Do I know His word?

About a year or two ago, I was playing sports at the field where we always held our Saturday Sports Event in UQ and I was approached by two American guys just a few years younger than me. I thought they were students in UQ, but apparently, they were one of a kind.

They were Missionaries from America trying to plant a church here in Brisbane. I shall decline to reveal what church they were from for the sake of not inciting any bad impression upon them. In fact, these two young lads were very nice and friendly. Much taller than me for sure, but they were mild, gentle and very polite.

When I heard that they were here to plant church and preach the Gospel in UQ, I was delighted. They then stayed on to play with us throughout the day. I could tell they really enjoyed it.

A few days later, they wanted to catch up with me. I said ok.

when we met, they brought a friend along. It was their pastor in charge of the Missions work here. After beating a round the bush for an hour playing cards, I got them to come straight to the point. He did.

He began by a straight accusation about my salvation - saying that I was not a saved because I did not go through the right procedures for salvation - especially the way I was baptised. I told him straight with my basic doctrinal knowledge that Salvation is by Faith and not works - no form of rules and regulations or ceremonials can get you saved. It is purely by believing in God and Honouring Him as Lord alone .

He began quoting me scriptures that seemingly contradicted my doctrine. I was kinda defeated in that pit-fight of scriptures. We debated a little while more and we ended the night. He closed it off by inviting me to his fellowship group, implying me to commit to his team because he could see that sense of commitment in me with my current church.

Though that did not shake my belief that Salvation is by Faith, that incident shook me badly. Overnight, I was brought into the reality of my Christian walk. Having being a Christian for 2 or more years, I should have had this basic knowledge about what I believe in at my finger tips. I should have been able to answer and convince these people with God's truth and authority. I've had all the time, what was I doing with it?

I realised a few things that God was trying to teach me during that session:

1. How am I going to right the Spiritual fight if I do not know God's truth?
1. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
   
2. My doctrinal knowledge and skill in usage of the word was really weak. Though I knew God and could move in the Holy Spirit, I did not know His word deeply enough.
   
2. How am I going to convince and warn others about what I believe in, if I can't preach it?
1. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15
3. Have I been too passive in seeking the Lord in Spirit and in Truth?
   
1. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24
   

I thought I knew a lot, but when I met these guys I was deeply humbled. I'm just another poor man in God's house.

And so I've learnt my lesson from God. We have to be Practical in our lives. Not just Christians who stand in awe of God and worship him on the mountain top all day long, but one that is willing to come down to the mountain and fulfill his purposes effectively. Matthew 17:1-18

The way to be effective for God is not just faith alone. Faith helps us take the step, but without the word of God, we have no authority and strength in the things that we do. We have no understanding. Also, our faith would be shaky because we have completely no understanding of God's word.

Another thing I've learnt is that we've got to overcome the fear of debate because the Truth must be proclaimed. We cannot simply shun away from debating of the word. These things will surely come, but we must address them tactfully and lovingly. We must learn to make a stand for God's house like Stephen in Acts 6:8-10.

We cannot be naive Christians. Yes, we must reflect that Child-like Faith and Obedience towards God, but we must not be Child-like in our knowledge and understanding of the word. For all Circumstances and situations in life, we must learn to discern truths and apply the word of God into them so that we may be able to convince and teach others to follow.

Let us not just pass down knowledge that we have gathered from other leaders, but let us learn to discern truth directly from the word of God ourselves. This way, we will not be swayed by any kinds of teachings and doctrines, but that we may learn to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and test the different spirits of teachings that may come by.

Till this day, I am still friends with those few missionaries and their pastor. They have recently started their church service and even invited me. I couldn't go because it conflicted with our church service.

I did however sent him an email attaching the article I put up about Salvation in the Article Section of this blog. Hope you guys read it.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32