CHRISTIAN EVIDENCES

Know “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

The“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

Truth “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

This Month's Theme: 

“Jumping To Conclusions”

A conclusion is the last part of a chain of reasoning, based on the sum of the whole of information gathered. Based on this description the best conclusions are those based on all the facts. However, not one of us has ever gone without jumping to conclusions. That is deciding something before we have all the information. Never has this concept of jumping to conclusions been more apparent than in religious world today!

The Apostle Peter, writing to Christians scattered to northern Asia Minor , prior to the destruction of Jerusalem ; gives these brethren a warning concerning the coming calamity. In this warning we have a pattern that must be considered by you and me today, note:

1 Peter 4:16-18 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now

"If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

Here based on the time of Peter's writing, we learn that Peter is not referring to the judgment at the end of the Christian dispensation. Therefore he is referring to the persecution that God will let come in His people during the lives of these whom Peter is writing. These persecutions were designed to test their faith as to whether they are true children of God.

This helps us understand that the salvation of the righteous is no uncertain matter, and the scriptures in no place indicate any doubt about it. As to whether a man becomes and remains righteous is another subject! The trials these Christians were to be submitted to, would test their faith in God, especially if they had only received a limited amount of information to help them in their time of need (faith comes from the word of God – Romans 10:17 ). Yet, Peter would write to them again and comfort them in their hope, note:

2 Peter 1:16-21 “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

Peter informs these brethren that they have the sum of the whole of the information and that they can rest assured that their hope is sound. Additionally, we also have the ability to have the same assurance in out lives, but only if we base our faith and trust on the sum of the whole of that which the word reveals ! In the remainder of this lesson, we want to look at some misconceptions that existed during the life and teaching of Jesus and the danger of jumping to conclusions.

Matthew 5:17-18 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

Jesus lived and completed His work on earth, while under the Law of Moses. He taught that men should respect and obey that Law. All of His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount were designed to set strait what had been the sum of the traditions and doctrines of men, which apposed the Laws true intent. We know that after His death, burial, and resurrection He would establish a new Law; however, while here on earth, He taught that unless the Jews could achieve righteousness under the Law of Moses, they would in no way be successful when the kingdom of heaven came!

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."

Many of the Lord's countrymen , having been instructed by the prophets of the Old Law, incorrectly concluded that His kingdom would be physical. They wanted desperately for the kingdom to bring them glory on earth. This same physical desire to find glory over the other nations of the earth and the desire to cement for themselves a greater place here on earth, also caused them to never comprehend the teachings of Jesus (see: Matthew 13:10-17 ).

John 2:19 “Jesus answered and said to them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."

After the Lord cleansed the temple, He took this occasion to teach a spiritual message. As was the situation in virtually every case, the Jews jumped to a conclusion before gathering all the facts. In this case the Lord was speaking of Himself and the spiritual changes He would bring about on behalf of all men.

In just these three cases, we can see a pattern of people who were jumping to improper conclusions. Many of these ill fated conclusions are still a problem to this day and can be added to the hundreds of others that men have created, because they failed to take in all the information!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Apostle Paul would instruct young Timothy in the sum of all the facts he was to draw his conclusions from (especially as minister of the word). He was to take heart in having been assured of the origin of the righteousness he was instructed in. Why do you suppose it was necessary for Paul to give Timothy such obvious instruction?

2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Dear friends; Isn't it time to stop and assess your faith and the foundations it is built on? Have you taken the time to truly gather the sum of all the information within the word of God (since true faith is predicated on the Word)? Have you explored salvation in Christ Jesus at all? Is it possible to know what God wants of you and understand the sum of His word?

The simple answer to this last question is, YES !!!

The Apostle Paul wrote to Christians in Rome concerning this very question, note his teaching concerning their ability to discern the word of God:

Romans 10:8 “But what does it say?”The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach):”

He would go on to say that this word produces faith (only one!!!), note:

Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

We the servants of the King of Kings have put our trust in the sum of the whole of God's word. We invite you to do the same. We invite you to study and learn God's word with those who have put their trust in His word!

DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS!