John 18:34 “Jesus answered him, Sayest this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?” A good question, isn’t it? Especially for this parrot age in which we live in.
People who do not think for themselves, do not speak for themselves.
I remember filling in at another Church and teaching a Sunday School class years ago and asking members of the class what they believed about a certain text, and the repeated reply was, “I just believe whatever the pastor believes.” This is what I call “secondhand religion.” To hear, “Polly wants a cracker,” sounds cute, but you can be sure it’s not an original thought with that bird!
Handed down tradition doesn’t mean its true, only that each generation has accepted it as such. Eternal truths never change, but these are few in comparison to man-made rules handed down to us, like the Jews of old, by well meaning but ill informed folk. Believe what you will about secondary issues, but Paul tells us to make sure we are “…fully persuaded in our own mind.” You’re not to adhere to what your guru tells you, but what God has shown you personally. It’s called the priesthood of all Believers.
It’s a good thing Apollos didn’t have this puppet philosophy (Acts 18:24-28). It is only those uncertain of themselves who want those around them to adopt their pattern of life so as to make them feel more secure in their set of beliefs and convictions.
A puppet cannot speak for itself but only says what another makes it appear to say for itself. Sadly many in our society are the same. They repeat what they hear or are told to tell without ever thinking for themselves. As the Bible says,“these things ought not so to be.”
So how about it? What do YOU say? Do you know WHY you believe WHAT you believe?
Think on these thinks and keep the SON in your eyes!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Old Dogs
Old Dogs and New Tricks
The old adage, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” is just not true. It may seem improbable, but it’s not impossible. This applies to puppies and people. The difficulty lies not so much in learning the new, but unlearning the old. Provided, that is, that the old even needs to be forgotten to begin with.
As arduous as it is to train old “Rover” fresh techniques, it is even more difficult to teach NEW dogs OLD tricks.! Young “Spot” may have some cute little tricks up his paw; but the question is, will such actions and antics bring benefit to others, or are they potentially dangerous in the long run? This is especially true as it relates to the next generation.
More and more I am seeing in my own generation a total disregard for what gave them the freedoms they enjoy and often abuse. This is almost always done with a complaint that the older dogs are “out of date” and out of touch with reality. Really? Have we looked in our own kennel lately?
Pride can keep “Old Dogs” from learning the new; but stubbornness can keep “Pups” from learning the old.
It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and it gets pretty “ruff” at times…we need to stay in the “old paths” if we are going to make it.
(Jeremiah 6:16) “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
As the “dog days of summer” approach, may we reflect on these things and remember to keep the SON in our eyes!
Pastor John M. Keeter 2 Cor 5:17
Fellowship Baptist Church
Williamston , NC
www.fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com
The old adage, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” is just not true. It may seem improbable, but it’s not impossible. This applies to puppies and people. The difficulty lies not so much in learning the new, but unlearning the old. Provided, that is, that the old even needs to be forgotten to begin with.
As arduous as it is to train old “Rover” fresh techniques, it is even more difficult to teach NEW dogs OLD tricks.! Young “Spot” may have some cute little tricks up his paw; but the question is, will such actions and antics bring benefit to others, or are they potentially dangerous in the long run? This is especially true as it relates to the next generation.
More and more I am seeing in my own generation a total disregard for what gave them the freedoms they enjoy and often abuse. This is almost always done with a complaint that the older dogs are “out of date” and out of touch with reality. Really? Have we looked in our own kennel lately?
Pride can keep “Old Dogs” from learning the new; but stubbornness can keep “Pups” from learning the old.
It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and it gets pretty “ruff” at times…we need to stay in the “old paths” if we are going to make it.
(Jeremiah 6:16) “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”
As the “dog days of summer” approach, may we reflect on these things and remember to keep the SON in our eyes!
Pastor John M. Keeter 2 Cor 5:17
Fellowship Baptist Church
Williamston , NC
www.fellowshipbaptistwilliamston.com
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