July 29

“…because of false brethren unawares brought in…” Galatians 2:4

It seems that infiltration into the church by those who are bent on doing damage, is not a new thing! Paul faced such enemies constantly. They were determined to bring his ministry into disrepute, and the souls of the saints to whom he ministered, back under the bondage of the ceremonial laws of Israel. Today similar challenges exist for true believers and probably even more so. With the advent of progressively easier, private and public methods of communication, spreading of false doctrines, canvassing among the believers, and detracting from what they learn at church, has become common-place, and even accepted as normal and healthy behaviour. Paul warned the church incessantly against the philosophies and tradition of men, which were contrary to God and were being held in higher regard than God’s word. Dissention of such kind, has not only revived many old false doctrines and issues, but created all sorts of new variations. From a pastoral standpoint, it is almost impossible to address in close detail, all the fallacies and erroneous doctrines which prevail today, and often find their way to the ears and eyes of the congregation. The best possible defence is to ensure that true doctrine is taught from the pulpit, and that the saints are well versed with why they believe what they do. They must be equipped with a working knowledge of the Scriptures to defend their minds and hearts from all such attacks. The onslaught presenting all kinds of perverse views, and waged against God’s people, will take place anytime and anywhere. The workplace, school, the shops, the media or even general conversation, can often be a battleground where the truth of God’s word is under attack and as a result, so are those who believe it.

Learning to contend for the truth is the task and responsibility of every believer. We can never stop learning and growing in the truth of God, and should develop a deep love and sense of responsibility for it. Like Paul we will then be more ready and prepared to engage those who oppose, and stand fast against the infiltration of false doctrine in the community of the believers.

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Mar 22

“That ye may be mindful of the words…the commandment…” 2 Peter 3:2

Peter exhorts the saints of God to have the words of prophets of old and the whole tenor of the commandment, that is, the doctrine of Christ present in their minds. Why is this so important that it merits the apostle’s pressing encouragements to hold such things in memory? Peter was warning of the increase of false prophets and the subtle way by which they would find their way into the church and among the believers. One of the sure safeguards against false teaching, is to have present in mind the true counsel of God, His Word and commandment. This allows the believer to perform a comparison between the truth he knows and the doctrine he may hear. Without such plumbline or standard to compare against, the Christian, though sincere, may easily become prey to those who intend to do damage to the cause of Christ, or do so by pandering their fleshly ideas and practices. Being mindful of the truth of God is therefore a safety against such individuals, but also helps us to line up with God’s principles, any thoughts, words and actions we are about to initiate or participate in. Keeping ourselves pure and aligned with the Lord is a primary necessity of our Christian walk. We can easily test our readiness of mind and heart, in any one situation we often land in, by asking ourselves questions like: “What does God say about this?” “How should I feel, think or act in this situation?” If answers to these questions and others like them, are not present in our minds, then how ‘mindful’ are we of the directives and commands of God? We need to keep our heads in the Book, and the Book in our hearts! We cannot become and remain mindful of the Lord’s principles and teachings, if we have not taken time to read, study and digest His word and appropriate the concepts for ourselves. The Lord has provided us, with all we need to survive the attacks of the devil and his agents, and conqueror all error and falsehood, by the truth of His word! How many have fallen to false doctrine, influences of ungodly, fleshly professors of the faith, or their own doings and mistakes, simply because they did not heed, this simple yet profound directive – be mindful!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Feb 2

 “And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words” Nehemiah 5:6

It may be counterintuitive to think of a godly person, a servant of God as being angry. There however such thing as righteous anger; the expression of displeasure or outrage at wrong doing and sin. Nehemiah was indignant and righteously angry when the people forsook the ways of God. They were not dealing with their brethren according to God’s principles and did not show the fear of God in their lives. His ‘anger’ was not expressed to bring them down or destroy them, but to edify them and help them return to the righteousness of God. His motivation therefore, was love. The believer cannot but experience and give place to righteous indignation at the wrong doing and unrighteousness of some who profess to be followers of Christ, but act like they know nothing of Him! In our modern day particularly, such liberality has been espoused by some so-called Christians, that it is difficult to tell them apart from unregenerate sinners who hate God. In a warped effort of being ‘relevant’ in our contemporary culture, many who attend churches and say they are Christians, also adopt the foul language of the world, the sinful sexual practices, the lose lifestyle, the sensual and immodest mode of dress and the worldview which supports rebellion and rejection of God and His principles. Yet somehow all this is justified even by their leaders, as acceptable and even desirable behaviour. Is it possible for light and darkness to dwell together? Or as James put it – can sweet and bitter water flow from the same fountain? In an astonishing case of spiritual blindness, such individuals cannot seem to discern the differences that should be evident between Christians and non-believers. Many of them simply state the warped dogma that it doesn’t matter how they behave or if they sin - Christ’s love simply covers it. It is true that Jesus forgives us, but He is also looking for a genuine repentant heart, one who not only admits the sin, but is willing to abandon it and turn from it. To the woman caught in adultery Jesus showed mercy, but also commanded her to go and sin no more! Some ‘believers’ misguided by false teaching, take this grace to mean they can just continue to sin and please their own flesh, showing no regard to God. By their actions they despise His commands, and yet merely because they claim to believe in Him, and say they ‘love’ Him, they also believe that God allows and accepts what they do! Paul in Romans 6:1-2 says ‘GOD FORBID! - Surely not! We who have been delivered from the ways of sin should not merrily continue in sin and then just claim God’s grace will cover it and abound over it - this is not God’s will. It is not hard to imagine then, that those who as true Christians, love God and obey His Word could be vexed, outraged and indignant at the damage these pretenders do to the cause of Christ. Their injury extends to those who do not yet believe, and also among those in Christ who are younger, and may follow their wayward example. In fact it would be wrong if there was no incensed response to such bent and twisted beliefs, from true Disciples of Christ. Nevertheless, in all our ‘righteous anger’, we need to be extremely careful and honest, to first look at our own selves. To first be ‘angry’ at our own shortcomings; to genuinely evaluate our own lives and values, measuring them against the Word of God. Yes, it necessary that we defend truth with passion and vigour, but we are instructed by Jesus, that before we try to help our brother with whatever may encumber their spiritual vision, we ought to first clear our own eyes of any foreign matter. This noble exercise will not only better equip us to help others, but also to do so in a more excellent spirit, in an attitude of genuine love – even if it has to be it some rather tough love !

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion