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The Conspiracy of Silence - Part 2
Are we really supposed to turn a blind eye to error being taught? Are we supposed to ignore all the nonsense being preached as truth and leave it up to God to sort it all out in the end? Do we have any responsibility to say anything or do anything regarding these things?
The Word of God admonishes us to expose false doctrine and not tolerate it.
Paul said, "Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?" 2 Cor.11:29
He clearly had no such passive attitude towards error being taught in the churches, because he loved the sheep! He was concerned for the churches.
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
“(3) But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (4) For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you
have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!”
He urged Timothy not to allow the teaching of false doctrine to continue...
No Other Doctrine
1 Timothy 1:3-4
“(3) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, (4) nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.”
There was not free-for-all ... or any of the “everyone believe what you want to believe” and “what's true for you may not be true for me" kind of stuff! There was a unified message, and those who taught anything contrary were not tolerated.
Only One Gospel
Galatians 1:6-8
“(6) I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, (7) which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Paul marveled that the Galatians turned away from Jesus so soon, to a different Gospel.
Note that Paul said it was "Him" they were turning away from. Turning away from His gospel and turning away from Jesus is the same thing! You cannot preach another gospel and be in Christ, you can't receive another gospel and be in Christ! It's HIS gospel, we have no authority to change it! Therefore, anyone preaching another gospel is accursed.
We are instructed to mark and avoid those teaching error (Romans 16:17-18), we aren't supposed to keep company with them (I Tim. 6:3-5, 2 Thess. 3:14-15), allow them in our home or to greet them (2 John 1:10-11).
We are to...
Rebuke Them
Titus 1:13 "This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,"and if they do not heed correction we are to separate ourselves from them..Titus 3:10 "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject."
Desirie Echols
Does this seem like strong medicine to have to dish out to to those who come in and teach false doctrines? Well, it is!
The Word of God is tough some times; but we are dealing with the things of Almighty God. This is not a game we are playing; but an eternal life and eternal death struggle. It is for real and for eternity.
Tomorrow's post will close out this fine teaching by Sister Desirie Echols. There is more strong stuff to come. With love and a strong sense of the responsibility that we all have as Christians to "rightly divide the word of truth" (Timothy 2:15 KJV), let me remind you to take heed! The time is growing short; and Jesus will soon be returning to recieve us unto himself.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28 KJV
Have a great day; and remember who and Whose you are.
Brenda Quimby Smith
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Jude v. 24 KJV
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