God loves a cheerful giver by Roy Davison

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/give.html

God loves a cheerful giver

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Revised Standard Version has "not reluctantly or under compulsion."
In the church of Christ each one is to give as he purposes in his own heart and there is to be no compulsion.
I once attended a Pentecostal tent meeting in Canada where buckets were passed around several times to collect money. For a half an hour the preacher pled with the people to give more and more. He drove a Cadillac.
I once visited a mass in West Flanders where the priest went up and down each row of chairs, holding out the collection basket and looking each person straight in the eye. When he came to me, I said: "No, thank you."
Worldly churches often use unscriptural methods of obtaining money. When I was a boy there was a building near our home that we called 'The Bingo Church'. The only sign was a large billboard with the words: 'Bingo Every Thursday Night!' Some denominations sell lottery tickets, have rummage sales and use all kinds of gimmicks to raise money.
Some misuse religion for material gain. Paul warned Timothy about such people, "men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself" (1 Timothy 6:5).
Giving is an important aspect of being a Christian, and an opportunity to give is provided on the Lord's day (1 Corinthians 16:2). But in the church of Christ we may not pressurize people to give or use worldly devices to obtain money. Christians give as they have purposed in their own heart and as the Lord has prospered them.
Church leaders have no right to tell people how much to give or to request pledges. How much someone gives is between him and God. Nor should we ask for funds from non-Christians. We should make it clear that visitors are not expected to contribute.
Paul wrote to Philemon: "But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary" (Philemon 14).
God wants us to give willingly out of love. When the tabernacle was built, "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 'Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering' " (Exodus 25:1,2).


We give cheerfully because God has given so much to us.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Jesus "gave Himself for our sins" (Galatians 1:4). "Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us" (Ephesians 5:2). God is a giver and He wants us to be like Him.
God wants us to give liberally.
When Paul explains how each member of the body is to function, he says "he who gives, with liberality" (Romans 12:8).
"He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).
We are to be generous even to our enemies: "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you" (Proverbs 25:21,22).
God wants us to give ourselves to Him.
Even though they were poor, the churches of Macedonia gave liberally because they had first given themselves to God: "Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we had hoped, but first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God" (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
God wants us to give according to our ability.
Jesus told His followers, "give alms of such things as you have" (Luke 11:41).
God never asks us to give more than we can. "Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Him and said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood' " (Mark 12:41-44).
We are not really giving if we just give what is left over. Our giving should be planned. We are to give as we have purposed in our heart.
The story is told of a little girl who was given two euro, one to buy candy and one to put in the collection plate. As she skipped along the street she dropped one of the coins and it rolled into the storm drain. As she peered through the grate she said: "Whoops! There went the Lord's euro!"
We are to share with others.
When the people asked John the Baptist, "What shall we do then?" he replied, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise" (Luke 3:10,11).
"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life" (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
God will bless us if we are generous.
"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6:38). If we use a teaspoon to measure out our giving, God will use a teaspoon to measure out our blessings. If we use a dump-truck to give, God will use a dump-truck to bless us spiritually.
Paul explained to the Corinthians that God would provide for their needs if they were generous to others: "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: 'He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever.' Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God" (2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
He explains that their liberal sharing brings glory to God: "For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men" (2 Corinthians 9:12,13). The churches of Galatia were told: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10).
God wants us to work so we can give.
Paul had set an example in this for the Christians at Ephesus: "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " (Acts 20:34,35).
In his letter to this same church, he wrote: "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Ephesians 4:28).
God wants us to lay up treasure in heaven.
Jesus said: "Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:33,34).
God wants us to give personally and through the church.
Our good deeds are to be done discreetly. Jesus said: "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly" (Matthew 6:3,4).
Christians are instructed to give on the first day of the week as they have been prospered. Paul told the Christians at Corinth: "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come" (1 Corinthians 16:1,2).
Gifts can also be given at other times to meet special needs. We read about the church at Jerusalem: "Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need" (Acts 4:34,35).
How are we to give?
"Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
No compulsion is to be used in the church of Christ.
God wants us to give willingly through love. We give cheerfully because God has given us so much.
God wants us to give liberally, according to our ability, but first of all He wants us to give ourselves to Him.
God will bless us if we share what we have with others.
God wants us to work so we can give and lay up treasure in heaven. We give both personally and through the church.
Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

NOBODY’S A ‘NOBODY’ by Jim McGuiggan

https://jimmcguiggan.wordpress.com/2018/02/

NOBODY’S A ‘NOBODY’

George MacDonald’s character, Curdie, came to the king’s house because the princess had told him to report to her there. At the door he met the officious housekeeper (who seemed to swell and fill the door) who rebuked him for his comings and goings and the fact that he (as she saw it) made a mess of things while he was there. “Don’t you know this is my house?” she barked. Curdie politely replied that he didn’t know that because he thought it was the king’s house. She responded, he responded, she called him insolent and oozing pride she asked the poor ignoramus, “Don’t you see by my dress that I am in the king’s service?” Curdie, a young mine worker, wanted to know, “And am I not one of his miners?”

“Ah, that goes for nothing,” she snapped. “I am one of his household. You are an out-of-doors laborer. You are a nobody. You carry a pickaxe. I carry the keys at my waist. See!”
But Curdie checkmated her with, “But you must not call one ‘a nobody’ to whom the king has spoken.”
This is a hard lesson for us to learn. You understand that it isn’t that we’re all to function in the same place of authority with the same responsibilities. There are those that have been given authority over us and though often we don’t like that, there’s no community living without accepting the truth of it. Still, it’s a hard lesson to learn because we tend to be prideful (do we not?) and if we’ve haven’t been given the most sought after job, the one that attracts the attention and gets the big money, we’re inclined to whimper (and other things) a lot. Well, why not? We should be treated with respect and when we are stuck in a lower level position our “personhood” is scorned and many of us won’t stand for that, will we.  (Is that not true—or am I mistaken?)
The sad thing is that some of us get the place we think we deserve and it doesn’t make us better. Like the officious housekeeper we balloon up and fill the doorways of life and are only content when we think we’ve surpassed the other “peasants” way below us. In that spirit it doesn’t matter to us, for example, that others would be better as rich people than we would be if we were made rich. It only matters that we are or get to be wealthy or prominent or acclaimed.
Apparently Curdie had no trouble with any of that. He had a pure heart and was perfectly content to be the king’s miner. He didn’t need to have the keys to buildings hanging at his belt, didn’t need to minister to vast congregations, nor did he need to drive a big fancy car or be the belle of anyone’s ball. He was more than at peace within himself. He rejoiced in the dignity of being one that the king had spoken to and needed nothing more.
(Sigh. What a lovely way that is. It makes me want to be a better man and while I can’t confess that I’m troubled much with jealousy, perhaps there’s more of it in me than I occasionally think there is. Of course I’m well aware that I’m greatly troubled with other things.)
You see the confrontation between Curdie and the housekeeper illustrated in reverse in Number 16 where the rebels weren’t as wise or as pure in heart as Curdie.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram attacked Moses and Aaron because those two exercised authority over the assembly at large and restricted the priesthood to Aaron’s family. The rebels said that these two took too much on themselves because all the people of God are holy and they wanted to exercise the priesthood (16:1-4, 10). Moses reminded them that this was God’srestriction but he goes on to remind these Levites that God had spoken to them and given them their own ministry (16:10). And that was where the problem was rooted. The leading rebels didn’t think their ministry was glorious enough—they wanted more. They thought they were being cheated, you see. They thought that having the priesthood keys at their belt would give them the dignity and recognition they deserved. Had they believed what Curdie knew, that no one to whom the King has spoken is “a nobody;” they would not have despised the privileged place God had already given to them. Though Curdie was a miner with a pickaxe in his hand he knew full well and with joyful contentment that he was one of the king’s servants and in this knowledge he glorified his ministry.

You understand it wasn’t simply that Korah and company were despising their position, they were exalting themselves (compare Romans 12:3-8) and thought they were being robbed. And they weren’t opposing Moses alone; they were opposing God (Numbers 16:11)!
It wasn’t a question about what God wanted. It was all about what these Levites wanted! It wasn’t an information problem; it was a heart problem. “I deserve and want more!”
Poor souls. They talked as though they were suffering like the colonies in their most awful moments suffered when France and Spain and Portugal and Britain were at their plundering worst. They talked as though they were African-Americans that were humiliated and robbed all those years under the worst face of White dominance in the USA or they were Irish during the centuries when England plundered and bullied them. Doesn’t it make you want to throw up sometimes when people (ourselves included?) blessed to the skies whine on and on about wanting more? Those, like Korah, Dathan and Abiram who take the lead in furthering a heart problem among the people of God have something to answer for as the entire Numbers 16 chapter shows.
I can easily imagine someone saying: “It occurs to me that this is a great chapter to use to defend the status quo. It’s a good chapter to use to keep people ‘in their place’.” Hmmm. That’d be another heart problem, wouldn’t it?].

The Church of Christ-Built Upon the Standards of God’s Word

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/04/page/6/

The Church of Christ-Built Upon the Standards of God’s Word

You know you are in the wrong church come Sunday morning: When the beliefs of the church you attend, mirror the beliefs of the secular world; When you can’t find the name, and doctrine in the New Testament; And it’s worship is without God’s full approbation. The Church Christ built has His name, His doctrine, and worships His way. The church of Christ, built upon the standards of God’s Word.

Rom 16:16; Eph 1:22,23; Col 1:18; Eph 4:5; 2 Jn 9; Jn 14:6; Jn 4:23,24

Becoming a Temple and a Priest by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=735

Becoming a Temple and a Priest

I Peter 2:4-10  Becoming a Temple and a Priest

I believe that one of the greatest buildings ever built was the Temple of Solomon which was built about 2000 years ago. In the past I had an opportunity to teach a class of teenagers in the Saratoga Church. Rather than just lecturing them, I gave them a hands on project where I had them erect a scaled down model of Solomon’s Temple. For every cubit in length and width we scaled it down to a centimeter. We duplicated the Tempe and it furnishing as best as we could using Styrofoam, clay, gold foil and even some doll house parts purchased from A.C. Moore. It was an amazing project which they took a lot of pride in constructing. And after they completed the building I had them look up the NT symbolism of those OT objects and present a short lesson to the adults.

Even today it’s hard to comprehend the magnificence of that temple. With all its fame you would think that it was huge structure but in all reality it was not. The Temple itself was only about 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and about 45 feet high. But when you read about its construction you can’t help but wonder about how magnificent it was. We read that it took more than a 154,000 men seven and half years to build. Most of those men were those who cut each stone perfectly to size in the quarry and then transported them to Jerusalem. But there were also many craftsmen, carpenters, metal smiths and artisans that decorated the structure ornately with gold, silver, bronze, cedar, & more.

I did a little figuring to come up with labor costs for just the stone workers. If you used today’s minimum wage as a reference, (this is not including the skilled artisans) labor cost would be close to 2 billion dollars. But that is a drop in the bucket when you consider how much gold and silver was used to decorate this structure. The Bible tells us that they used about 120 million oz. of Gold and about 1.2 billion oz. of silver. By today’s standards we are talking about $226 billion worth of gold and silver not including all the other precious metals and jewels used in this Temple’s construction.

Only the best was used in building God’s Temple. And after the priest brought the Ark of the Covenant into the Most Holy place, God’s presence, the Shakinah Glory of God came down and set above the Mercy seat in the Holy of Holies.  (2 Chron. 5:13-14)

Then Solomon offered up a prayer of dedication on behalf of the Jewish nation. He also offered up so many animal sacrifices the altar was not big enough to accommodate all of them so a temporary altar area had to be prepared in front of the Temple for the burnt offering.

The Bible says that Solomon offered up 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats as fellowship offerings that day and it must have blew their minds when the Lord sent fire down from heaven and consumed those offerings. Then the Glory of God filled the Temple and no one could go inside it.

This was probably the pinnacle, or highest point in all Judaism’s history. The people celebrated and marveled at not only Solomon and the Temple, and Glory of God that consuming those Sacrifices, they also probably felt a patriotism to their nation and their religion like never before.

The priesthood dated back to the time of Moses when God instructed Moses to consecrate his brother Aaron as the first High Priest and his sons to be the first regular priests to serve the people at the Tabernacle. (Exodus 28)

As exciting and glorious as all that was back then, those things; the Temple, the furnishings in the Temple, the Sacrifices, the High Priest and the regular priesthood, they were all shadows of things and people that would come later.

And today we will see that Peter talks about theses very things in his first letter to the early Christians in 1 Peter 2.

Now if you remember from previous lessons that Peter was writing to Christians who needed encouragement because life had become very difficult for them.  What makes Peter’s letter so practical and helpful is the fact that his words are encouraging for all Christians, including us today. As you know each generation has its own problems, trials, and hardships.  I know that some of you today are frustrated, discourages, and just plain tired of dealing with this life and the problems that come along with it.

In light of that listen to what the Apostle Peter wrote in his letter. Read 2:4-10 “

4 As you come to him, the living Stone —rejected by men but chosen by God   and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built   into a spiritual house   to be a holy priesthood,   offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion,     a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected     has become the capstone,” 8 and,

“A stone that causes men to stumble     and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

9 But you are a chosen people,   a royal priesthood,   a holy nation,   a people belonging to God,   that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God;  once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

There’s a story about a king of Sparta in ancient Greece who boasted to a visiting monarch about the mighty walls of Sparta. But the guest looked around and didn’t see any walls, and finally he said to his host, “I’d like to see those walls. Show them to me!” The Spartan ruler pointed with great satisfaction to some disciplined and well-trained troops, part of Sparta’s mighty army, and exclaimed, “There they are! Those are the walls of Sparta!”

Just as each Spartan soldier was viewed by the king as a brick in his mighty wall, so we are viewed by God as “living stones.. the very building blocks that make up His new Temple  We are God’s true temple, not built with quarried stones and cedar like Solomon’s Temple.  Rather that was a shadow of what God had planned all along. A temple not made with the hands of men but by God Himself.

God now resides in and among His people. And together Peter tells us that we can and should bring more Glory to His name than Solomon’s Temple ever did.

And not only that, as Christians we have become God’s new holy priesthood. Not cleansed and made pure by the blood of animals like those early Jewish Priests, rather cleansed by the blood of Jesus, God’s one and only Son.

Solomon’s Temple, and that Jewish Priesthood of old were only a shadow of what was meant to be. We are now the foreordained Temple that God really wanted. And I believe this is more precious and precious to God than all the gold, silver and jewels of Solomon’s time. Jesus is ultimate High Priest as well as the only perfect sacrifice for our sin.  We are now members of God’s Holy Priesthood. And Peter said in verse 5 & 9 that we are a holy Priesthood that is meant to offer up spiritual sacrifices and verse 9 says that we “.. are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

The NLT put it this way, “You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.”

You and I are now priests of God. Back in the Old  Testament, a priest was a very special person.
– They were  not only to serve as “go-betweens” for men and God, they also had a the responsibility to evangelize the world of their time.
–  They led in worship and taught from the Scriptures
–  They wore special robes that distinguished them from other worshippers
–  Only they could handle the holy things of God (incense, sacrifices, the    furniture of the tabernacle – anything related to worship)
– They had a distinctive initiation before entering their office
– They had to be anointed as marks of their office (ex. 29)
–  And not just everyone could become a Priest – you had to born of the tribe of Levi

AND now, Peter tells us that we are a “holy priesthood”  in vs. 5, and part of a “royal priesthood” in vs. 9.  (If you are a Christian you are a Priest!)

The Apostle John also wrote in Revelation: Jesus “… has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father…” (Revelation 1:6)

So, how have we become like the Old Testament priests?

– We have been born of the line of Jesus – The True and Perfect High priest.
– And we were set apart for priestly service when we were saved. Just like the Priests of old we were washed with water and anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2)

– And just like those priests we have put on a new garment. Galatians 3:27 tells us “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

And now because we are priests of God, we have a right to handle the holy things of God.
We have the privilege of coming before God in prayer
We have the right to baptize others into Christ
We have the responsibility of knowing and teaching the Word of God
AND we have no need for anyone other than Jesus to intercede for us before God

What about theses spiritual sacrifices that we are to offer up? What is He talking about there?  Here are FOUR SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES mentioned in Scripture:
#1. We should offer up our Bodies as a living Sacrifice. Romans 12:1 says,.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.” 
• Will you use your body for doing what is right, or what is wrong?
• Its about making daily choices – will I use my hand to hit and hurt someone, or to heal and help?

#2.  In Hebrews 13:15 it says to OFFER SACRIFICES OF PRAISE:
“Through Jesus,  therefore,  let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15).

#3 & #4. And here’s two more in Hebrews 13:16; it says. 16″ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”                                                                                  

• Doing Good and Sharing with others are also seen as  the kind of sacrifices that please God.

Whether you realize it or not, in God eyes you are very special, you hold a very high and privileged position in His kingdom.  Peter wrote those word long ago to encourage those Christian who were struggling and probably down, who needed encouragement.

Closing: Maybe it was a hard week for you. Maybe you feel tired, or depressed, lonely, or just feel like giving up like I would imaging those people did back then when Peter wrote to them.

Over and over Peter reminds us today how precious we in God’s sight. Earlier in his letter he told us that we have a Heavenly Father who is watching over us and because of His great love He has shown us mercy and grace by sending His son Jesus.

He has also given us a new birth into a eternal life set aside for us in heaven. And here in our reading today he tells us how He views us and reminds us of our position and role in His sight; and that is you are part of God’s Holy Temple and you are a priesthood made pure by the blood His Son Jesus

I would like to close with the following reading: Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

Studying Error? by Trevor Bowen

http://insearchoftruth.org/articles/studying_error.html

Studying Error?

MISNOMER AND OVERREACTION

Occasionally, after a teacher or speaker has conducted a thorough investigation and rebuttal of a false doctrine, a few may wonder, “Why should we spend time studying error?” “Why not just study truth?” This is a fair question that deserves an answer, which is the goal of this article.

First, although surely unintended, it should be noted that there is a misleading element, a misnomer — maybe even a straw man and a false dilemma in this question. Generally, people do not advocate “just studying error”. Whenever gospel preachers and Bible class teachers publicly refute error, they study truth to answer error. Consequently, the above question may represent more of an imagined straw man than concrete reality.

Second, people do not alternatively “just study truth” despite their claims to the contrary. Inevitably, they will eventually offer some correction, explain some misunderstanding, or challenge an opposing thought, even if only to protest “studying error”.

Third, is there no middle ground? Can not a false teaching be presented for the express purpose of combating it? Furthermore, can we not alternate examination of error with other spiritual needs and Bible topics? Obviously, it is unfair and self-contradictory to present only these two extreme options: “study error or study truth”. Therefore, a middle ground should be sought. The optimal position of such a middle ground may move closer to one extreme or the other at various times, depending on the needs of the students as identified by those responsible for the teaching, but it nonetheless exists.

Ultimately, this question represents an issue of priority, emphasis, and judgment. Responsibilities vary, but each one must decide how much time to invest into answering error for one’s self and for those under his care, even if the threat is not evident to most. Since this issue is in reality a question of degrees, let us dispense with unclear and misleading terms of extremes and false dilemmas.

LIKE JESUS AND THE APOSTLES

As we have studied previously (Can We Understand the Bible?, “Do All Things According to the Pattern”, “Do All in the Name of the Lord”, An Introduction to Bible Silence, and Do Silence of Scriptures Prohibit or Permit?), the ultimate source in understanding how to study and teach the Scriptures are the Scriptures themselves! Should we not use the Scriptures as those inspired used them?

A brief survey of the New Testament Scriptures reveal that combating error and correcting misunderstandings was an ever-present occupation of inspired writers. Outside of the the little epistle to Philemon, virtually every New Testament book prominently confronts or exemplifies confronting error! For example, New Testament writers and Jesus frequently directly quoted and answered prevalent error and incorrect thought:

“For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to those of old ... But I say to you ... (Matthew 5:20-22; see also, 5:27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, 43-44)

“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? (Matthew 23:16-19)

And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. ... (Acts 15:1-2)

And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come?” — as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. (Romans 3:8)

Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Corinthians 1:12-13)

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? (I Corinthians 15:12)

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; ... Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (I John 1:6-10)

Beyond confronting imminent threats, they also anticipated and answered in advance the arguments of error, false teachers, and the obstinate:

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ... And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ... Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, ... and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? ... (Romans 2:1-3, 17-21)

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? (Romans 3:5-6)

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? (Romans 6:1-2)

What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7)

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! ... You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” (Romans 9:14, 19-20)

For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. ... You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. (Romans 11:13-14, 19-20)

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe-- and tremble! (James 2:18-19)

They also cited the false teachers’ own internal accepted sources as evidence of inconsistency and fallacy:

“... for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. (Acts 17:28-29)

One of them, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, (Titus 1:12-13)

On some occasions, these exemplary writers called out influential false teachers by name:

“Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.” And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him. In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” (Luke 11:52-12:1)

... by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. (I Timothy 1:18-20)

And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. (II Timothy 2:17-18)

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. (II Timothy 4:14-15)

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. (III John 1:9-10)

Finally, they frequently warned brethren to beware false teachers and avoid extending fellowship to them and their corruptive influence:

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! ... For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame — who set their mind on earthly things. (Philippians 3:1-19)

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer ... (II Timothy 2:14-17)

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. ... as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (II Peter 2:1-3:18)

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. (II John 1:9-11)

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. ... These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; ...These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (Jude 1:3-23)

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. ... this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ... Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (Revelation 2:2-6, 20)

Many more examples could be provided, but these should be sufficient to prove that inspired teachers never “just studied truth”, while ignoring error that was rampaging around them or dismissing preparations for threats anticipated. Instead, Jesus and His inspired apostles and prophets frequently referenced, exposed, and corrected false doctrine. Therefore, if by divine example or inspiration, they understood, addressed, and corrected dangerous errors of their day, should we not do the same in our day?

DANGER OF TOO LITTLE

There is an understandable aversion toward wrapping one’s mind around a foreign concept, especially when our initial instinct is to immediately disregard what is different. Dedication is required to understand another’s beliefs, sift it, and prepare a response (I Thessalonians 5:21-22; I Peter 3:15). However, such commitment is essential, since the Scriptures are replete with warnings against the real danger of false teachers and doctrine:

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:17-18)

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. ... For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (II Corinthians 11:2-15)

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 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. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:14-16)

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. (Colossians 2:4)

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. ...Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. (II Thessalonians 2:9-15)

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; ... But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. (II Timothy 3:6-13)

Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. (Hebrews 13:9)

False teachers and their teaching are deceptive, misleading, subtle, cunning, and scheming! They come as “ministers of righteousness” and as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (II Corinthians 11:13-15; Matthew 7:15). They skillfully mix truth with error and compliments with presumption. Furthermore, we are too easily deceived through flattery, lusts, ignorance, and prejudice. Often we think we understand very well, but because we have not been tested, we may be easily cast down. (Like the Corinthians, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”, I Corinthians 10:12. Also consider the example of Peter in Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble”.) Like those “Spot the Differences” puzzles in the newspaper, we may think we know truth through an almost exclusive study of it only to awaken to the sudden realization that we are unprepared to recognize a distinction. Even worse, in our simplicity and naivety, we may never awake. We may be unknowingly carried away with the error of the wicked through too little preparation (II Peter 3:16-17).

DANGER OF TOO LATE

Furthermore, false doctrine does not float on the wind. It is carried by a proponent, who can lobby for its sympathy. Regrettably, people may develop an early prejudice in favor of error, because of a false teacher’s charm. Therefore, it is important to address false doctrine before it becomes entrenched through socialization, emotional familiarity, and institutional dependencies. Why would we assist error’s agenda by offering it the element of surprise by allowing it to find a host in our own company before confronting it? For example, consider this wisdom advocated by one, who too late recognized the failure of many to denounce false teaching before it was embedded:

“The fact that no church is to assume the oversight of more work than it can support seems crystal clear to me now as I look back. My hindsight is clearer than my foresight! I am in no position to boast, because I was not among the wise ones who saw the danger in the sponsoring church idea at first. I was not among those who preached before this plan of centralization was introduced in the latter part of the forties. We failed to do that which should have been done very effectively in those earlier days. We failed to discover and teach the simple, local government for the church as God ordained. Enough teaching before and during the war could have immunized the church against the complicated plans men set up as substitutes for God's pattern. We had the opportunity; but, in our simple ignorance, we failed in this significant way.”

“I, and many of my brethren, soon saw that the sponsoring churches were unscriptural; but by then they were already set up and were collecting millions of dollars to do great things. As they made their big splash they grew in popularity. What could we do when we saw the error? There was not much we could do but raise our faint voices in protest, and then be crushed by the logrolling tactics of the big machines. Our opportunity to do effective teaching was before the powerful machines were set up and thrown into high gear. Several good men saw the danger before I did, and they tried to awaken the brethren, but even they were too late. They were given such names as antis, fanatics, the lunatic fringe, mossbacks, etc. They could not preach to those who did not want to hear them, because they closed their eyes, stopped their ears, and hardened their hearts. The followers of the promoters of the big machines would not endure the sound doctrine of these good men who tried to point out the unscripturalness of these central agencies. A remnant did awaken to the danger, but the larger mass of people turned back toward denominationalism by opening the door to apostasy. The sponsoring church was the first step in a long march down the path of digression. The floodgate was opened, and none could close it. It has not been closed, and it will not be closed in time to bring safety to the great mass of people who have rushed headlong after these promoters. Many are now disillusioned by the present absurdities of these rich and powerful congregations; but they are still in the crowd that followed the promoters, and are going from one new error to another.” (Preaching In A Changing World, Irven Lee, 1975, p. 43-44)

In every given area, there is some set of false doctrines that are more popular and widely held than others. If we love our Lord and those whom He loved, then why would we not want to prepare ourselves in advance to answer their questions to strengthen our evangelistic outreach? If we are aware of doctrines that are prevalent in our area, then why would we not try to inoculate those around us? If we spend too little time preparing ourselves and others to answer error, it may be too late by the time we begin in earnest.

DANGER OF TOO MUCH

In almost every matter, there is a danger of moving toward extremes. This matter is no exception. Devoting too little in preparation may lead to weak, vulnerable, arrogant, and lethargic Christians; however, there is also danger in devoting too much time to examining error! Please consider the following possible pitfalls:

• Although much of the New Testament writings are focused on recognizing and answering false doctrine, a significant portion is spent on other aspects of Christianity, like growth of personal character, refining inner attitudes, maintaining moral purity, and such like. As Paul was only held guiltless by declaring “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26-27), so must we spend time studying and teaching God’s Word upon every matter. Ignoring any aspect of God’s Word leaves us susceptible to the enemy (Ephesians 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8-9); therefore, no part must be overlooked.
• Just as teachers develop among mature, experienced Christians (Hebrews 5:12-14), and just as stronger, more spiritual Christians help those who are weak (Galatians 6:1), so we also must take great care not to expect too much, too soon of young, inexperienced, or struggling Christians. Requiring too much effort in combating false teaching may discourage those whose responsibilities are already overflowing because of their own needs.
• Although one may benefit from the “sharpening” effect (Proverbs 27:17) of interacting with those of opposing views, it is ill advised to spend the bulk of one’s time reading opposing views. We are impressionable, and although we should be open to questioning and self-examination, too much exposure to any one side of a matter - especially the wrong side - will inevitably soften our stand against error, if not convert us unto it (I Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 18:17)! Even worse, some have deliberately turned to false teachers as experts, hoping to learn from them in matters that are central to their error! Like those long ago, they “have changed their Glory for what does not profit” and “have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:11-13, see also: II Peter 2:15-22; Jude 12-13).
• There is a diminishing level of return associated with answering any error. Once the strongest, fundamental, and common points of a false doctrine are countered, there is little need in examining the lesser points (Ecclesiastes 10:10). At some point, one’s time is better spent examining other topics, once the wisdom of men has been exposed on a given topic. New questions may trickle into view and merit further consideration, but provided the original effort was zealously undertaken, follow-up efforts should not consume nearly as much time.

Some amount of judgment must be exercised to determine how much time must be spent examining error. Just because dangers exist toward one extreme, we should not ignore the dangers of the other.

CONCLUSION

For those who are busy with the Lord’s work of teaching the lost, there is no need to explain the value of examining and answering error. Such people are busy persuading others, wrestling with difficult questions, errors, and misunderstandings of Scripture; therefore, they greatly value and relish the insight of those who have already crossed such waters. Others, who may be struggling with a brother “drifting away” or a sister nursing a “root of bitterness” (Hebrews 2:1-3; 10:23-39; 12:12-17), do not require motivation to take time to prepare answers for false doctrine. They are living it! They appreciate the help! How can we minimize the need for such teaching without directly undermining the effectiveness of evangelism, jeopardizing teetering saints, and exposing our shame?

Even if it is wearisome to investigate errors foreseen, the inspired text demonstrates an ongoing mission to examine, confront, and answer threatening false doctrines. Even errors that were only anticipated were still cut off by teaching in advance. This preparation is needed, because false teachers are extremely deceptive, and it takes time to disseminate truth, dismantle error, and steady unlearned and unstable minds. As the old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Let us not fall into the seduction that we are prepared, if we have invested little time into answering the arguments of error. In contrast, let us not become so enamored with false teachers that we invest too much time answering them — or even worse, expect to directly learn from them! May God bless with wise elders and evangelists, who have the knowledge to grow in knowledge and to adequately prepare those whom they serve for God’s work of evangelism, teaching, and restoration.

Author: Trevor Bowen