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 heart and mind in 1 Timothy 4:1-3,
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth."
Here is a fascinating and sobering concern voiced by Paul two thousand years ago. It is an observation of "later times", times I would associate with our day. I certainly do not know when the end of this age will fall, but clearly, these days are "later times" relative to when Paul penned these words.
Paul's tells us that the Holy Spirit warned of deceiving spirits and demons in our day. These malevolent spirits will advance "teachings" that will be followed by some who "abandon the faith." These teachings are of a religious nature, proscribing the denial of things to be enjoyed in this life such as "certain foods" or a spouse.
The objective of the religious teachings of these malevolent spirits could not be clearer: those who follow them will abandon the faith. I am quite certain that what these deceiving spirits intend to accomplish is to hinder, and if possible, destroy the gospel of faith. Why teach that a person should not marry? The false notion that faith is not the way - celibacy and asceticism is the way to earn God's favor! Why teach that a person should follow dietary laws? Faith is not enough - if you want to earn God's acceptance, denial of certain foods, as well as other enjoyable things proves you worthy!
We are all aware of religions that demand the clergy abstain from marriage and seen the abomination of what that has led to. Many of us have been exposed to religions where folks are busy earning their way into heaven (as if they could), by following dietary laws and many other restrictions. Such religions have side-tracked people from the truth and replaced God's gracious gospel of faith for a gospel of works, which is no gospel at all.
Yes, today demons and malevolent spirits are alive and active. Their agenda is to deceive as many as possible to abandon "the way and the truth and the life" for one of the many religions they have spawned. We need to stand strong against such and proclaim the gospel as given us from God, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth."
Here is a fascinating and sobering concern voiced by Paul two thousand years ago. It is an observation of "later times", times I would associate with our day. I certainly do not know when the end of this age will fall, but clearly, these days are "later times" relative to when Paul penned these words.
Paul's tells us that the Holy Spirit warned of deceiving spirits and demons in our day. These malevolent spirits will advance "teachings" that will be followed by some who "abandon the faith." These teachings are of a religious nature, proscribing the denial of things to be enjoyed in this life such as "certain foods" or a spouse.
The objective of the religious teachings of these malevolent spirits could not be clearer: those who follow them will abandon the faith. I am quite certain that what these deceiving spirits intend to accomplish is to hinder, and if possible, destroy the gospel of faith. Why teach that a person should not marry? The false notion that faith is not the way - celibacy and asceticism is the way to earn God's favor! Why teach that a person should follow dietary laws? Faith is not enough - if you want to earn God's acceptance, denial of certain foods, as well as other enjoyable things proves you worthy!
We are all aware of religions that demand the clergy abstain from marriage and seen the abomination of what that has led to. Many of us have been exposed to religions where folks are busy earning their way into heaven (as if they could), by following dietary laws and many other restrictions. Such religions have side-tracked people from the truth and replaced God's gracious gospel of faith for a gospel of works, which is no gospel at all.
Yes, today demons and malevolent spirits are alive and active. Their agenda is to deceive as many as possible to abandon "the way and the truth and the life" for one of the many religions they have spawned. We need to stand strong against such and proclaim the gospel as given us from God, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9.
As Paul says in Romans 3:28, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." We must maintain this as well.
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
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