Spiritual Nuggets

For 07-26-2009

176. The early Christians viewed the written word of God (the Scriptures) as the very words of God and inspired by the Holy Spirit:

Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. (Rom 3:2)

Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus (Acts 1:16)

The early Christians exalted Scripture to the highest spiritual degree. It was their final authority with no equal, including the audible voice of God Himself! Peter wrote, we have a more sure word (referring to the written word) than God’s audible voice:

We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Pet 1:18,19)

The early Christians also taught and drew their teachings from Scripture ALONE:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)

If a person thinks they need to go outside the Scriptures for Christian doctrine, he shows himself something other than a man of God.

177. One of the many ways Paul was opposed by the devil was with slander—a twisting of his teaching to discredit him and his ministry:

Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved. (Rom 3:8)

On more than one occasion, religious people for various reasons, have slandered others! Paul went through the same battle with slander and lies. NOTE: condemnation is for the slanderers and liars, among others.

178. Some wrongly trust (and relax) in their past righteous accomplishments for God. If a once obedient person afterwards turns to evil he will still die spiritually regardless what he did in the past for God:

Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, “The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.” If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done. (Ezek 33:12,13)

Among other truths we can glean from that passage is: Do NOT relax and rest in your past accomplishments for God. Those past acts of obedience will not negate the deadly consequences of sin for a righteous man if he turns to such in the future.

179. From that same passage in Ezek. 33:12,13 we also observe that even if a righteous man would be told by God that he will surely live (with no stated condition/s with it) and afterwards he turns and does evil, that same person will still die spiritually for that evil. (Also, his past righteous acts will be forgotten, similar to a wicked man turning from wickedness to God and his past sins being forgotten.)

180. Part of the reason why unbelievers scoff and even blaspheme God is because of hypocrisy and immorality among those who preach/teach:

You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Rom 2:21-24)

Another negative effect produced by hypocrisy and immorality among those who preach/teach is:

And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen something horrible: They commit adultery and live a lie. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness.... (Jer 23:14)

This shows why the spiritual qualifications to be in leadership are both soundness in doctrine (including an ability to refute those who oppose sound doctrine) and godly character. To ignore either will do more harm in the end than good.

Spiritual leaders were never correctly chosen because they were rich, influential, successful business men, political leaders and/or had musical talents, as is often done in congregations today. One’s heart has to be pure and his doctrine in accord to the Scriptures. Mere religious zeal and a desire to teach doesn’t qualify one to such a position either.

Furthermore, to place a new convert in the position of spiritual leadership can cause him to lose his salvation through pride:

He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. (1 Tim 3:6)

Hence, the strict guidelines in Titus 1 and 1 Tim. 3 for spiritual leaders must be carefully followed or lethal spiritual harm will follow. Because these criterion have been grossly violated in our day, the spiritual problems have vastly increased.

Finally, the one providing a platform for a false teacher will share in the harm that his teaching does even though he does not actually speak out the words:

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. (2 John 10,11)

To all Christians, this verse applies:

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Tim 2:19)