Wednesday, June 24,
2015, 7:51 a.m. – The Lord Jesus put in mind the song, “Lord, Move Me.” Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read 1 Timothy 1:1-11 (NASB).
False Doctrines
(vv. 1-4)
Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and
of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,
To
Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
As
I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you
may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention
to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather
than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
What is doctrine?
“Biblical
doctrine helps us understand the will of God for our lives. Biblical doctrine
teaches us the nature and the character of God (Psalm 90:2; 97:2; John 4:24),
the path of salvation through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:9–10),
instruction for the church (1 Corinthians 14:26; Titus 2:1–10), and God’s
standard of holiness for our lives (1 Peter 1:14–17; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20). When
we accept the Bible as God’s Word to us (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20–21), we
have a solid foundation for our doctrine. There can be disagreement within the
body of Christ over secondary points of doctrine, such as eschatology, church
organization, or the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But truly biblical doctrine is
that which incorporates the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and draws
conclusions based on that which seems most closely aligned with the character
of our unchanging God (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 13:8).” http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-doctrine.html
So, a strange (different, false) doctrine would be that
which deviates from, takes away from, or adds to the doctrines of scripture. I
will note here that, as followers of Christ, we do not fall under the Old
Covenant laws and stipulations, so our doctrine, although largely influenced by
the Old Testament writings, especially those of the prophets, is primarily
based in the teachings of Christ and that of the apostles. In other words, the
doctrine that is the doctrine we are to follow is found in the gospel of Jesus
Christ and in the writings of the apostles, and anything which deviates
(departs) from these teachings is not sound. Since a myth, in this context
especially, is generally regarded as something created in the minds of humans,
and is fabricated (fiction), as opposed to what is of God, and what is factual
(truth), these myths (sometimes traditions) can also fall into the category of
deviations.
So many of today’s modern church congregations here in
America make great boasts as to how they have left legalism and man-made
religion behind them, and how “free” and “authentic” and “real” they are, but
those are primarily marketing “buzz” words, for we hear them all over the place
in these churches’ business goals, objectives, mission and purpose statements. So,
all they really did was just trade one form of man-made religion for another
form of human-based religion. The source is still human beings, humanistic
philosophy, and human tradition. Even these modern churches, which claim to
have left tradition behind them, still carry many traditions with them into
their new modern church settings.
One of those traditions is that the church (the house of
God) is a building or a human-based organization or corporation, whereas the
true church is us, the people of God, in whom God dwells. Another is that the
church must meet on Sunday mornings, in these buildings called “church,” whereas
the New Testament church met every day in the week, in the temple courts, and
from house to house.
One of these “myths” that is widely circulating today is
that the KJV Bible is the only true Bible. They treat it as though it
originated with God, and was written by those in whom God breathed his divine
words. The Bible was not originally written in English, though. It was written
in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek, I believe. And, only the original manuscripts are
inerrant. From the originals came many copies, and from those manuscripts and
copies of manuscripts came multiple translations in various languages.
As well, the KJV was largely borrowed from a previous
English version or two. The King, as well, who authorized this version, was
evidently not a godly man, and was entirely human, as well as were the men he
assigned to translate the Bible. Humans are not without prejudice of thought or
without error, and even copies of manuscripts have the potential of error in
them. So, although this version has certainly survived the test of time, it is
not without human error, and neither was the man who commissioned it and the
men who translated it. So, we should not elevate it to on par with the original
text, as was breathed into the writers by God himself. Yet, we should be very
discerning about any translation we read, for they can all contain some error.
I would personally avoid transliterations.
A Pure Heart (vv.
5-7)
But
the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and
a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to
fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do
not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make
confident assertions.
So, why exert so much time and effort into exposing what is
false? Because we love people, and we don’t want them to follow after lies and
deceptions, and because God says we should expose the fruitless deeds of
darkness, and that we should warn our brothers and sisters in Christ so that
they don’t fall into Satan’s traps. Those who are true ministers of the gospel
of Jesus Christ, anointed of the Spirit of God, called of God, filled with the
Spirit, and who are following our Lord in obedience and in surrender to his
will, do so out of love, purity of heart, a good conscience and sincere faith,
not looking to cheat, deceive or manipulate anyone for their own advantage. Yet,
many teachers of the Word don’t have such purity of heart and motives, and many
are quite willing to engage in deception, lies and manipulations of truth in
order to build their earthly kingdoms. You don’t build earthly kingdoms by
telling people the hard facts, but by telling them what is pleasing to their
ears and to their senses, so that they will feel comfortable and will want to
return.
So, what are some examples of “fruitless discussions”? I
believe a “fruitless discussion,” in this context, is one that has no bearing
whatsoever on our eternal salvation, but is just a matter of the exchange of
personal opinion, thought and belief with regard to non-essentials, or with
regard to teaching that is of human origin and especially that which is opposed
to sound doctrine. One example might be discussions on modes of baptism.
Although I believe dunking should be the preferred method, because of what
baptism symbolizes, still baptism is not essential to our eternal salvation,
i.e. we can receive the Holy Spirit apart from being baptized with water. If
dunking is not possible, I see no problem with using whatever means possible,
though nothing sinful, to publicly make declaration of faith in Jesus Christ,
such as sprinkling or pouring water over someone.
Another such example would be discussions concerning End
Times, in particular as it regards pre-trib, post-trib or mid-trib rapture. No
matter what we believe in that matter, Jesus Christ is going to come when comes.
I would rather believe post-trib and not be disappointed if I am wrong, then
bank my life on a pre-trib rapture, and be wrong. I am not saying we should not
teach such passages of scripture, especially as it relates to what is going on
in the world around us presently, but that we should not get into arguments over
such things that really have no bearing on our eternal salvation, that only
cause friction and even hatred among Christians, and usually end up hurting the
body of Christ. I will not argue with people over so many interpretations of
these events, but will share what I believe God is teaching me and what I am
witnessing, and I will leave up to the reader to judge for himself or herself
if there is any merit to what I have shared. Hopefully, you will prayerfully
consider what is shared, and will inquire of God as to its merit.
The Law (vv.
8-11)
But
we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that
law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and
rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those
who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and
homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is
contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed
God, with which I have been entrusted.
The point here, I believe, is that followers of Christ
should no longer be engaged in sinful acts such as these, for Jesus Christ died
for our sin that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his stripes
we are healed. He died that we would no longer live for ourselves, but for him
who gave himself up for us. He died that we might be crucified with Christ to
our former way of life, be transformed in heart and mind of the Spirit of God,
and that we might be resurrected with Christ to living holy lives, pleasing to
God. Jesus died that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met
in us who walk not according to the flesh, but who conduct our lives according
to (in agreement with) the Spirit. His grace, which brings salvation, teaches
us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s return.
So, if someone is telling you that you can pray a prayer to
receive Christ, that you are now saved, and that you have heaven guaranteed no
matter how you live your life from this point forward, that teaching is not
according to sound doctrine, for that is not the gospel according to Jesus and
according to the apostles. That is a deviation from the true gospel, and it
leaves out essential elements of the gospel that are critical to our eternal
salvation. On the flip side of that, if someone is teaching you that it is
impossible for a true follower of Christ to ever sin, that is also a deviation,
for we read in 1 Jn. 2:1 that we should not sin, but if we should sin, Jesus
Christ is our advocate to the Father, because his righteousness, which has been
credited to our accounts, stands in our defense, so that we are free from
condemnation. Yet, if we think we have fellowship with God, and we continue to
conduct our lives in sinful pleasure and self-gratification (in darkness), then
we are liars.
Lord, Move Me /
An Original Work / October 16, 2011
Be my desire, my heart set on fire,
Lord, move me to worship You only, I pray.
Fill with Your Spirit, my heart overflow.
Lord, may I long for You; Your word to know.
Teach me to walk with You, Lord, in Your power,
And may I serve You, Lord, right now in this hour.
Lord, how I want to obey You forever.
Help me to hear You, Lord, so I will not stray.
Teach me to love You; adore You always.
Envelope me, Lord, with Your grace today.
Meet me in my need, and show me Your mercy.
Forgive me for all things, as I humbly pray.
Counsel me, lead me, direct me, and guide me,
So I follow You, Lord, where’er You lead now.
I love to hear You speak Your words to me.
I am so grateful that You set me free.
Wash me, and cleanse me, and make me like You, Lord,
And I will live with You for eternity.
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