WE JUST GO BY THE BIBLE?

Really?

No, really?

It seems that from my very earliest days of conversion to the Church of Christ I heard it said, We only go by the Bible.  We only believe what the Bible says.  The Bible said it.  I believe it.  If God didn't say it, we don't believe it.

Are you familiar with any of the above?

Going by the Bible is noble and right.  Claiming we operate by it and only it is dishonest, if not dark.

From experience I submit to you that the vast majority in the church do not go by the Bible.  Rather, they go by that faith the one whom they admire and respect most possesses.  Some are of Paul and others of Apollos.  Some are of Max and others of Batsell.  Others are of Truitt while others of Terry.

No, we have long left the regions of Bible speaking to us.  The church has cast her confidence in men and women rather than knowing Scripture.

I'm not saying that we have no one studying, applying, and effectively following the Word.  We surely have many bright men and women; young and old.  I am stating it seems to be fact that the majority of our members could not conduct a healthy Bible study with a neighbor nor could they find the book of Amos.

We go by the Bible is the wish of a church on cruise control; but not responsibly accurate.

Why do I believe this?  One reason is to watch our actions.  We are anemic.  I put my name at the head of the list.  How many Christians do you know who read their Bibles simply to let God speak to them? Several, but not the majority?

How many faithful followers do you know who fast and pray once every ten years?  Maybe....one?  Two?

What's the point?

I wish to join in on the curbing of smug statements we make which are both untrue and offensive to public ears.  When we make such brash statements we are sounding big to one another while the community around us has gone completely deaf to His message.

We do not go by the Bible.  Rather we have greater tendency to go by what those whom we treasure telling us what we are to believe the Bible says.  Do we not criticize this same approach in the Mormons and the Catholics?