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Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15
NKJV)
I recently received an e-mail from a young couple who were curious to
know whether or not it was okay for them to live together without being
married. As I read their question, I was filled with a sense of surprise
and then embarrassment. I was surprised because I frequently teach from
the pulpit that according to God's Word, living together out of wedlock
always has and always will be sin. The writer of the book of Hebrews leaves
no doubt about it:
Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage.
God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
(Hebrews 13:4 NLT)
My surprise soon gave way to embarrassment because I realized that these
were people who were part of a church environment, but they hadn't allowed
their hearts to be taught God's truths. As a result, they were confused
about the basics of being a believer. This should not have happened, and
it wouldn't have happened if they had seen their time in church for what
it ought to have been.
Church is supposed to be a teachable environment. It ought to be a place
where God's people gather with a sense of anticipation and adventure as
they are educated in His will and ways. But what happens when people don't
have a teachable heart? They can sit under the most gifted teacher, but
it won't make the slightest dent of difference in their lives because
they aren't wiling to submit to the Scripture's authority. As I've shared
before, they can be so close to God's house but so far from His heart.
To avoid this happening in our own lives, we need to ask God to fill our
hearts with a spirit of study that is not only willing to learn, but also
eager to apply His Word.
DIG - How should people's church experience change them?
DISCOVER - What are some spiritual truths that you've recently learned
in church?
DISPLAY - Will you make it a priority to pray for a more teachable heart?
When and how often?
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