A loosening of our grip on truth is taking place within the Church. Believers are letting go of historic, foundational truths of Scripture that have been orthodox throughout the history of the Church.
The release of God’s truth is letting go of what defines how we are to live our lives and govern the nations. That release will leave us wandering and vulnerable to greater depths of perversion and expressions of evil. The truth of God we are told to hold onto will reveal His goodness. Knowing what is good is critical to move forward. Once we know what is good according to God that knowledge will tighten our grip on the truth and not allow any influence, no matter how appealing, to convince us to let go.
Paul spoke of the goal of God’s goodness when he penned Romans 12:2. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
The word “good” used in Romans 12:2 is very specific in its interpretation. “Good” is not some bland over-arching definition. It is very specific. It means what is upright, honorable, and most importantly, acceptable to God.
Paul wrote later in the same chapter and continuing with the same line of thinking, “Cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). Our ability to cling to truth and experience true goodness is only possible when we let God transform the way we think about all things, especially the difference between what is acceptable to the world and what is acceptable to God. If something is not acceptable to the Lord, it can never be good and have good outcomes no matter how we dress it up, redefine it, or accept its presence as a misguided representation of love. If we place the template of what God considers acceptable over issues like abortion, human sexuality, the use of money, or the exercise of authority, it will reveal the compromise we have allowed to loosen our grip on truth.
Again, using the same definition of what is good, Paul references both our goal for living and the consequence of not doing so, “So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body” (II Corinthians 5:9 -10). When we do not allow the spirit of the world or faulty theology to loosen our grip on truth, we will live to please God and avoid the judgment to come. That’s a heavy statement, but one we must come to grips with.
Toward the end of his thoughts in chapter 12, Paul wrote “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good” (Romans 12:21). To conquer the evil influences in our mind and in the world around us requires that we never loosen our grip on truth. “Conquer” is a military term that infers combat with the forces of deception – a battle that takes place in our minds, in the heavens but also the spiritual battles that spill out into every sphere of authority in this world.
If we are clinging to what is good and acceptable to God, our tethering to His truth will lead us and position us where a compromised faith will refuse to stand. Those uncompromised positions will keep our faith safe and secure living a good life that is acceptable to God.
Cling to Jesus and His ways! Endeavor to absorb His teachings. Seek understanding and forgiveness in your hearts. With confidence, wear the Breastplate of Righteousness and the Belt of Truth. In your walk through life, be at peace with your Creator and spread that peace to others. Use The Sword of His Word to vanquish evil and the Shield of Faith in Jesus and The Father to block the assaults of evil. The Helmet of Salvation will be your guaranteed entry into His glorious, peaceful and loving Kingdom for eternity.
Amen