The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in 1 Timothy 1:3-4,
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith."
Paul's charge to Timothy here was to refute the false doctrines of "certain people." Along with the false doctrines, these certain people also devoted themselves "to myths and endless genealogies." These false doctrines, myths and endless genealogies promoted "controversial speculations" and did not advance God's work.
Who were these people? What did they think they were accomplishing? How had they become deluded such that they, in turn, sought to delude others? What was their motivation, why did they throw themselves into such a task as to teach false doctrines?
Whatever the answers where to those questions then, the questions are just as valid for what we see today. Where is Timothy today? We sure could use him! We have a never-ending supply of false teachers these days. Teachers who claim for themselves the real inside-scoop into the things of God. You don't know these "deep spiritual truths", but they do. Follow them, give to their "ministries" and you can share in these deep-dark mysteries as well!
The problem with people teaching false doctrine is that they lead others astray and do not advance God's work. In their own delusion, I suspect many think they are "doing the work of the Lord", but I'm certain far more of them do it knowingly - in an effort to gain the same old fortune and fame fools always pursue.
Paul provides a key insight in this passage. He points out that God's work "is by faith." Faith always seems to be the first thing out the door with these kinds of folks. One group of false teachers promote ecstatic episodes as the real-deal from God. Why look for faith when you can act like a fruit-loop to demonstrate you are "in" with God? Another group has abandoned salvation by faith in favor of salvation by appointment from God. Faith is reduced to merely the manifestation of your appointment! You've been "chosen!" Another group insists on the fourth commandment being "kept." Maybe someday you will arrive at their level of spiritual maturity and insight when you finally arrive at the importance of law-keeping!
Of all these things, Paul reminds us that his request to Timothy to oppose these false teachers is "love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Verse 5. Of false teachers it can always be said, "They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." Verse 7. I think this is an important thing to note. We all, including myself, may be a bit too confident in what it is we think we may know. Might that confidence be misplaced, if even a bit?
I am reminded that when it comes to false teaching, look at what is being said about faith. Faith is first and foremost if we are to approach the things of God. If faith does not have its proper place in what is being taught, it can't be good teaching. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
"As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith."
Paul's charge to Timothy here was to refute the false doctrines of "certain people." Along with the false doctrines, these certain people also devoted themselves "to myths and endless genealogies." These false doctrines, myths and endless genealogies promoted "controversial speculations" and did not advance God's work.
Who were these people? What did they think they were accomplishing? How had they become deluded such that they, in turn, sought to delude others? What was their motivation, why did they throw themselves into such a task as to teach false doctrines?
Whatever the answers where to those questions then, the questions are just as valid for what we see today. Where is Timothy today? We sure could use him! We have a never-ending supply of false teachers these days. Teachers who claim for themselves the real inside-scoop into the things of God. You don't know these "deep spiritual truths", but they do. Follow them, give to their "ministries" and you can share in these deep-dark mysteries as well!
The problem with people teaching false doctrine is that they lead others astray and do not advance God's work. In their own delusion, I suspect many think they are "doing the work of the Lord", but I'm certain far more of them do it knowingly - in an effort to gain the same old fortune and fame fools always pursue.
Paul provides a key insight in this passage. He points out that God's work "is by faith." Faith always seems to be the first thing out the door with these kinds of folks. One group of false teachers promote ecstatic episodes as the real-deal from God. Why look for faith when you can act like a fruit-loop to demonstrate you are "in" with God? Another group has abandoned salvation by faith in favor of salvation by appointment from God. Faith is reduced to merely the manifestation of your appointment! You've been "chosen!" Another group insists on the fourth commandment being "kept." Maybe someday you will arrive at their level of spiritual maturity and insight when you finally arrive at the importance of law-keeping!
Of all these things, Paul reminds us that his request to Timothy to oppose these false teachers is "love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Verse 5. Of false teachers it can always be said, "They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm." Verse 7. I think this is an important thing to note. We all, including myself, may be a bit too confident in what it is we think we may know. Might that confidence be misplaced, if even a bit?
I am reminded that when it comes to false teaching, look at what is being said about faith. Faith is first and foremost if we are to approach the things of God. If faith does not have its proper place in what is being taught, it can't be good teaching. "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." Hebrews 11:6.
Perhaps there is no better medicine for false teaching than what Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Our best protection from false teachers is a thorough knowledge of the word of God. Not just little snippets here and there, but the entire counsel of the word of God from Genesis through Revelation.
May we all be spared from the false teachers! (And, may we all be spared being that false teacher!)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
May we all be spared from the false teachers! (And, may we all be spared being that false teacher!)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment