Put it to the Test

Dear City Calvary,

Boeing builds jets, lots of them.  Every so often, Boeing will come up with a new design.  I'm always amazed at the rigorous testing they put the new models through before deeming them airworthy, ready for passengers to climb aboard and fly away into the wild blue yonder.  Thanks to the FAA, Boeing takes the first few jets/prototypes and they bend 'em, bash 'em, beat 'em, heat 'em, screech 'em, slam 'em, cram 'em, fly 'em, & pry 'em.   They do everything short of crash 'em.  

Boeing's most recent creation, the 787 Dreamliner, has been a game-changer.  It is made of a new composite material (carbon fiber) which allows the jet to be much lighter, dramatically reducing fuel costs.  Plus, it's cool.  However, because it was new, the FAA made the 787 fly through more hoops and pass more tests than ever before.  Our government and Boeing want aviation to advance but they also want to make sure the 787 will safely deliver passengers to their desired destinations around the world.

When a pastor/author teaches us something new, we should be like Boeing and put it to the test.  This is what the Apostle John tells us to do in 1 John 4:1-6 "test the spirits (teachers) to see whether they are from God..."   How do we do that?  Compare the teaching to the Bible.  Ask what God's word says.  Does it line up with scripture?  What does it say about Jesus?  Learning is important for the growth of our relationship with God.   When we hear/read teachings that give us new understandings about Jesus, new ways we can grow in our relationship with Him, new insights into His word, ask: "Is this what the Bible teaches and what does God's word have to say about the matter?"  If it doesn't line up with scripture, toss it.  If it does, be thankful that you learned something new and live it.  After all, our theology should deliver us safely to the desired destination - a good, healthy, accurate, maturing faith.  

Have a great finish to your week.

Blessings in Jesus,

Pastor John