And "if any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, [even] the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness -- from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain ..." (I Timothy 6:3-6)
Most believers recognize that we are living in a time when there are those who will not endure sound doctrine; "but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears ... those that will turn away their ears from the truth and shall instead be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:3-4) We also know there is a significant increase in the planting of counterfeit churches across the nation that are ironically void of the Word.
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ ..."
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an anti-Christ ..."
The same Word that was with God in the beginning and is God. (John 1:1-4) The same Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us, so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:14) The same He that was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. The same He that came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
His Word that is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (II Timothy 3:16-17)
For many, the question is how do we recognized sound doctrine? For starters, let's look at how "godliness" is defined in the scriptural context. That is:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh; justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Yes, God Himself prepared a body so that we who love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength could experience His gift of salvation. His love that is beyond measure. His peace that is beyond all human understanding.
His Name is Jesus. He is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8,11)
And beside Him, there is no other. He -- God Himself having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him -- whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven -- became the perfect sacrifice so that we, who were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present ye holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight -- if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the gospel which ye have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven. (Colossians 1:1-29)
What is the gospel?
That the very same Lord God who moved across the face of the waters in the beginning loved us enough to blot out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us -- which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:14-15)
Indeed, "for in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9; 1:19) And when we ask Jesus to be Lord in our hearts and lives, and are subsequently water baptized in His Name -- buried with Him in baptism; wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God -- who hath raised Him from the dead, and being dead in our sins, and the uncircumcision of our flesh -- hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the Word of the truth of the gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and brings forth fruit, as it doth also in you -- since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth ..." (Colossians 1:6)
Some may argue that not everyone has heard the gospel but what did Isaiah prophesy?
"Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." (Romans 10:9-21)
Don't be led astray by the whims and deception of this world. Rather, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead -- for the scripture saith, "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Worship our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ who after His kindness and love became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
The One and Only who is capable of forgiving us of our sins -- because He alone shed His precious blood on the cross for us. This is why repentance and remission of sins must be preached in His Name. (Luke 24:45-49)
Thus, even though the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron, we do not have to be one of them. (I Timothy 4:1-2) We don't need to compromise the gospel that has the power to restore us to the very purpose which He wrote in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb.
"Whosoever transgresses, and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 2:9)
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
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