“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”
Isaiah 7:9(b)
When we first believe in Jesus Christ and invite Him into our hearts and as Master of our lives, a foundation is laid by which God’s remaining structure is built. The Holy Spirit Who dwells within every true believer, pours the cement of God’s Truth upon solid rock, insuring that no shifting sands will undermine what He builds and topple it to the ground (Matt. 7:24-27; 1Cor. 3:10). He then guides us to Godly men who will teach us the Word of God and all it contains, and who will erect the impenetrable walls of God’s divine will and purpose. He establishes bulwarks against the raging sea of false doctrines that are devised by men who malevolently attempt to tear down what He has built. If we are not guarding ourselves closely, it is at this critical juncture that we find ourselves in peril of deception and being led astray (Matt. 7:15-19; 2Cor. 11:1-15).
Within each structure that is built, doorways are added in order to gain entry. Each one is usually equipped with a heavy lock or alarm system that prevents thieves from entering and stealing what you possess (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:35-40). Some walls have watchtowers and stationed upon each one is a watchman whose eyes are constantly scanning the horizon for the enemy’s approach (Matt 24:36-44; 26:41). But if the door is opened to a stranger, or the watchman falls asleep and the wall is breached, access is gained by the enemy and those whose wish it is to lure us from the safety of God’s harbor and into the dangerous seas of false and damning doctrines.
The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians about being over-confident about their faith and encouraged them to run from people and things they knew were wrong. He concluded his warning by exhorting them to turn to God for help when temptations come (1Cor. 10:11-13). God has the strength to help us avoid being led astray by deceivers. But we must first have the desire to allow Him to point out the deception. Once we have allowed Him to reveal falsehoods that are perpetrated by charlatans, He will, by His power, give us the strength and wisdom to turn from them. “Our lives derive all their strength from God; if He deigns to make us strong, we cannot be weakened by all the schemes of the adversary." (C.H. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening, pg. 176)
The apostle John wrote: (1John 2:24) He realized that there were ravenous wolves that had slipped in amongst the flock of new believers. These depraved men were stirring up false arguments with the intention of tearing down God’s beginning foundation which He established among them. John warned them about those who were bringing a “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.”“counterfeit” gospel (1John 2:26-27) that would lead them from the Truth they had originally received. If we allow the Holy Spirit’s voice to penetrate our hearts and minds, we are divinely guarded from the danger of being overtaken by lies and deception. We are further strengthened by yielding to Him and His counsel so that the next time we are assaulted by false teachers and those who would pervert the Word of God, we are better-equipped to turn from them and return to our beginning as established by the Lord.
It is in every Christian’s eternal best interest to always stand firmly upon the foundation which God has established. We are to equip ourselves through diligent and tireless study of God’s Word that is meant to provide us with the necessary armor against the endless onslaught of those who are perverting the Truth (Eph. 6:10-20). And we are also called to “point these things out to the brothers” (1Tim. 4:6) so that they will not “abandon the faithand follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1Tim. 4:1).
We have an obligation to gently, yet firmly, correct our brothers and sisters, especially in the age in which we live where the church is being ruthlessly invaded by frauds and deceivers bent on preaching lies to line their pockets, and to suit themselves and their sinfulness. We should be willing to encourage others to “test the spirits” for subtle and damning heresies and fine-sounding arguments that would lead them from Scriptural Truth, regardless of how your encouragement is received by them (Jude 1-2). There will be those who will stubbornly refuse to hear what you are attempting to bring them, those who will be willing to believe the myriad untruths and maze of lies so prevalent in today's Christian community. They may even react with vitriol, striking out at you and condemning you with their own brand of condemnation and, sadly, hatred. In light of the trouble that is brewing within today’s church, this can be expected. But we must “press on toward the goal to win the prize” and to “live up to what we have already attained” (Phil. 3:14). If we are obedient to God’s urgings to remain fearless and faithful, the man who truly possesses the Spirit of God will see his error, heed your warning, and return to his beginnings (2Tim. 4:2-5; Titus 2:15; Rev. 3:19).
“Stand firm and hold to the teachings” that have been passed onto you by the mouth of God (2Thes. 2:15). Look to His Holy Spirit to properly guide and instruct you in the Truth so that the foundation that has been laid will stand solidly throughout all of eternity.
There is no spare time available to fear offending a brother or sister in Christ who has strayed from Spiritual Truth. Their very soul depends upon you remaining faithful and helping them return to the Rock on which their foundation began.
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” (Rev. 3:11)
Within each structure that is built, doorways are added in order to gain entry. Each one is usually equipped with a heavy lock or alarm system that prevents thieves from entering and stealing what you possess (Matt. 6:19-21; Luke 12:35-40). Some walls have watchtowers and stationed upon each one is a watchman whose eyes are constantly scanning the horizon for the enemy’s approach (Matt 24:36-44; 26:41). But if the door is opened to a stranger, or the watchman falls asleep and the wall is breached, access is gained by the enemy and those whose wish it is to lure us from the safety of God’s harbor and into the dangerous seas of false and damning doctrines.
The apostle Paul warned the Corinthians about being over-confident about their faith and encouraged them to run from people and things they knew were wrong. He concluded his warning by exhorting them to turn to God for help when temptations come (1Cor. 10:11-13). God has the strength to help us avoid being led astray by deceivers. But we must first have the desire to allow Him to point out the deception. Once we have allowed Him to reveal falsehoods that are perpetrated by charlatans, He will, by His power, give us the strength and wisdom to turn from them. “Our lives derive all their strength from God; if He deigns to make us strong, we cannot be weakened by all the schemes of the adversary." (C.H. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening, pg. 176)
The apostle John wrote: (1John 2:24) He realized that there were ravenous wolves that had slipped in amongst the flock of new believers. These depraved men were stirring up false arguments with the intention of tearing down God’s beginning foundation which He established among them. John warned them about those who were bringing a “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you.”“counterfeit” gospel (1John 2:26-27) that would lead them from the Truth they had originally received. If we allow the Holy Spirit’s voice to penetrate our hearts and minds, we are divinely guarded from the danger of being overtaken by lies and deception. We are further strengthened by yielding to Him and His counsel so that the next time we are assaulted by false teachers and those who would pervert the Word of God, we are better-equipped to turn from them and return to our beginning as established by the Lord.
It is in every Christian’s eternal best interest to always stand firmly upon the foundation which God has established. We are to equip ourselves through diligent and tireless study of God’s Word that is meant to provide us with the necessary armor against the endless onslaught of those who are perverting the Truth (Eph. 6:10-20). And we are also called to “point these things out to the brothers” (1Tim. 4:6) so that they will not “abandon the faithand follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1Tim. 4:1).
We have an obligation to gently, yet firmly, correct our brothers and sisters, especially in the age in which we live where the church is being ruthlessly invaded by frauds and deceivers bent on preaching lies to line their pockets, and to suit themselves and their sinfulness. We should be willing to encourage others to “test the spirits” for subtle and damning heresies and fine-sounding arguments that would lead them from Scriptural Truth, regardless of how your encouragement is received by them (Jude 1-2). There will be those who will stubbornly refuse to hear what you are attempting to bring them, those who will be willing to believe the myriad untruths and maze of lies so prevalent in today's Christian community. They may even react with vitriol, striking out at you and condemning you with their own brand of condemnation and, sadly, hatred. In light of the trouble that is brewing within today’s church, this can be expected. But we must “press on toward the goal to win the prize” and to “live up to what we have already attained” (Phil. 3:14). If we are obedient to God’s urgings to remain fearless and faithful, the man who truly possesses the Spirit of God will see his error, heed your warning, and return to his beginnings (2Tim. 4:2-5; Titus 2:15; Rev. 3:19).
There is no spare time available to fear offending a brother or sister in Christ who has strayed from Spiritual Truth. Their very soul depends upon you remaining faithful and helping them return to the Rock on which their foundation began.
1 comment:
there is also no leisure time to make sure that everyone hears the true gospel. Amen to everything you said Karen. It hurts, sometimes, to be attacked by people you thought were friends but when you think about who is behind their vitriol you can know that you spoke the truth. That awful spirit hates it when he is exposed. Keep up the good work sis!!
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