August 7, 2023 CONTRARY TO THE TEACHING
Romans 16:17-19 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Jesus Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”
Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Jude 1:3b “I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
We live in a day when it is admirable to promote the idea that everyone should live according to their own opinions and dictates and believe whatever seems right to them; it is unpopular to espouse absolutes. This is true in Christians circles as well. If you tune into the tv ‘evangelist’ and if you were to attend different churches, and if you were to read ‘Christian’ books, you would be amazed at the contrary messages you would hear. However, Jude tells us that the ‘faith was once for all delivered to the saints.’ Paul makes it clear that there is but one gospel, one truth. This gospel we have is the gospel of God; He sent His word; there is no alternate gospel. There is no room for us to read or view the gospel according to our own preferences or our own interpretation. A major problem in our day is that many twist the gospel to say what they want it to say; after all, it is unpopular to go against the culture. There are glaring cases where some preach a message that is obviously contrary to the gospel; but we must be alert to the more subtle messages that are contrary to the gospel; some messages sound really good, but yet are in contrast to the gospel that God has given. We may not like it, but sometimes the gospel contradicts us! Sometimes we had just rather skip over certain verses. However, we must ‘contend’ for the gospel and be willing to adjust our beliefs so that they are in agreement with the word of God-even if it is uncomfortable. Peter Parris made a good point when he said “The gospel contradicts itself-but only in our minds.” The gospel was given in such a way that we must study it, wrestle with it, dig in to it, and grow in our understanding of it; at the same time, it’s message is clear to all who read it with a seeking heart. Let us be alert; there are those who are preaching and proclaiming messages contrary to the gospel and who are promoting and seeking to benefit themselves; let us ‘turn away’ from them and oppose any teaching contrary to the gospel that has been delivered to all the saints.
2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Blessings, Buddy
Romans 16:17-19 “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Jesus Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”
Galatians 1:8 “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Jude 1:3b “I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
We live in a day when it is admirable to promote the idea that everyone should live according to their own opinions and dictates and believe whatever seems right to them; it is unpopular to espouse absolutes. This is true in Christians circles as well. If you tune into the tv ‘evangelist’ and if you were to attend different churches, and if you were to read ‘Christian’ books, you would be amazed at the contrary messages you would hear. However, Jude tells us that the ‘faith was once for all delivered to the saints.’ Paul makes it clear that there is but one gospel, one truth. This gospel we have is the gospel of God; He sent His word; there is no alternate gospel. There is no room for us to read or view the gospel according to our own preferences or our own interpretation. A major problem in our day is that many twist the gospel to say what they want it to say; after all, it is unpopular to go against the culture. There are glaring cases where some preach a message that is obviously contrary to the gospel; but we must be alert to the more subtle messages that are contrary to the gospel; some messages sound really good, but yet are in contrast to the gospel that God has given. We may not like it, but sometimes the gospel contradicts us! Sometimes we had just rather skip over certain verses. However, we must ‘contend’ for the gospel and be willing to adjust our beliefs so that they are in agreement with the word of God-even if it is uncomfortable. Peter Parris made a good point when he said “The gospel contradicts itself-but only in our minds.” The gospel was given in such a way that we must study it, wrestle with it, dig in to it, and grow in our understanding of it; at the same time, it’s message is clear to all who read it with a seeking heart. Let us be alert; there are those who are preaching and proclaiming messages contrary to the gospel and who are promoting and seeking to benefit themselves; let us ‘turn away’ from them and oppose any teaching contrary to the gospel that has been delivered to all the saints.
2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Blessings, Buddy
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