The Whole Counsel Of God

 

Last post, we looked at a way to keep ourselves fed on the Word of God. In today's post, let's focus on what our clergy (Overseers) are teaching the average Christian. The phrase, “the whole counsel of God,” is found in Acts 20:27, “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.”

If you're like me, it brought up a whole bunch of questions. What does that even mean? Is my clergy preaching and teaching me the whole counsel of God? Are they leaving anything out? Who decides what and how the average Christian gets taught on any given Sunday? Picture this: any given Sunday, the vast majority of Christian churches worldwide listen to their clergy teach them a segmented clip from scripture. The book and chapter it was extracted from are usually referenced at the beginning of the teaching, so the congregation can find it if they want to follow along. The segment of scripture presented is out of context from the scriptures before it and after it. Oftentimes, the clergy will quote supporting scripture from other books to strengthen the point of their message. I have witnessed clergy preaching and teaching passages of scripture, which, when read in context to the rest of the scripture surrounding it, did not mean what they said they meant when they taught it. Is that your church? Does the referenced scripture you are being taught actually mean what your clergy says it means? Is it wrong to teach this way? No, it's the way they were taught to teach. It's a style that is prevalent in most Western Christian churches. And before you get your hackles up, let me hasten to add that most of the time, the clergy are genuinely trying to do the right thing. However, some churches do deceive (more on that in a future post). 

There is an interesting article I ran across concerning this very topic. The website is gotquestions.org, the link is here (https://www.gotquestions.org/whole-counsel-of-God.html). I encourage you to read it. I will be extrapolating some of the text from this article to illustrate my point.

So, what's missing? The lack of knowledge is a big one; in some seminaries, prophecy is not even taught to new clergy.  In some instances, it's the lack of courage to teach the word boldly. In general, Clergy is often hesitant to teach specific topics in scripture because they fear losing their congregation, funding, or their position as head of their church. Denominational bias is also an issue. These denominations don't even believe in certain passages of scripture; they minimize or even eliminate these passages from their "interpretations" of the Bible to reduce their potential impact on their congregations. Finally, it's you and me. Sadly, there are some Christians who don't want to hear the WHOLE counsel of God!  These Christians do not want to be held accountable (to you, to their church, and surely not to God). Just tell them the good parts: "I am loved," and "I'm going to heaven." That's it. They don't want to hear about the confession of sin, lifestyle changes, repentance, humility, or serving God. These Christians will not attend a church that teaches the whole counsel of God.

So, sounds pretty bleak, doesn't it? Yes, it does, and no, it doesn't. There is a minority of Christian churches out there that DO teach the whole counsel of God. But you have to go hunt for them.  Some can be found on the internet. Search, check it out. If it doesn't answer your questions, move on. Consider this: The Bible is sixty-six books written by forty-five authors, across 1500 years. It is the inspired AUTHORITATIVE Word of God! The Bible was not created in a vacuum. Each book, chapter, and verse fits into a cohesive tapestry designed by God to show us His character, His nature, and His path to our salvation. While the Bible was not necessarily written to us. It is written for us. I left Catholicism because they could not and would not answer my questions. I found my answers in Evangelicalism. I will direct you to my pastor for almost forty years, Pastor Robert Furrow, Calvary Tucson (https://calvarytucson.com/). This is not to convert you or entice you to change your church. It is an example of what the whole counsel of God teaching looks like. Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse.  In context, even the hard verses. Even the ones that generate controversy.  Pay attention to what he teaches in scripture and how he teaches it. Then ask yourself the question, "Am I getting that kind of counsel from my church?" Lastly, and most importantly, the choice of where you go to church and who you listen to is always and will be forever yours. As always, ask God where He wants you to be. He'll put you there if you let Him. Until next time.

Walk in the guidance of the Lord.

G

Are You Getting Enough To Eat?

Generally speaking, here in the West, we don't worry about where our next meal is coming from. While there is a great need to feed the hungry worldwide, and every Christian should endeavor to address hunger wherever they are, that's not the purpose of today's post. Today's topic is, “Are you getting enough to eat, spiritually?”

How often do you read and study the Word of God? The gamut generally runs from not at all to a Christian who can quote scripture on the fly in four different biblical languages in any given situation. Where do you fit? How much are we supposed to be reading and studying the Bible? What does God say about His Word? What does the Bible say?

The Bible says, “...man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3), emphasizing that spiritual survival depends on divine revelation. Other scriptures include: Romans 10:17; Ezra 7:10; Psalm 119:11; Psalm 1:2; Jeremiah 15:16; Isaiah 55:2, and John 6:35 are just a few. God wants us to communicate with Him on all levels. It requires attentiveness on our part. Feeding on the Word of God is active, not passive. It is more than just reading a piece of scripture here or there. The Christian practice began with the Apostles (Acts 6:1-6), “...But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.”

So here's what most Bible teachers, scholars, and theologians say about feeding on the word of God. The process is deliberate. It includes the following: First, Hearing and Studying: Listening attentively to God’s voice and diligently investigating the text. Secondly, Memorization and Meditation: Internalizing Scripture to keep it central in the heart and contemplating it day and night, and finally, Appropriation: Treating the Word as personal food that must be "swallowed" and digested, allowing it to become part of one’s soul.

Okay, so we're not apostles; we don't have all day, every day to be in scripture. So practically, what does that look like? How much time do we spend in the Word? The simple answer is every day. The amount of time you should spend with the Lord in His Word is between you and Him. Pray, seek His direction. Consider this approach. Pick any book in the Bible, start with Chapter 1, verse 1 of that book. Read the first chapter all the way through. Now, go back and reread it, this time slower, and read it for understanding. Understand the context, the who, what, when, where, and why of the chapter. Are there words you don't know the meaning of? Go look them up. Ask God to show what he has for you in this chapter. Compare that with other translations (I use the New King James, the New American Standard Bibles, and the Septuagint for my study). You'd be surprised what reading a different translation brings to your understanding. Next, are there any verses that jump out at you? Highlight them, underline them. Repeat them, say them again and again inside your head and out loud; those are the verses that God wants you to remember. Finally, does any part of the chapter you've just read have any practical application for you today? Incorporate it into your day, do what it says to do. Make it part of who you are. There, you've just been fed by God Himself. How long did that take? Probably a lot less time than you thought it would. Do it every day. Go on to the next chapter in that book. Do the same thing. Continue the process until you get to the end of the book. Then pick another book. You get the idea. Pick a time and place that is convenient for you that gets you alone with God. Be consistent. Be fed regularly, and watch it change your life. Until next time.

Walk in the guidance of the Lord.

G

 

Persecuted?

Do you feel persecuted? Have you experienced persecution for being a Christian? I have no doubt that some here in the West have suffered persecution in one way or another because of their faith in Jesus Christ. You have lost jobs, loans, and other opportunities, and have even been put in jail because you believe in Jesus. In today's post, I would like to direct your attention to another persecution that is ongoing each and every day against Christians who have paid the ultimate price for their faith. I do not post this to minimize in any way your persecution for your faith. I post this because I want you to be aware that you are not alone.


I have been following the Christian persecution in Africa (particularly in Nigeria) for a while now. This article recently came to light, https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/05/nigeria-exclusive-christians-killed-faster-than-news-can/. I encourage you to read it. The Christian situation in Nigeria is dire, very dire. There is very little coverage from the Western media about their persecution. Just as there is little attention paid to Christian persecution in the Sudan, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and now even in Europe. The Bible in John 16:33 says, “...In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” And also in John 15: 20 says, ”Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...”


Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Pray that Our Lord would surround them with His Holy Host and protect them. Pray that He would strengthen them in their persecution. And pray that Christians around the world will rise up and make their voices heard to end this suffering. Romans 5:1-5 says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Until next time.

Walk in the guidance of the Lord.

G