LISTEN, LEARN, AND LIVE

“The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: ‘To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion – – A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel…’” (Proverbs 1:1-5)

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

That time has come, and it is here! Just in my experience alone, I cannot count how often people have given me all kinds of indications that they “don’t want to hear it!” Much of the time they didn’t want to hear what the Bible systematically teaches. I only have enough space for a few examples:

1. Many today don’t want to believe the truth that Jesus is God incarnate This teaching is found in both the Old and New Testaments. The Gospel of John, for example, has this as its main theme! (Look at chapter 5:19ff)!
2. Another teaching throughout the Bible is that Jesus so loved sinners that He shed His blood on the cross for them. He died in their place! Theologians call this His “substitutionary atonement.” Rejecting this truth excludes one’s entrance into Heaven (Romans 5:6, 8; John 3:18, 36; 12:48)!
3. Another pervading truth in Scripture pertains to one’s mistreatment of Jews. Those who curse (or hate) Jews are inviting God’s curse upon themselves (Genesis 12:3)! Have you forgotten that Jesus is a Jew?!  [All Jews who believe in Jesus as their only true Messiah and God have everlasting life! Believing Jews are a forever people] (Romans 11)!
4. My final example of doctrinal truth states that there is only one true God, that He has no equal or superior, that He created this universe, and that He authored His Word, the Bible and that He alone can save sinners!

Ah yes, one of these days God will say “time’s up!” HEAR and HEED God’s Word while you still can. “Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 4:7)!