Line Upon Line

I recently had a very intense conversation with someone.

Intense and eye-opening.

I would like to be able to state to you today that I have legendary Bible knowledge, that I was one of those that could quote and quote and quote with perfection.

I have tried to memorize scripture. And I have succeeded in small ways. But, I just haven't ever been grand at it.

Don't get me wrong, I have studied the Word. I will never cease to strive to expand my knowledge of it. It is a live, vibrant thing that never fails to touch some part of me that I never even knew was longing to be touched.

The Word of God is my comfort, my friend.

Yet, during this intense discussion I recently unwillingly became a part of I longed more than ever before to have that infinite knowledge of every passage.

I have noticed a growing trend among the Christians of today. More and more I find that people are turning to a "Cafeteria Style" Christianity.

You go through through the Bible "picking and choosing" what you want to believe and passing by what you don't want to believe.

I have always **thought** this, but during my intense conversation, this way of thinking was confirmed as the person I was talking to said, "That's why it says in the Bible that there are good and bad things in it and you just pick what you think is good and leave the bad."

So, at this point in the conversation is where I wanted to be able to say: "I have memorized every single scripture of the Bible and can quote them each verbatim-HENCE I am able to tell you that is simply NOT located anywhere in the Word of God."

My real response was much more lame. After I managed to close my mouth that had dropped to my stomach when those words were tossed at me I ever so eloquently stated, "The Bible does not say that!"

"Yes it does!"

"It most certainly does not! Where is that at in the Bible?"

"Well, I don't know right off hand, but I could try to find it."

Good luck with that one.

I have found nothing in the Word of God that states anything remotely resembling that statement. And if you are standing in the Cafeteria Religion line thinking you are getting fed, let me give you some real food for thought:

Matthew 5:18-19 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot of one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge?and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not...

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us...

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY word of God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 John 5:7-8 for there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these tree are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit,and the water and the blood: and these three agree in one.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teacher, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Revelation 19:13-16 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almightly God. And he that on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

If His Word is true, which I am certain it is, then HE is the WORD.

That being said, if what was told to me was true then His Word was saying there was BAD in Him.

I may not have the whole thing memorized but I know there is nothing but Goodness in my God. And that would also mean that we were able to pick and choose what about Him we wanted to accept.

See, here is one way I do not agree with some. I have heard so many say that "So-In-So Accepted Christ as their personal Savior."

How arrogant is that statement?

To think that He is waiting with baited breath to see if I will ACCEPT HIM---The King of Glory?!?!

I think not!

The question is: Does He accept ME?

When I am standing before God, I will know who HE is, without a doubt, for the Word says "Every knee shall bow," and that includes mine.

But will He know me?

Have I lived up to His Word? Have I lived it Line upon Line, Precept upon Precept?

Because on that day, that line will become all too important.

So, are you living your life by the Cafeteria Plan?

Or are you living your life by His Plan?