Cultural Mantras

Our modern culture is filled with short sayings, motivational quotes, and mantras
that sound wise and uplifting. For most, they are easy to remember, comforting
in times of stress, and often repeated as though they line up with truths we can
find in God’s word. But many of them do not come from God’s Word at all. Some
even actually contradict it. Paul warned in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest anyone
cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of
men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
If we want…

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The Golden Mean

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi contained the inscription: “Nothing In Excess”
This is what Greek philosophers referred to as “The Golden Mean” – the virtuous
middle between two extremes. Aristotle gave as an example, “Courage is the
mean between cowardice and recklessness.”
More importantly to us, this avoidance of extremes is also a biblical principle,
found in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, Prov 30:8-9:
Give me neither poverty nor riches . . . lest I be full and deny Thee
and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be in want and steal.

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In The Beginning . . .

In his book, “12 Choices: Life-Changing Decisions You Must Make,” Wilson
Adams makes an observation about how the book of Genesis begins:
Isn’t it interesting how the Bible begins? One might expect Scripture to
lead off with a detailed explanation about God, His nature, and a
definitive apologetic as to why you should believe in Him. It doesn’t.
The Bible begins with an assumption: assuming that rational people will
grasp the obvious: a Supreme Being superior to man did all this!
Brother Adams’ point becomes all the more relevant when we compare the
opening words…

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Do Not Be Deceived

Those who are in Christ Jesus have been saved by grace through faith to the glory
of God. We didn’t earn or merit anything (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our redemption is a
gift through the incredible sacrifice of Christ (Romans 5:15; 6:23). What’s more, if
we sin, Christ continues to advocate for us before the Father (1 John 2:1). In light
of this incredible gift we can develop a dangerous attitude if we are not careful.
Consider the following passages:
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom
of God? Do not be deceived. Neither…