Warnings

by Micky Galloway

The apostle Paul warned, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). Again, the scriptures caution, “Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). If it were impossible to fall, no such warnings would have been sounded!

If we are to stand we must cultivate a proper attitude toward God’s word. David said, “Through thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:104). This expresses a two-fold obligation: we must seek understanding of God’s word and hate that which is false. “Therefore, I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalms 104:128). The Old Testament prophet Amos said, “Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate” (Amos 5:15). The apostle Paul continually warned about “… false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (II Corinthians 11:13-15). Simply working in the capacity of elder or preacher does not necessarily ensure that one is “accurately handling the word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15 NASU). One sitting at his feet must also examine the Scriptures for himself. Read and study for yourself! The Beroeans were described as, “more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). John said, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). We must learn to love the truth and diligently seek it, lest we be allowed to “believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thessalonians 2:9-12). Yet, someone says, “I just don’t understand the Scriptures.” Paul wrote, “how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4). He then commanded, “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Yes, we can understand the Scriptures! Furthermore, we can understand them alike! They are “inspired of God” and are “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17). The Scriptures came directly from the mind of God to the Bible writers (I Corinthians 2:10-12); we must read it with reverence as the absolute standard by which we must live.

If we are to stand, our priorities must be firmly established. It is difficult to stay focused on those things that ought to be first. This is not new. Paul cautioned those in Colossae, “Seek those things which are above … Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-3; cf. I John 2:15-17). We often become very selfish and confused. Families, jobs, recreation are all important, but Jesus said, “So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:24-25). Paul could see selfishness in his generation. “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God … Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (II Timothy 3:2-5). The world preaches tolerance; that there is no right answer and everyone is rewarded for simply participating. The world seeks to destroy our desire to stand for what is right! Jesus said, “… the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). Paul described some as “… being past feeling.” These had no conscience about anything and “gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:19). That is always the inevitable end of such reasoning (READ: Romans 1:18-32).

What can we do to stand? Paul commanded, “Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore …” (Ephesians 6:13-14). Isaiah answered, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1). An angel of God told the apostles, “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (Acts 5:20). We cannot look the other way when people wallow in sin. We must sound the warning! The word of God must be used to rebuke the error and sin! Paul commanded the young evangelist, Timothy, “Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (II Timothy 4:2-4). We cannot wait until everyone agrees with us. Remember, the Lord and one person makes a majority. Peter stated, “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men …” (I Peter 2:15-16).

Sin and error abound, but please understand that God has given us all we need to rebuke sin and root out error. Warn the unruly and live lives that are pleasing and acceptable unto Him. He has given us His word. “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). His word is forever relevant to make us everything God wants us to be! Paul said, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). Let us never minimize the importance of God’s word or its relevance to our lives.