If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. – 1 Timothy 6:3-4a
What we believe – negatively or positively, rightly or wrongly, godly or worldly – will always shape what we value and how we live. When we believe the message of the gospel more fully in more areas of our lives, we are transformed into people who: Embrace God’s plans because they are superior to anything else. Slow down to enjoy Jesus because He is our joy-producing treasure. Rely on the Holy Spirit because in our weakness He makes us strong. Join God in His redemption mission because it is the most important work in the universe. Love and serve the people of God because we are all one body in Christ. Fight against our sinfulness because we want to be holy like our Savior. Long for heaven because it, not this world, is our home. Above all else, we will rest in God’s grace to help us do all of these things, and forgive us when we don’t. Listen: Embracing the truths of Scripture, God’s promises to us, and the good news of Who Jesus is and what He has accomplished for sinners like you and me, is what counteracts the message of the world. Its message is full of empty promises, half-truths and lies. Its message is all about convincing us to prioritize, pursue and prize things ahead of, and instead of, God and life with Him. Its message is all about robbing us of our happiness and destroying us in the end. Its message is all about glorifying sin and self and stuff. God is all about removing those things that rob us of our happiness! God is all about destroying that which will destroy us! God is all about glorifying Himself and His Name and His Son! Therefore, we should believe and build our lives upon the truth of Scripture. It is the way to life for sinners. It is the way of life for sinners who have been saved by grace.
