“Can it get any clearer?”

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Consider these words that Paul spoke to Timothy, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron., forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (I Tim. 4:1-3).  

Notice how Paul warned Timothy of those who would command people to abstain from eating certain foods. They even have those who teach in their organization that they must remain celibate. Do we not see that those are the very things that Timothy was told concerning those who have fallen away?

Oh it can’t be a religious organization that is large and has many followers that Paul was talking about. Well, the truth is, the apostle said it was going to happen. The Catholic church didn’t even come into existence for close to 600 years after those words were penned to Timothy. Keep in mind, there are other groups that have been guilty of forbidding foods and marriage since then.

The point is, the scriptures will never be outdated. Something that was right or wrong for the church in the first century is the same today. If we know of anyone or any group that fits any of the descriptions in our text, you can be confident that they are not following the Lord. It matters not how long a religious organization has practiced something. If it is in violation of God’s word it is WRONG!

I think it is vital that pointing out error never gives anyone the right to be arrogant and self-righteous. The main reason one points out error is to help (Mk. 16:15; Jas. 5:19-20). It also helps keep the church pure since it is to remain unspotted from the world (II Cor. 11:2; I Tim. 3:15). Even though individuals want to create a grey area so as to muddy the waters. Right and wrong are clearly seen for those who have their eyes open.

                                                                                             Chuck 

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