The Pick And Choose Bible

copyright Millie Plastaras 10/31/04

The Pick and Choose Bible

ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16

As I visit chat rooms on the internet or converse with people
that write in, I see a growing tendency and mindset to
change God's word to suit people's sensibilities or lifestyle.
People want to make God into who they feel comfortable with,
rather than accepting Him for who He is and thereby
striving to please Him by being in line with His word.

Let us look at some examples.

I meet people who say that there is no virgin birth.
They say this, so they can deny the sonship of Jesus Christ.
If they deny that Jesus is the son of God, and holy in
everyway.. they do not see the need for personal salvation.
Yet the word tells us: In Isaiah it was prophesied

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and the government will be upon his shoulder, and His
name will be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God,
everlasting Father, the prince of peace. Isaiah 9:6
This verse was predicting the child (messiah) that would
be born to reign forever.
Jesus had the power to forgive sins. In each of the gospels
he, when He lays hands upon people says thy sins are forgiven thee. Only God can forgive sins.
Jesus was one with his Father.

Jesus said in John 8:58: Jesus said unto them,
"Most assuredly, I say unto you, before Abraham was, I AM.

In other words, He was without beginning the ever present one. God in the flesh.

So for those who want to deny the virgin birth.. they deny
the sonship of God, who came to take away the sins of the
world. Until people accept the virgin birth, the sonship of
God, and his gift of salvation, they cannot enter the kingdom
of God.

In 1 John 1:7-9 it says: But if we walk in the light as He is in
the light, we have fellowship with one another and the BLOOD
of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of all
sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Truth is, once we become Christians we are to be separate
from this world. We are called by God to live a life of
righteousness and holiness. This is something that takes
surrender of our will, and seeking His will. It is reading His
word and learning how to live as Christ calls. We must
leave the love of the world behind, we have a new
mindset, new habits, that are pleasing to God.

How long since you heard the word holy?
Or Sin?
Or Hell?

Why not?
Because people are changing the Bible to what
fits them, not what God says.

Do not love the world or the things in this world. If anyone
loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15

A lot of people don't want to hear that. Because they
want to do this sin, or that sin, so they find reasons
to justify it, and deny God entry into that part of their lives.
But the word tells us if we are guilty of one sin, we are guilty of
all. For whoever shall keep the whole law yet stumble in
one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

Some people get the mistaken idea that once we become
a Christian, we don't need to do anything else. Yes, we do,
we learn little by little to surrender parts of our thinking, our
lives, our habits, and grow in Christ daily. We do sin after
we become Christians, we are all flawed, that is why Jesus
came. But he said if we confess our sins he is faithful and
just to forgive sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Let me tell you the most important thing of all.
If you change the gospel to suit your thinking or your
lifestyle.. it is a curse unto you. But even if we or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what
we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:8

God left His Holy Book as a guidebook to us. It will outlive
us all. It is never changing. We are accountable unto the
Lord for the words spoken in His word.
John 1:1. In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word, our guidebook from God,
then teaches us how to live and
find salvation in Christ. It is alive and powerful because the word is God. The neglect of it is spiritual death.

There is no feel good religion that will save. Only by
the blood of the lamb, the confession and repentance
of our sins, and by following Jesus Christ, can we be redeemed.

Once we receive that salvation, we must leave the world
behind, and live by God's standards ... no longer the
standards of a lost and dying world.

Remember it is God that is the Author and Finisher
of Our Faith,
It is He who makes the rules.
We are the child, the servant, the sheep of His pasture.

We are to pick up the cross daily and follow Him,
not tell Him what to do!


Remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last