Category: False Teaching

How to Know God

Thursday, April 5, 2018

“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Romans 1:19-21 KJV).

Friend, have you ever wondered how to know God?

Many today are allegedly “looking for God.” After “soul-searching,” they uncover nothing but disappointment. Visiting “church,” they find nothing but confusion. Appealing to scientists and philosophers, they realize nothing but disagreement. Glancing at society, they discover nothing but evil. In light of the disappointment, confusion, disagreement, and evil, they throw up their hands in defeat and plead ignorance: “It is impossible to know for sure if there is a God!” Those most damaged in this faulty approach reach the well-known conclusion, “There is no God” (or, its softened variation, “There is probably no God!”).

Doubtless, God exists. Firstly, today’s Scripture says a physical creation demands a Creator be behind it: observing the universe allows us to see He is intelligent and orderly. Secondly, Romans 2:14,15: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)….” Every person possesses a conscience—a system of standards and norms that evaluate (good / bad) and regulate behavior (do / do not do). We also see that the Creator has established right and wrong; we naturally have some sense of truth and error (although sin and our unique cultural upbringing modify it).

Alas, maybe we blatantly reject this most basic knowledge. Ungrateful of the Creator God and His provisions given us, we do not worship Him. Entertaining empty thoughts, our foolish heart becomes darkened. Despite our claims, we have no interest in discovering and knowing God. But, then again, what if we do?

The Bible’s Season of New Life

Monday, April 2, 2018

“God that made the world and all things therein… he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” (Acts 17:24,25 KJV).

May we never forget the true meaning of Eastertime!

Satan is the master counterfeiter: from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal how the devil schemes to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Whatever God does, Satan defiles that work by introducing false doctrine, distracts mankind from God’s truth by mimicking His actions, discourages God’s people from His ministry by using incorrect thinking patterns, and so on. Why? Satan wants the worship that God alone deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8).

Consider Christmastime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping the birth of the sun god in early winter—near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) took upon human flesh in the virgin Mary’s womb! Now, consider Eastertime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping fertility deities and new life in early spring, near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) died for our sins and resurrected victoriously over sin, death, hell, and Satan to give us new life! (To Satan’s delight, today’s average church member is not mindful of relevant sound Bible doctrine during Christmastime and Eastertime—the devil’s distractions have never lost their efficacy!)

The God of the Bible instituted in Israel a festival, Passover (the killing of a spotless lamb and its bloodshed in early spring), while they were still in Egypt (Exodus chapter 12)—Passover’s annual observance reminded them of JEHOVAH delivering them from Egyptian slavery unto new life. Israel did not understand its meaning until 1,500 years later. The true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died and shed His sinless blood during that annual Passover feast (early spring), and He resurrected in new life to give them spiritual life and liberty.

Yes, the pagans may have “hijacked” this time of year for the devil’s glory, but we can disregard their ignorance: spring is God’s season for new life. We can still use this season to bring the God of the Bible glory by remembering that He has given us physical life (today’s Scripture), and He offers us new life (that is, spiritual life) through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection! 🙂

Successful!

Friday, March 23, 2018

“Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

Without further delay, saints, let us realize how to be successful!

Today’s Scripture is some of the Apostle Paul’s final words to young Timothy. The Roman government is preparing to execute the imprisoned, aged Apostle for preaching an “illegal religion.” After 35 years of glorious grace ministry, Paul is finally going Home—to the third heaven!!!

Notice a portion of the Holy Ghost’s concluding words to us the Church the Body of Christ. In all the “ups and downs” of life and ministry, we are to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” Remember, when all else fails you, in the end, God’s grace will remain to sustain you. Paul is moving on to “be with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23). As his mentor passes off the scene, it is vital that Timothy never forgets that grace will abide. No matter how rough it gets down here, because of everything that Father God can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork, we can endure it. Never should Timothy (or we) overlook that.

Furthermore, Paul instructs Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” God taught us through Paul so we can teach the same to others. The key word here is “same:” we do not change the message, do not compromise the doctrine, and do not water down Pauline truth!! Timothy should never forget this either—especially since mass apostasy (many Christians abandoning truth to embrace error) surrounds him.

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” In light of what was just stated, we are to “endure hardness” (“suffer trouble,” 2 Timothy 2:9; “endure afflictions,” 2 Timothy 4:5). Saints, an intense spiritual battle is being waged. We have a vicious Adversary (Satan) to face. Nevertheless, we are “good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” We will win only because of God’s grace! 🙂

Sound!

Thursday, March 22, 2018

“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 cometh 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” (1 Timothy 6:3-5 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be sound in the faith.

The Greek word rendered “wholesome” in today’s Scripture is hygiano (“hygiene”). A father received his prodigal son “safe and sound” (Luke 15:27). Luke 7:10 mentioned Jesus healing the once-sick, now “whole,” servant. Christ Jesus spoke of the sick, not the “whole,” as needing a doctor (Luke 5:31). The lame man, now miraculously healed, enjoys “perfect soundness” (Acts 3:16). These “whole” or “sound” people lack physical illness and injury; they are healthy. Similarly, in Titus 1:13 and Titus 2:2, Christians are to be “sound in the faith.” How do we become spiritually healthy?

Whenever someone downplays doctrine, the equivalent phrase in the physical world is, “Consume all the junk food you want! In the end, it makes no difference what you eat!” (Oh, really?!) Unless quality physical food is consumed, your physical body will become frail, ill, and helpless. Likewise, without valuable spiritual food, your spiritual body will grow weak, sick, and impotent. The Bible rightly divided, sound Bible doctrine, is key. If the doctrine is nourishing, then obviously the spiritual body will be fed and strengthened. Hence, Scripture speaks of “sound doctrine” as essential (1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1).

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). These are “the wholesome words of Jesus Christ” of today’s Scripture: they are the words Jesus Christ spoke through the Apostle Paul. “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me,….” My dear friend, if you want to be a strong, spiritually fit Christian, you must read, believe, and heed the Pauline doctrine, Romans through Philemon. Otherwise, spiritual incapacity is your fate!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did Judas Iscariot have to betray Christ?”

Silenced!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;” (2 Timothy 1:7,8 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to preach sound Bible doctrine.

Brethren, Satan has a two-fold strategy for hindering God’s will. In “phase 1,” he attacks the message. Remember, his first words in Scripture are in Genesis 3:1: “Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Satan’s chief goal is to question (challenge) God’s Word, thus removing it as the authority. After repeatedly distorting the Bible, he outright denied it in verse 4. Satan effectually enticed Adam and Eve to corrupt, and thereby abandon, sound Bible doctrine.

If the saint maintains and defends sound Bible doctrine, not relinquishing it, then Satan begins “phase 2.” Satan’s objective here is to attack the messenger, to somehow silence him—through intimidation, hardship, embarrassment, discouragement, and so on. This is where we find Timothy in today’s Scripture. In 1 Timothy, he had dealt with false teaching in Ephesus. He has remained faithful to the grace message, having not compromised with the legalists. Satan has failed to get Timothy to pervert grace.

Now, in 2 Timothy (today’s Scripture), Timothy’s face is damp with “tears” (verse 4). He is crying, emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed by opposition and distress in the ministry. As Paul writes, pervasive doctrinal error exists now: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (verse 15). Most Christians have now abandoned Paul’s doctrine, preferring legalism and other heresies. Dejected Timothy has surrendered, having ceased (!) preaching Pauline doctrine (verse 6).

Paul, imprisoned far away in Rome for preaching God’s grace through Christ, is moved by the Holy Spirit to encourage Timothy to not be ashamed (today’s Scripture). “Timothy, remember who you are and where you came from. God’s power will get you through your situations. Share in those afflictions that accompany the Gospel! No matter what happens, boldly preach!” (Brethren, may we do likewise.)

Separate!

Thursday, March 15, 2018

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be separate from the religious system.

It is often lamented, “Doctrine divides. Let us rather gather around the love of Jesus Christ.” The Holy Spirit disagrees: sound Bible doctrine matters! Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

First Timothy 6:3-5: “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 cometh 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.”

Second Timothy 3:1-5: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

Beloved, if there is no sound Bible doctrine—King James Bible, Pauline dispensationalism—we have no reason to get involved with it!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “How can God be ‘jealous’ and not be guilty of sin?”

Sincere!

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be sincere.

Hypocrisy is a charge frequently laid against believers in Christ: “I do not go to church because of all the hypocrites there!” Actually, to some extent, everyone is a hypocrite—even the critics of Christians! We are not 100 percent genuine every single second of every single day, are we? Christian and non-Christian alike, we can all be “actors” to some degree: all of us can appear to be individuals we really are not.

Non-Christians speak and behave as if they can access the one true God without His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. They cannot. Yet, they want to say that this religion and that religion are “just as good” as Christianity. They assume they can be “good” people apart from Jesus Christ. Scripture disagrees: “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Christians talk and conduct themselves as if they are still lost and going to Hell. They are not. Nevertheless, they claim, “I cannot help but sin; the Devil made me do it!” They suppose that they are still the slaves to sin. The Bible disagrees: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Romans 6:22).

Unless Christians have grace edification, they do not know how to behave. Why? They have no idea what to believe. Why? They do not know how to understand and enjoy the Holy Bible. They, using religion, thus pretend to live the Christian life: when they fail, the critics gleefully wail, “Hypocrite!” However, friend, if God’s wisdom from His rightly divided Word fills your spirit and heart, you will be no hypocrite, and you will be “without offence [violation].” It will really be Christ Jesus living in you! You will be “filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ!”

Sanctimonious!

Monday, March 12, 2018

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be free from sanctimoniousness.

Christians engage in wishful thinking when talking about being “sinless.” Earnestly trying to control their sin, they place themselves (or allow a denomination to put them) under a sin-management system. For example, they have been programmed to exclaim, “Keep the 10 Commandments!” Why, how many do they obey? Fewer than those they hang around our necks? When the Law system fails—and we know it does fail because “the Law… [is] weak through our [sinful] flesh” (Romans 8:3), “weak and beggarly” (Galatians 4:9)—what do they do? They attempt to cover it up with more works, further disappointing and winding up more condemned. No, brethren, we do not need rules and regulations to live right: the Law commands us to please God always, but gives us no capacity whatsoever to do it. Rather than the laws of God, we need the grace of God!

Today’s Scripture outlines how grace living operates. When we came to faith in Christ Jesus as our personal Saviour, God saw us crucified and resurrected with Christ (Romans chapter 6). “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (verse 11). This is the “renewed mind” of Romans 12:1-2, Colossians 3:8-17, and today’s Scripture—“put off” (sin) and “put on” (righteousness). Positionally it is factual, but it must be applied daily by faith if it is to be practically true (daily living fits the identity). We still have a sin nature, but we do not have to sin.

God wisely arranged it this way (Grace not Law) so we could never have a “goody-goody” attitude, glorying in our “fair shew in the flesh” (Galatians 6:12,13). Brethren, we have nothing about which to brag. We are not making ourselves holy (religion); we are simply behaving like the people God already made us in Christ! This is not simulated holiness; this is “true holiness.” It is all God’s doing, not ours!

Spiritual!

Sunday, March 11, 2018

“If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be spiritual!

What does it mean to be “spiritual?” If you asked 100 people, you would get 100 different answers. We need not wonder as to the correct response. God’s Spirit, the Author of today’s Scripture, led the Apostle Paul to identify the standard for true spirituality in this the Dispensation of Grace. Rather than conditioned upon giving, praying, hand raising, performing miracles, singing, dancing, and speaking in tongues, spirituality is all about whether we listen to God’s spokesman to us Gentiles. “Spiritual” means that the Holy Spirit is leading you. The Holy Ghost wants you to know that His apostle of us Gentiles is Paul (Romans 11:13; cf. Acts 26:14-18). Do you believe that… or not (1 Corinthians 14:38)?

If someone is a “prophet”—speaking on God’s behalf—then he will acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking in and through the Apostle Paul. If someone is “spiritual”—controlled by God’s Spirit—then he will acknowledge that Paul is God’s spokesman to us in the Dispensation of Grace. Ephesians 3:1-5: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;….”

First Corinthians 3:1-3 speaks of three categories of Christians. Firstly, there are the numerous “babes,” those who can handle only Bible basics, spiritual milk instead of solid food (remember Hebrews 5:11-14?). Secondly, we have the countless “carnal” Christians, those constantly driven by the flesh’s sinful desires. Lastly, there are the “spiritual” believers, the few who are able to delve into deep Bible truths. Beloved, are we interested in doing God’s will? Do we want to be “spiritual?” Then, we had better believe today’s Scripture!

Skilled!

Saturday, March 10, 2018

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be skilled in God’s Word.

When God placed Adam on the Earth, He wanted mankind to become experts in His Word. Never to be outdone, Satan began peddling his counterfeit teachings for us to study instead (Genesis 3:1-14).

Instead of Israel reaching spiritual maturity—not only recognizing her Messiah (Jesus) but also sharing Him with the world—her people demanded His crucifixion! For 1,500 years, they had had the Law of Moses to identify their sin problem. Alas, they had watered it down with manmade doctrines (Mark 7:1-13, for example): God’s religion had become the Jews’ religion (Galatians 1:13)! Had they left the Law pure, it would have pointed them to Jesus Christ (sinners need a Saviour—Romans 3:19,20). Alas, they became captives to self-righteousness (Satan’s lie program; John 8:44 and Romans 10:1-3). Therefore, they could not recognize Jesus as Saviour (John 5:39-47).

Had Israel received Jesus as Messiah, they would have become His kingdom of priests, teaching His Word to all nations (Exodus 19:5,6; Isaiah 2:1-4; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:6; Zechariah 8:20-23). However, they could instruct no one, for they themselves first needed to learn the basics of God’s Word. Today’s Scripture scolds them: “You are too spiritually emaciated and immature!”

The Book of Hebrews, written to Jews beyond our Dispensation of Grace, will reorient them to the pure Word of God. It will bring them to spiritual perfection, where the unpolluted Law would have brought them (read Hebrews 5:11–6:3—the context of today’s Scripture). The Church the Body of Christ, finding itself in a similar situation today, should take heed and learn pure Bible doctrine too!