Paul gave Timothy a duty in 1 Timothy 6:20, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.”
The word “keep” has the idea of isolation; to watch; i.e. be on guard. The word “committed” has the idea of a deposit; i.e. trust. “Profane words” are empty words. The duty of Timothy is to guard that which was deposited into his trust. That is the Gospel, 2 Tim. 2:13-14, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” Paul also told Timothy to, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” The preacher then is to preach the Gospel without additions or subtraction just as it was delivered. Sometimes this will cause distress on two parties. It will cause distress on the preacher. It will also cause some distress on those that hear him. Let us notice why it will cause distress.
Galatians 2:4 “And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.” What constitutes a man to be a false teacher? How must false teaching does he have to teach in order to be a false teacher? If we were to bring in Billy Graham and asked him to preach on the subject of forgiveness, do you think he would teach the truth? If we were to bring in Jerry Falwell and asked him to speak on repentance, do you think he would teach the truth? Does that change the fact that both of these men teach false doctrine? Does that change the fact that both of these men are false teachers?
Can a man preach 99% of the Gospel and be ok with the brethren? Really can a man preach 99% of the Gospel and ok with God? Could we allow this man and teach and preach to us? I don’t think so. 99% of something pure is still not pure. Rat poison is pretty pure and how many would feed it to their children or grandchildren? If we can understand that then why not in the spiritual realm?
But what about 2 John 9-11 which reads, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed in partaker of his evil deeds.” Does this passage not teach that if I support any false teacher in any fashion that I am a partaker of all the evil that he is doing? Yes it does! I cannot support any man that teaches false doctrine even if it is only 1% false.
What if a whole congregation is supporting a teaching that is false doctrine, can I support them? 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 answers that, which says, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with and infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” Brethren I cannot support a group of people in any fashion that teaches false doctrine. Now by support I mean, I cannot give to them of my time, money, or my efforts.
Brethren we need to be very careful in what we do. Does it look like I am supporting those who teach false doctrine? I need to be very careful in that, I do not need to be supporting them. For me to do so or for you to do so is to be supporting them in their evil deeds is to be helping them in their evil deeds. No evil deed will go unpunished! If I want to go to heaven then I cannot support them and neither can you!
Love, Keith
