“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.” What is interpreted as very religious could mean that they acknowledge the existence of God and are seeking Him. Or it could mean that he was saying that they are superstitious and so they endeavor to “cover their bases.” We also see that in our times, we see those who want to “cover their bases.” People who dabble in the varied beliefs of the world. They don’t want to offend any belief lest that is a real one. Not knowing a sure truth, they give respect to all beliefs. Once, about 1980 or so, being rather new in the Lord, there was a co-worker who spoke with me about my beliefs and he shared his beliefs. The conversation remained open and calm although many of his points were what he believed were based on the Bible but they were not. He claimed to believe in the Bible, just not all of it. At the conclusion of our conversation the man said to me, in a very positive way that he had formerly not thought about what was presented to him that day, but that he still had his own beliefs. He told me that he had enjoyed the conversation and he was glad that at the end of the conversation “we respect each other’s opinions.” I replied “It is true that I respect your right to have your own opinion, however I do not respect your opinion.” A shocked expression came over his face. I continued “You see it would be against what I believe to respect what you believe. I don’t think what you said has any merit in truth but are commonly held errors. What you believe opposes what I believe, therefore to respect what you believe is to disrespect the absolute truth of what I believe. So I respect your right to hold your belief, but to respect what you believe is to disrespect what I believe.” The man left me somewhat shaken by what I said. Know that I still cared about this man, but I would not deceive him by compromising the fact that the Gospel is the only truth that leads to peace with God (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). First is my loyalty to God and my love for Him, and from that comes my love for others. To tell someone that I respect the error they believe is not to love that person. It is giving them a confidence in what they believe. God forbid that I would do that and sin against God and against them. Furthermore, it would be an elevating of myself for the person’s favor and a usurping of the love, glory and acceptance of the glory that belongs solely to God. Family, this is no light consideration. I will not decrease the importance of God’s Word solely so that people will like me. Too many in our day do this now so as to not to offend the sensibilities of the lost or immature in Christ. It is self-idolatry and a travesty against God. God forbid! Let us not be as these Athenians who religiously and superstitiously cover their spiritual bases, but let us be confident and loyal to the Truth, the Son of God. To Jesus, the one and only Way to favor with God, be all glory and praise! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”