Are We To Be Impressed With Jesus More Than We Are In Our Ability To Consistently Follow His Teachings?
A recent statement on the website of a departure (1 Timothy 4:1) formerly known as the Otter Creek church of Christ (Nashville, TN) stated, “We are a group of people who are more impressed with Jesus than we are in our ability to consistently follow His teachings.”
This statement that is made creates the logical fallacy of what is known as a false dichotomy. A false dichotomy is defined by Wiktionary as “A situation in which two alternative points of views are presented as the only options, whereas others are available.” Otter Creek’s statement gives the false impression that either you are impressed with Jesus or - the other alternative - that you are not impressed with Jesus meaning you are only focused on your ability to consistently follow His teachings).
The fact of the matter is that we are to do both.
1. We are to be impressed with Jesus. We are to give of our heart, mind, soul, and strength to love Him (Matthew 22:38-40) because He is the Son of God (John 20:30,31). He ought to make a deep, lasting impression upon us that we want to love and serve Him faithfully all the days of our lives.
2. We are also able to consistently follow His commands (John 14:15; 15:14; Matthew 7:21-23). God does not give us impossible commands. Jesus is our Lord and since He is Master, we ought to obey His will (Hebrews 5:8,9). That is how we show and express true faith is continuing to follow His will (Luke 6:46).
Departures from the doctrine/teaching of Christ result in departures by formerly faithful Christians and even churches from Jesus Himself (2 John 9-11; Romans 16:17; John 8:30-31; 12:48).
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