Monday Morning Theologian - On Not Shipwrecking My Faith

Truth is a big deal to me, but I can be such the hypocrite at times.

My career is built on truth.

• For my firm's clients, we assist in preparing financial statements that present fairly their financial position.  For some of them, we go so far as to examine (audit) their financial position and issue an opinion on them.
• Once a year, we assist clients in preparing tax returns that are true, correct, and complete.

My family life is built on truth.

• For my family, I lead them in leaning truth and then making decisions consistent with what we learn.  For example, we've been working through calculating the area of a triangle, studying history, and looking for the best deal on a laptop PC.
• On Sunday mornings, within a mile or two there are at least four churches with different understandings and teachings about God.  We choose one and pass on the other three.

On the other hand, I have been willing to let truth pass when it suits me:

• A good customer will say something like, "...it doesn't matter, we all get to God in our own way..."
• A state park naturalist will give a presentation with explicit and implicit evolution assumptions.  I don't challenge her position.
• When writing, I consider the online reputation I strive to promote.  What would a client, my boss, my mother, brother...think if I declared one world view good and another evil (see - I just did it - I used generalities instead of speaking the name of Jesus).

A main point of the sermon today was that "Wrong teaching begets wrong thinking which leads to wrong living."  In other words, a life well lived has truth as its foundation.  The sermon's argument is that one's life is headed for shipwreck without the gospel of Jesus.  I agree.

So it is Monday morning.  How do I proceed with a week's worth of choices in front of me?

Perhaps I shall embrace God's truth, proactively focus on the right thoughts, and exercise integrity in the moments of decision.  Nothing builds a reputation, either online or face to face, like right choices in action.

On Monday mornings, I consider the Sunday sermon and one take-away that I would do well to act upon.  On February 26, 2012, Pastor Mark Vroegop of College Park Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, www.yourchurch.com preached "Teaching that Departs" from 1 Timothy 4:1-5:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. (ESV)