Acts 17:11  These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 

 

The people referred to in this Passage are the Bereans. These Jews there were more open to Paul and Silas’ Message of the Cross of Christ. They did not immediately reject it as many Jews did, but searched the Scriptures and put this new Message to the test of the Word of God. 

 

Finding it to be in compliance with the Scriptures, they believed Jesus to be the Messiah and placed their faith in the Ultimate Sacrifice He had made on the Cross of Calvary for them. At that moment, they were saved, converted and set Free from the old ways and Law. What a great day that must have been for those people!

 

They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.  We should be doing the same thing, but many people simply take the word of a preacher and do not test the message for its compliance with the Word of God.  

 

This is why we see thousands of people following false teachings and a false gospel. Every person is responsible for their own faith. At the age of accountability, we each become accountable to God for what we believe. 

 

Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the Kingdom of Haven, but he who does the Will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’  And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

 

It is each of our responsibility to test the message we receive. The Test is the Word of God. When you go to church, listen to the message preached and go home and put it to the test. Pray for Wisdom which is Discernment of the Spirits; good and evil. 

 

The Holy Spirit is your Teacher. He will direct you into all Righteousness and Truth.  Seek Him and He will guide your path and make it straight. He will NEVER lead you anywhere except into total compliance with the Word of God. 

 

In the end we will each answer for ourselves. Our eternal destiny is between us and God. No one else will stand with us. We will not be able to blame anything on anyone else. Every person will stand before God and have to answer for themselves. If you have a Bible, it’s your responsibility to read it, study it, and live your life according to its statutes. 

 

Don’t take my word or the word of anyone else. Read it for yourself. Put my words to the test. Put the words of your preacher to the test just as the Bereans did. They searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. We must do the same. When we do, we will come to the Truth!

 

The Truth of the Word of God will……..turn the tide

 

Searching the Scriptures daily,      Doreen

 

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