Truth or Near Truth: Close Enough?

"Near Truth:  Departing from what God has said is serious."

Over at Defending Contending, the issue of truth and error or near truth and its consequences is considered in Scripture. This is urgently needed today because many professing Christians don't want to submit to the lordship of the Lord and instead rather do things their way, improve upon His ways, and think it doesn't matter if the outcome resembles something close to what the Bible says.

Close enough isn't good enough. Its still sin against God's clear Word.

Check it out.

For instance the Lord Jesus Christ commanded a believer's immersion into water as baptism in Matt. 28:18-20:

Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

To deviate from such an important command in any way is not obedience to Him. Partial obedience is not obedience. A heart that refuses to submit to His way, in this case His baptism, is one that rejects His lordship and rule (notice v. 18 which comes FIRST). Instead such people hold to man's traditions up and against the Master's law.

Its not a trifle thing to question God. Nor is it a trifle thing to presume God won't mind if I pick and chose what I obey and then try to justify it.

His Word stands.

Ps. 138:2… You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.

Psa 119:89  Forever, O LORD, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

James deals with our response to Scripture:



Jas 1:19  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 

Pro 13:13  Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

Pro 30:6  Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Joh 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my

disciples, 

2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, and for training in righteousness, 17  that the man of God may be competent, equipped

for every good work.