CRISIS OF CONVICTION

The title of this post is drawn from a phrase Al Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, used in a podcast this morning. He was referencing a doctrinal and moral erosion eating away at the foundation of truth that American evangelicalism has rested upon. To continue on this course is to suffer the shipwreck of mainline Protestantism. Here is the link to the podcast if you wish to hear it: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-briefing-albertmohler-com/id390278738?i=1000623152220 (the portion I am referencing begins at the 15:43 mark).

My morning devotions in John 8 featured several statements from our Lord underscoring the non-negotiable nature of truth is there is to be genuine faith.

"I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.” (v.26). "but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things." (v.28b). As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (v.30-32). "Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” (v.43-47). "Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (v.51).

To depart from the Word of God is to deny the God of the Word. Holding on to truth is an indicator that God has hold of you! You can be a religious leader like these Pharisees, and like them have the devil as your daddy, though you profess piety. Do not think that Haywood Baptist church life is immune from a crisis of conviction!

Standing Firm,

Dennis Thurman, AMS