Monday September 9 timely advice I saw a group interacting with others outside my train station—sharing Scriptures with anyone who would listen. A group member approached and asked me to take a survey. One question referred to (Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.) She asked, “Who do you think is the ‘bride’?” I said, “The church.” She replied, “Read the text carefully. It’s God, the Mother.” How should we respond in an age when false teaching is prevalent (there’s no teaching of God as mother in Scripture) and not all Bible teachers can be trusted? Jude gave us some timely advice. First, we’re to remember the words of the apostles who wrote down much of the Word of God in the New Testament (Jude 1:17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.). They correctly predicted that false teaching would occur. So we shouldn’t be unduly discouraged or fearful when we see false teaching creep into the church. It’s a reality. Second, we’re to grow in our understanding of God’s Word (v.20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,), for the Holy Scriptures are fully authoritative and totally sufficient. Someone said, “The safest Christian is the one who has a desire to grow in the truth of the Christian faith.” Third, Jude exhorts us to live a life of dependence on God and to live in the sphere of God’s love for us—to dwell on it, to delight in it, to draw on it, and to be cheered on by it (vv.20-21 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.). A person who is full of God’s love won’t be vulnerable to a false teacher’s sales pitch. We can respond to wrong teaching with grace and truth—reaching out with true compassion and godly wisdom (vv.22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh). Last, but not least, we can rest in the power of God, who will keep us from falling away and to present us faultless (v.24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—). These truths can help us resist what is false! —Poh Fang Chia
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 20:52:35 +0000
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