12-14 ─  Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." 

u False teachers will almost always be offended or become defensive and sometimes enraged when you question their teaching or point out it’s inaccuracy. They will  regard YOU as ignorant.

 

We see an interesting Old Testament example of this “God you are not good enough for us” thinking. 1^st Samuel 8:5  And they said unto him ({Samuel} , Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. … (7)  And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 

 

▶ In today’s world,  aren’t all denominations and other man made “world religions” saying the same thing in relation to God? – “God, your Word is not good enough for us – we think you should make some changes?” Aren’t they in reality, rejecting God’s authority and sovereignty just as the people in Samuel’s time did?.

 

▶ Let’ s look at some examples:

1. God, your word is not good enough for us – we need to have creed books, catechisms,

confessions of faith, man-made doctrines.

Gal 1:6-8 ─ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Rev 22:18-19 ─ For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.  , God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

u Creed books by definition are “addendums” to the Bible. If they didn’t contain any additions or subtractions form the Bible, they would be totally unnecessary.

u The first century church did not need a creed book – why would we need one today?

 

 

2.  God, the pattern you have set forth for worship is not good enough for us, we think you should like organs, pianos, rock bands, light shows, waving, swaying, dancing, clapping in the worship. 

Eph 5:19 ─ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord 

Col 3:16 ─ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

u Where in the world did man get the idea that if it pleases him it will also please God?  

u How easily men ignore the wisdom of Soloman: Proverbs 3:5 ─ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

 

 

3. God, we don’t think Christ’s doctrine is the only valid one, doctrines of men should be OK too.

2Jn 1:9-10 ─ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;    u Is this narrowminded? – Yes but it is necessary in order to keep Christ’s doctrine pure and undefiled

Mat 15:9 ─ And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

u Vain means folly, to no purpose, fruitless – men do not seem to realize that man-made doctrines are useless ─ and worse than that, detrimental to their souls.

1Ti 4:1 ─ Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Heb 13:9 ─ Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines.

u These warnings are even more relevant today, because of the world-wide proliferation of false doctrines that are too numerous to count.

 

4.  God, your pattern of organization for your church with local elders and deacons only is not good enough. We need headquarters, synods, conferences, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, popes in order to run the church more effectively. 

Titus 1:5 ─ For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.

1Tim 3:10 ─ But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless.

u The church is not the government - it does not need a government-style hierarchy

 

 

5.  God we don’t think Christ should have all authority over the church. We need multiple heads of the church like popes, cardinals, archbishops etc.

Mat 28:18 ─  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 

u Men love and crave authority and power, and will often do whatever it takes to get more of it (ex. Vladimir Putin). They do not like being under authority or being subordinate to anyone.

 

 

6.  God, we don’t want to be called just Christians, we prefer to be called Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, Catholics etc.  

Acts 11:26 ─ So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

u If we are true followers of Christ, why would we want to adopt any name other than that of our savior, Jesus Christ?  Having a name that is fashioned after a man indicates that we are followers of men, not of Christ (e.g. Lutheran).

1Cor 3:4-6  For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Isn’t  this what denominations do in regards to doctrine? I am of Luther or I am of Calvin etc. Can Luther save us?, Can Calvin?, Can Wesley?

 

 

7.  God, we don’t think all Christians are priests, that office is reserved for a select few appointed and ordained by men

1Peter 2:9 ─ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 

u Priests (i.e. “clergy”) bestow on themselves authority to which they are not entitled according to the word of God.

Matthew 23:8-12 ─  But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.  Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.  And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.  And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

u Every time a Catholic calls a priest “Father, he is violating this command of God

 

 

{ To Be Continued ─ See Part 2 }