September 27: NEVER STOP LEARNING

And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time. Daniel 11:35

The Protestant Reformers were privileged to have access to God’s Word. Most started out as priests-in-training for their church, known throughout the world as the “Holy Roman Catholic Church”. This access is the very thing that led them to “protest” false doctrines in their beloved church. Their intention was to reform the church from within, but history shows that pointing out needed corrections not only wasn’t well-received, but totally rejected. They were instead singled out for excommunication and persecution. As they made their painful exits (or were forced out with edicts and papal bulls) the truths that they brought with them were actively shared with anyone who would listen. None of them had discovered all of the errors. Nevertheless, God knew their hearts and continued to bring them into brighter light as they lived in obedience to the truths that were clear to them.

The early battle cry of the Protestant Reformation, “Sola Scriptura!”, encouraged individuals to discover and hold in highest regard the wonderful truths of God’s Word for themselves. But Satan sought to fracture the movement and paralyze further discoveries. The letter of Jesus to the church at Sardis addresses this very problem. While the Reformers themselves encouraged continued learning and study, there were followers who latched on to the idea that their particular favorite leader had found all there is to know. The driving in of stakes and the naming of denominations was not God’s plan. In the days of the secular Enlightenment movement, denominations were springing up and excoriating each other over doctrinal issues. For example, the Methodists, known for their love and admiration of the Wesley brothers who preached “Let your light shine! Be a witness to the world!” criticized the Baptists who emphasized baptism by immersion, citing Christ’s example as a powerful symbol of death to sin and resurrection to new life in Him. Most Protestant churches today barely resemble the character and faith of their original founders.

Could this be why God allows His professed followers to undergo persecution? to refine them, purify them, and make them white? Paul taught that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12; see also Psalm 34:19). Many Christians boast of their blessings, naming the absence of persecution among them. Actually, the very opposite is true. The greatest blessings are those things which challenge our beliefs and spur us to grow in faith. But an unwillingness to learn, as well as trust and obey that which is made clear—accompanies the spiritually life-threatening danger of incompleteness before God.

“These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” Revelation 3:1-3  

Dig deeper: Matthew 13:12; Colossians 4:12 and James 1:4