It is fairly evident for any that have eyes to see that Christianity has undergone a paradigm shift in the last several decades.  That which was once rejected by the Church as sin and compromise is in this hour embraced in the name of unity and love.

But just like other biblical terms such as repentance, grace, and faith, these have been subtly redefined.

The world and the so-called church have so merged together that it is often difficult to discern where one begins and the other ends. Leonard Ravenhill wrote “We may have an all-time high in church attendance with a corresponding all-time low in spirituality.” 

How true this is, even more so now than when he wrote those words a few decades ago.  Why is that?  We must inevitably concluded; because Christianity has been redefined in this our day.

There is only one conclusion that can be drawn from these observations.  I believe it was Shakespeare that said, “A rose by any other name is still a rose.”  They can call this apostate Church, Christianity all they want, but it is nothing more than the licentious harlot of the world, with her face painted up in religion, a wolf in sheep’s clothing, or the strange woman beckoning to all that will partake in her regurgitated dainties. 

True Christianity is a narrow way as Jesus described it, and there is absolutely nothing that the false teachers of today can do to broaden it in the slightest.

John Wesley said, “I must declare just what I find in the Book.”

The Bible must define our reality.  It is the Bible, God’s Word, that defines Christianity, not our culture, not self proclaimed prophets of profit, nor the unlearned and unstable who wrest the scriptures to their own destruction.

We must believe the Bible.

We must Apprehend Truth.

Yes, okay, there are promises in the Bible.  This is a foregone conclusion.  Promises from God to ……….

Ah, herein is the problem. 

Exactly who are God’s promises promised to?  In this age of licentiousness and compromise, it is customarily assumed that the promises of God are to be whored out to whoever will claim them for the night. 

And it seems most everyone claims them.  Even when unfamiliar with Scripture most people will invariably take for granted that God’s promises are for them.  A long and happy life is expected by all and taken for granted.  Whether their conception of God is at all biblical, still His promises are presupposed upon all of mankind. 

Then there are those, who professing godliness, do go to Scripture and pluck promises from the pages of their Bibles, and yet by denying the power of that godliness, i.e. obedience to that very Word, are acting in presumption because of their rejection of the conditions to those promises.

Hence has come the proliferation of the “lil” promise books that permeate the market.  Promising all the promises of God while conveniently avoiding the conditions and requirement for those promises.

Conditions?!?!?

Yes, most excellent Theophilus, there are conditions.  Although I acknowledge that the overwhelming majority of the so-called Church world would brand me a heretic for such a statement, the Bible is clear and only a rank antinomian would even argue the point.

Be that as it may, these little books continue to propagate a false impetus upon the nature of God by granting His promises to those who reject His requirements.  As one of these books advertises of itself, “Whatever life brings your way, you’ll find trustworthy and faith-fortifying nuggets in this pocket sized treasure.”  Who needs the full council of God anymore?  We can give it to you in 96 pages.

A half truth is a lie!  And these types of books attempt to offer God’s blessing by avoiding the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. 

Why not print the conditions with the promises?  Because that just wouldn’t do for itching ears in this self-serving generation.

The only faith that these books fortify is devils faith.  (See James 2:14-20)

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  James 2:20

When vying for the promises of God, don’t forget the conditions!

APPREHEND TRUTH!!

BELIEVE THE BIBLE!!