Is God's word outdated?

by Toyosi Adegunle

The world has changed. This is no news.

Almost every day we wake up to new ideologies, inventions, philosophies, models of business, and even new words. With all of these going on, it is very easy for us to be swayed and tossed about as believers if we do not have a firm understanding of who we are and the God we're called to serve. The world might change daily but the one who made the world out of nothingness and spoke every creature into life remains the same. God remains the same, He never changes and His standards equally remain unchanging.

Christianity is not a free-thinking society. It's not a place where you can choose to update the Bible or God's standards with selfish and societal-constructed ideologies, styles, and standards. It's not a place where you decide what part of the Bible to believe and act and what another part to leave out. It's not a place where you choose to obey God when it suits your selfish plans, ideas, and convenience, and then decide to bail out when it's not convenient for you. 

1 Peter 1:25 (NIV) but the word of the Lord endures forever.”And this is the word that was preached to you.

As much as we are in a very liberal and sweet relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, you should be led by the spirit of God and not the other way round. You don't get to choose when to obey God or not, you don't get to bring your thoughts on how the will of God should be played out or how much of the standards of God should be met. These days, people think it's outdated to uphold sexual purity. The Bible says to uphold it, but because you feel 'times and seasons' are changing, then the Bible too should change? The standards of God would change too? No,  several generations have come and gone, but the word of God, the will of God, the standards of God still remains the same. 

Hebrews 13:8 (KJV) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

As a believer, your priority is what God says not what the world says, what culture says, what the season says, what social media says or what your friends say. The goal is to be totally obedient to the word, standards and will of God regardless of how seemingly difficult it is. 

A while back, the Church of England released a report on pre-marital sex and cohabitation and of course, it was opposed by statements like ”times have changed” ”this is the new normal” and several other statement. The Rev Dr Malcolm Brown, the C of E’s director of mission and public affairs, said “Civil partnership is not the same as marriage, which is founded on the taking of solemn public vows and is recognized in the church’s teaching as the only proper context for sexual relationships. So, as with same-sex civil partnerships, there is no formal service or blessing but clergy will, as always, be encouraged to respond pastorally to couples wishing to formalize their relationship in this way.”

Unlike traditional marriage vows, the legislation on civil partnerships “leaves entirely open the nature of the commitment that members of a couple choose to make to each other when forming a civil partnership. In particular, it is not predicated on the intention to engage in a sexual relationship.”

It seems like sexual purity is the most profound controversial topic for believers when it comes to making decisions or taking a stand, but this cuts across several issues in your life as a believer. When you find yourself in the middle of God’s way or your way, what do you do? Where do you go? How do you choose? Do you try to make excuses or say "God understands" and go your way? Or you choose God’s way regardless of how hard it is? It would only be fair for you to be sincere with yourself and answer these questions, that's the beginning of honesty and it would most definitely help you find your way back to upholding God's word and his will, standards or truth.

Psalm 12:6 (NIV)  And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

It may be really hard sometimes, if not all the time. Your life experiences, lessons, relationships, or encounters will not change what the word says. Sin is a universal issue for everyone, believers especially but the only response you should recognize and apply is the gospel of Christ. Sexual sin is not bigger than lying or gossiping, stealing is not smaller than murder, sin is sin. Jesus paid the price for all sins so we can be free from the power it wields. 

Wherever you are, whatever situation you find yourself in now or later, understand that the gospel of Christ remains the same, it never changes, and it remains potent for generations to come. It will and should always be your approach to every controversial and unpleasant situation you may find yourself in.

Luke 11:28 (NIV) He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

As a believer, you are an ambassador for Christ, you are a son of God, you represent Christ in your family, career and every other sect you may be part of, embracing and utilizing the gospel as an answer to everything would come easy for you if you prioritize your position in Christ and prioritize the gospel too.

Have you ever been in a compromising situation where you had to choose between the gospel and the seemingly right worldly standard? Kindly share in the comment section if you don't mind.

Stay blessed and empowered to utilize the gospel always. 

Note from the editor

Hello, beautiful children of God, I hope this post blessed you! I just wanted to remind everyone to continue to submit to God and watch how He changes your heart desires to conform to His own. It will no longer be my way versus God's way but God's way is the only way and I enjoy it. 

My latest Youtube video is an important one for every believer interested in marriage, please watch, comment and share.

With love

Bibi Babatunde-Ikotun