Honesty Is Important

I have seen some video lectures by a man named Walter J. Veith. In the videos I watched, he explains different aspects of religion - talking about Freemasonry, The Flood and other things. I was really impressed at his knowledge of history and his seemingly honest viewpoint.

In his lectures about some religions, he points out that the fact they are being deceptive should be a clue to the discerning Christian.

Okay.

I noticed in one of the lectures that he seemed so adamant about when the Sabbath should be observed. Since the point he was making had to do with a conflict with the Roman Catholics, I didn't pay as much attention at the moment. Later I noticed he again re-iterated his beliefs about the Sabbath. It seemed extremely important to him.

I love Google.

I Googled Mr. Veith and began to quickly see hits mentioning his Seventh Day Adventist ties.

Wow.

Now, I don't have many problems with the Seventh Day Adventist teachings because I don't know a whole lot about them. The problem I have is that they do lean so heavily on the teachings of their founder, Ellen G. White. I have a problem with anyone who cannot depend on the Bible only to promote and spread the Gospel.

The biggest problem I have with SDA is that they don't identify themselves. If I get talking to someone about the Gospel (or religion in general), I identify myself as a Bible-believing Christian. I tell them that while I don't belong to a specific church, I was raised Church of God In Christ. I don't try to lead a Baptist into believing that I am Baptist. I don't try to lead a JW into believing that I have anything in common with them.

Why wouldn't a member of the SDA want you to know that's what they are? Is it because they are worried that you will hear about their history and beliefs and want to measure them against what the Bible says?

If Mr. Veith had been open about his church affiliation, I still would have listened to his lectures. A lot of the information he gave was useful. I would have judged it all against the Bible, of course, but I would have at least felt that Mr. Veith was being honest.

When someone is dishonest or deceptive about one thing, that makes you question their motives about everything. Especially when witnessing to people about faith, honesty is most important. A person can walk away from you disagreeing with you but still respecting that you were honest.

Peace
--Free

2 Cor 13:7-8
Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.
For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.