Living by the code of scripture

One of the more disturbing aspects of American Christianity today is the way the opponents of Christianity, and not all of those who are opponents consider themselves opponents, feel free to reinterpret incorrectly scriptural truths that have stood for hundreds upon hundreds of years as accepted teaching in the church because quite simply they don't like them.

Certainly there is room for debate in Christianity regarding some topics. However, on some issues one cannot be at odds with what scripture teaches and still call oneself a Christian. Some (not all) examples: The deity of Christ, Salvation by faith alone, there is only one God, and the infallibility of Scripture. What about sin? Christians still sin so can someone be a Christian still sin? Of course, but when someone habitually abides in something the Bible clearly defines as sin as if there is nothing wrong with it then the salvation of that person must be called into question. Some (not all) examples: sexual impurity, which includes sex outside of marriage, homosexuality, and adultery, and breaking any of the ten commandments in the aforementioned manner.

When one rejects one of the above doctrines or engages habitually without remorse in any of the above behaviours (neither list was exhaustive) and at the same time claims to be a Christian there are only two possibilities. Either the person is a Christian and is in serious need of repentance, or they never were a Christian to begin with.

I understand this sounds harsh in a culture that urges tolerance, diversity and acceptance. Although I would contend that many in society do not interpret these words correctly, but that is a topic for another post. But the only correct way to interpret the Bible is in context, and when it is interpreted out of context that incorrect interpretation leads to error. How to interpret the Bible in context? See this link:  http://www.gotquestions.org/context-Bible.html

My point is that many in today's America call themselves Christians and yet believe things and behave in ways that are not consistent with a correct interpretation of scripture. Some do this because they have been led astray in ignorance while others do it purposely because they like certain things about Christianity while disliking others so they believe what they like and ignore what they don't like. Thomas Jefferson did this: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-thomas-jefferson-created-his-own-bible

The problem is that when one believes and lives in a manner which is based on an incorrect interpretation of the Bible that belief system is not Christianity. It is something else. Perhaps that is partially why Jesus said this,"Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:22-23).

Wayne Heckman