Danger Ahead

 

 In "The Sermon on the Mount", Jesus warned believers to watch out for false teachers:  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:15-16a).  The warning about watching out for false prophets and others who distort the truth was not a new teaching by our Lord, but rather, a continuation of the many warnings given throughout the Old Testament to beware of those who twist the truth.
     Paul continues this theme as he speaks to the elders of Ephesus when he says:  "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:29-30).  The sad part is that Paul's words came true.  The Ephesian church had some of its own leaders who became involved in speaking twisted things and leading others astray.  This becomes clear when we read the letters to young Timothy.  Paul mentions quarrels over words (2 Timothy 2:14), genealogies (I Timothy 1:4), meaningless talk (I Tim.1:6) and godless chatter (1 Tim. 2:16; 1 Tim. 6:20).  In fact Paul starts his series of letters to Timothy by saying:  "I urged you when I was going to Macedonia to remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith" (I Tim. 1:3-4).
     Some of the issues that the false teachers raised concerned the prohibition of marriage and of certain foods (1 Tim. 4:3) as well as the belief that the resurrection had already taken place among believers (2 Tim. 2:18).  These "pot stirrers" were upsetting the faith of their fellow believers.  Jesus predicted this would happen.  Paul predicted it would happen, and he warned Timothy to guard the flock as a result and make certain to handle the Word with skill and care.
     Sadly, many false teachers can arise from within the Body of believers as they did in Ephesus.  Some come along for monetary gain and others for power.  Then, I believe there are those who may sincerely believe that their twisted teaching is right.  They have fallen prey to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons (I Tim. 4:1).  Ultimately, it is easy to get caught up in this web if we are not solid students of God's Word.  Let me give an example.
     During the years we homeschooled, there were some strong movements within the community of Christians committed to teaching their children at home.  One of these influential people was Mary Pride.  I had purchased a number of her books as she had a lot of good information on curriculum.  However, she also subscribed to a firm belief that couples should have unlimited children and that birth control was not what God wanted for the family.  On face value, it would have been easy to get swayed into that manner of thinking.  However, after prayer and Bible study, I could see that perhaps that was something the Lord had laid upon her heart, but my husband and I were not bound to that system of belief.  Don't get me wrong.  Children and family are very important.  I love them as evidenced by the four we had, but this is a decision to be made between a husband and a wife with God at the center.  This is not something that then is a mark of a "true" Christian.  Works, performance, do's and don'ts are not prerequisites for salvation.  Nor can doing certain things add to our salvation.  So how can we begin to discern if someone is passing along a teaching that is missing the mark?
     First, see how the teacher is using the Scripture.  Is the interpretation sound, and biblical?  We should not look at their personality.  Instead listen to what he says.  I John 4:1 tells us to test the teacher to see if he/she is from God.  Secondly, what is their goal?  Is there a spiritual goal?  Does this teacher want to lead people to a deeper relationship with God and holy living?  Third, check the teacher's motive.  Are they selfless or selfish?  Are they demonstrating humility in their life or in their efforts are they becoming wealthy?  Fourth, what is the teacher's effect?  Do those who follow this teacher understand the Gospel and the proper use of the Law?  Jesus said we would know them by their fruits.
     Once we have evaluated these things honestly, prayed and sought out the Scripture, we will know if the person is misguiding people in their teaching.  The church today, as in Ephesus, needs to confront and deal with false teaching.  Otherwise, we can get caught up in bunny trails that lead us away from the Lord and down a wrong path.   Let us be gentle as doves but as wise as serpents when it comes to eliminating false teaching from the body of believers.  Know the Scripture, study the Word and be alert for the enemy of our souls wants to distract us from living for Jesus Christ.  Selah!


Picture of the wolf courtesy of Jaqabar on Wiki Commons at:  Lobo en el Zoo de Madrid 01.jpg

Lessons Learned - A Reflection

     In the quiet of my home last evening as I was savoring the sweet birthday wishes from friends and family, I reflected on the years God has given to me.  I was born on May 14, 1948 when Harry Truman was President and the day the State of Israel came into existence.  Through my 65 years of living, I have experienced the turbulent decade of the sixties with riots, hippies and protests against the war in Vietnam to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert and Dr. Martin Luther King.  I witnessed the resignation of President Nixon and the horror of 9/11/2001.  In addition, I have survived bulba
r polio, graduated college with a B.A. degree in communications/teaching, attended graduate school at The Ohio State University for a year and met and married a wonderful man.  We have raised four children, homeschooled them 21 years and watched three of them marry and have families of their own.  During the course of this time, my husband and I have buried our parents and lost other loved ones as well.  What has sustained me, kept our marriage together and enabled us to forge ahead during tough times was our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  The lessons God has taught have been rich and full.
     First, I have learned that "life is not fair".  My father and later my husband always remind me of this by saying, "Who ever told you life was fair?"  Indeed, Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart!  I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).  Living in a fallen world as a citizen of heaven is not an easy task.  We face opposition for our worldview because we proclaim and live the truth claims of Christ.  However, we have an advocate in our Lord who stands before God and intercedes (prays) for us!  When I remember that and the fact that He overcame this world, I am comforted when life, indeed, leaves me disappointed.  We are just passing through this broken world and our destination will be a place that is fair, holy, without tears, losses or heartaches.
     Over the years, I have also come to rejoice in the sovereignty of God.  Knowing that God rules and reigns over all the affairs of men, nations, kings, rulers and armies brings me peace of mind at a time when there are wars and rumors of wars.  Having lived through the Vietnam conflict, I saw many of my college friends go off to war never to return.  Living through the assassination of one president and the resignation of another can leave anyone wondering what is going on here?  Nevertheless, when we know and trust in a sovereign God, we believe that He knows the beginning from the end of all things and works all things together for good.  Isaiah 46:9-10 reads:  "...remember the former things of old; for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,'.....I also love this verse in Isaiah 55:11:  "...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."  These verses bring me comfort.  Living under His watchful eye, knowing that He is in control even if life's circumstances are not should bring our hearts peace.  Has God ever failed in His promises?  No!  He has fulfilled them all in Christ our Savior.  Whether others believe this truth or not does not alter it.
     Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned, though, is that my worth as a person is not found in my performance, my appearance, my income or based on all the good deeds I do.  No, rather, my worth and significance as a person is found in Jesus Christ as Lord.  In Him, I am whole and complete.  Though my body has aged and changed, my spirit is renewed daily.  I am the same person I was when I was much younger only I have had a lot more experience with the bumps and bruises of life.  Yet, I am still continuing to learn and grow daily.  Realizing that we are pleasing to God through a relationship and commitment to His Son Jesus Christ sets us free.  His forgiveness as a result of our sincere repentance allows us to know that we are clean before God.  No amount of money, toys or gimmicks can do that for our soul.  I don't have to dance to a certain tune, do "X" number of good deeds, or worry about my body type.  In Christ, you and I are accepted when we make a real commitment to Him.  Now that is freeing!
     I do not know how many years the Lord will continue to bless me with.  However, I do know that as long as I live, I want to glorify Him, encourage others and serve Him with gladness.  Life is a journey - a preparation for eternity either with Christ or in Hell.  The opportunity to receive Him and grow in Him is always there.  If He is calling to your heart, do not delay in coming to Him.  Speaking from 65 years of experience, I know that my life has been richer and fuller because He called me to Himself in Christ 42 years ago.  I have to agree with the words to a song, "Every Day with Jesus is Sweeter Than the Day Before." May you know that joy as well and put your hand in His.  He will
never disappoint or fail you.  Selah!

A Virus and a Verse

     This past week my husband and I were battling colds.  We had both been pretty healthy until this point.  I thought I was recovering nicely when I was hit with a wave of nausea and a fever this past weekend.  Knowing that there is little to do for a virus, I went to bed, took some Tylenol and drank lots of fluid.  Some things are just out of our hands.  We can take basic steps to be comfortable, but we have not found a cure for the common virus at this point.  As I was thinking about this, a verse came to my mind.  Ephesians 2:8-9 reads:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  Just as I cannot cure the virus infecting my body, I cannot save myself.
     Opening my Bible, I reflected on the verses that came before this verse quoted above.  Paul makes it clear that we were dead in trespasses and sins:  "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  When we are dead, there is no life in the body, and there is nothing we can do in ourselves to bring that life back.  Spiritually speaking, this is our original condition.  Paul made it clear in Romans 3:10:  "As it is written, there is none righteous no not one."
He continues in Romans 3:23:  "for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God..."  Knowing that we are dead spiritually, what is the answer?  What can bring us to life?
     Paul continues in his letter to the Ephesians with these words of comfort:  "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-7).  Did we get the two main words?  "But God".  It is God that works to bring us to life.  He is the one that calls us as He applies His mercy and grace to our dead souls.  He breathes the breath of salvation into our hearts so we are able to believe.  Now Paul's famous verses make complete sense:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing."
     Because we live in such a performance oriented society, our sinful flesh tells us there must be something we can do to add to our salvation or even to obtain it.  However, Paul makes it crystal clear in this passage of Scripture as he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  We cannot do anything to bring salvation into our lives.  It is God who in His love and mercy calls us, regenerates us and brings us to believing faith in Christ.  Just as I cannot do anything to make the virus leave me, I cannot come to salvation by any effort of my own.
     Funny how God brings home His truths when you are sitting in a sick bed, but I am happy that God uses all things to teach us.  I rejoice that He has called me to salvation, and my prayer is that any who read this will be quickened by His Spirit and awakened to salvation.  If you are already a believer, may this encourage you to know how great a gift God gives to those whom He chooses and calls.  We serve a mighty loving Father who provides all we need for life and godliness.  In Him alone, do we find salvation.  Selah!


Picture courtesy of David at Wiki Commons.com