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Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
The last few verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 contain some pithy yet wise counsel. Among the sage advice offered is this: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5.21). While the statement is easily understood, Albert Barnes’ comments on the verse are well worth repeating; the following paragraph is from his commentary on the book of First Thessalonians.
“Subject everything submitted to you to be believed to the proper test. The word here used [for test] is one that is properly applicable to metals, referring to the art of the assayer by which the true nature and value of the metal is tested. This trial was usually made by fire. The meaning here is, that they were carefully to examine everything proposed for their belief. They were not to receive it on trust; to take it on assertion; to believe it because it was urged with vehemence, zeal, or plausibility. In the various opinions and doctrines which were submitted to them for adoption, they were to apply the appropriate tests from reason and the word of God; and what they found to be true they were to embrace; what was false they were to reject. Christianity does not require men to disregard their reason, or to be credulous. It does not expect them to believe anything because others say it is so. It does not make it a duty to receive as undoubted truth all that synods and councils have decreed; or all that is advanced by the ministers of religion. It is, more than any other form of religion, the friend of free inquiry, and would lead men everywhere to understand the reason of the opinions which they entertain.”
Even as Barnes observed, the apostle Paul’s counsel is totally contrary to much of the clamor today for inclusiveness and tolerance. While I do not think we need be rude to anyone or disrespectful, neither should we accept the beliefs of others without good cause. Good cause, by the way, is not because someone else thinks a certain way! When God expects us to believe a certain way, He presents evidence that supports the belief. Faith is not a leap in the dark; it is a reasoned set of beliefs based solidly on God-given evidence. While this concept may “fly in the face” of our current culture, it is totally biblical. I do not need to be arrogant, spiteful, or condescending, but I must be rooted and grounded in truth. Every wind of doctrine that blows must no move me away from those truths which God has proclaimed and validated through His inspired apostles and prophets.
Paul’s admonition to test all things is parallel in purpose to John’s charge when he wrote, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4.1). Jesus also taught that there would be wolves in sheep’s clothing whose purpose it would be to destroy members of the flock (see Matthew 7.15). Peter warned of false teachers who would come in similar fashion to the false prophets of the Old Testament (see 2 Peter 2.1-6) and that they would exploit many through their “deceptive words.”
If Jesus is our model (and certainly He ought to be), we would do well to critically examine the teachings of others around us. He was not the least bit above calling someone’s hand when their teachings were contrary to truth. While He may have been a lamb, He was also a lion in many ways. Jesus tested all things and many of them He found to be lacking on one way or another. He did not spare the scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees, Doctors, and/or lawyers when their doctrines conflicted with what He taught or what the Old Testament scriptures taught. Jesus did not come to make friends (though He made many); He came to do the will of the Father and this necessitated offending those who failed the purity of doctrine test! Test all things!
Questions:
1. What is the significance of the word test in 1 Thessalonians 5.21.
2. Does this verse tell us to judge or not to judge?
3. What was Jesus’ attitude toward error?
4. Does His attitude toward error have anything to do with what our attitudes ought to be today?
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