TUESDAY February 18, 2025

A Sincere Faith

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
1 Timothy 1:5-7

As different doctrines crept into the church, problems began to start. From within the church, not from outside the church, men made a declaration of erroneous doctrines which caused division. They were not preaching the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sounding very convincing, false teachers used deceptive methods to teach a different gospel. Some believers were willfully accepting error. They became deceived by fables––stories––or genealogies that raised questions.

False teachers caused confusion in the minds and hearts of the people. They did not mind believers placing their trust and faith in Jesus Christ, so long as they included the necessary blood sacrifices of animals for their sin. These teachers were insincere. What were they really saying? According to them, the blood of Jesus Christ was not enough to take away sin, when the Scriptures clearly state: ...He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26).

As a young minister, Timothy, called to be the pastor of the church of Ephesus, could not allow such error to be taught in the church. He needed to make sure Christian doctrine was taught correctly. Paul charged him to protect the church against any heresy––to speak the Word of God in truth. The Gospel was to be preached out of love with a pure heart and from a sincere faith. Timothy embodied this as a true believer.

Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses may knock on your door with a different gospel. They say they are Christians, but add to the Bible with their books and magazines. Do not be deceived by their doctrines. They will destroy your faith in Christ. I have found that it is impossible to become deceived by false teachers if you remain rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Do you make time to study the Word of God for yourself? Daily study God’s Word; it will keep you from error.

Our business is to study the Word of God and preach it as we find it.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!