Chaplain’s Corner
May 17, 2016
Good Morning Patriots!
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?
Those of you who are parents will recognize the sound of a small, inquisitive, and growing child as they are constantly asking, "Why?" about everything. They are forming their cognitive powers of observation, logical thought, and progression to a conclusion. They are learning not just "things" and "facts" to add to their memory, but instead, they are developing the tools necessary to think things through to a logical conclusion, so that later in life, they will be equipped to make worthwhile decisions, based not just on rhetoric, but on sound, rational thinking.
Why am I talking about this? It is because, to a great degree, this is an excellent illustration of our relationship with our heavenly Father. As we grow in the "milk" of the Word, as baby Christians, we have to pretty much take other people's word for many things. We have to trust that they are being forthright and honest, and only want to share the truth with us. However, as we grow in the Lord, and our relationship deepens, we need to grow up and away from the childish nature of a new Christian. Paul, in Hebrews 5:11 - 14, was talking about this, when he said, "11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food. 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - NIV
Paul is saying that once we mature in the solid food of the Word of God, we will be able to distinguish "good from evil." Where do we stand today? Are we infants in Christ, living on the milk of the Word, and being thrown hither and thither by the waves of social commentary? Are we undecided about where we stand on basic moral values? Do we find ourselves rationalizing about certain indisputable moral values? Do we find the "progressive" mentality of today's crowd to be appealing, and is it making more and more sense to us? Are we being unduly influenced by what well-meaning men and women around us are pushing as an agenda, versus the obvious Scriptural truths as outlined in God's Word, the Bible?
For example, how many different paths do you think there are to God and salvation? Many? Or just one? "6 Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " - John 14: 6 - NIV
How do you feel about the sanctity of life? How do you feel about abortion? How do you feel about the death penalty? How do you feel about sex outside of marriage? How do you define marriage? How do you feel about lying, cheating, stealing, etc.? All of these things and many, many more are talked about in one way or another in Scripture if you will take the time to search out God's view in His written Word. What about things that are not specifically spelled out in the Bible? Is it okay to smoke? What about carrying a concealed weapon? There are many things that may not be written about specifically, but the fact remains that when we come to really KNOW our Father in heaven, we begin to get a real feel for His feelings and thoughts on any given subject. Ultimately, many things will end up being a conscience matter, something specifically between you and God. But don't be surprised if the things you do affect others in a negative way, especially if they are babes in Christ. Sometimes we simply decide to forego our "rights" in our freedom of our worship to protect the sensitive hearts of those who are newer and more easily stumbled. Just because you "can" do something doesn't necessarily mean you "should" do it.
I am encouraging each and every one of you to examine your hearts. Examine yourselves and ask the hard questions. Why do you believe what you do? Because your Dad and Mom did? Or, because you have thought it through, examined all sides of an issue, and decided that your view is the best one based on your relationship with our Father in the heavens? Your litmus test for anything you do or say or believe should be the popular expression from a few years ago, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Though we are imperfect in this flesh, we can strive for perfection daily as we pursue our relationship with our Father, and build ourselves up in His Word. We should become full-grown Christians, able to give an accounting of what we believe and why. It is a work in progress, and we never finish in this life. We just keep striving for the goal, and our Father keeps blessing our efforts.
God Bless you, every one, and:
God Bless America!
Stephen King
Chaplain@3upi.com
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