They Don't Believe It   

Mike Pittman, March 21, 2010

My observation has been that people, sometimes unknowingly, say things that they don't really believe. When we hear a popular cliche repeated we may find ourselves repeating it. The problem is that we might repeat the saying without really questioning the truthfulness of it. Consider with me some things people say that they don't believe.

"One church is just as good as another." If I've heard it once I've heard it a hundred times, but who really believes it? Catholics do not believe that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is just as good as the Catholic Church. The Seventh Day Adventist's do not believe that the Catholic Church is just as good as the Seventh Day Adventist Church. What about a homosexual church? (Yes, there are a number of "gay" churches in the world). Is it good? What about the Church of Satan? People are all of the time saying that one church is as good as another, but they just don't believe it!

"It doesn't make any difference what one believes, just as long as he is honest and sincere."   The apostle Paul wrote of those who were condemned because they did not "believe the truth" but "believed the lie" (2 Thess. 2:11-12). Jesus taught, "And you shall know the truth, and truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Is there anybody who really believes that one can substitute error for truth and that everything will turn out ok?

"It is unchristian to judge." If I were to say that people who believe in the "once saved always saved" doctrine are correct in their belief, I would no doubt be applauded by many for making what they perceive to be a proper judgment. On the other hand, if I were to quote 1 Corinthians 10:12 and teach that people who believe in that doctrine are in error, I would no doubt be criticized by the same people for judging. The truth of the matter is that people are not really critical of judging per se. They are critical of being critical! People say that it is unchristian to judge, but they just don't believe it!

"It is wrong to mention denominational names from the pulpit." When it comes right down to it, nobody believes that it is wrong for a preacher to call denominations by name. Suppose I paused in the middle of my sermon and said, The Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches are good churches." Though I mentioned denominational names from the pulpit, no one in the audience from the aforementioned denominations would think anything negative about it. Pointing out error is what denominational friends are objecting to, not name calling. People do not REALLY believe that it is wrong to mention denominational names from the pulpit.

Subscribe [ undergoing redesign ]