In 1 Timothy 3:15 we have the church described as “the pillar and ground of the truth.” Sad to say, with some the pillar has become pillow and they are fast asleep on the truth, and the ground has become ever shifting! Should such be characteristic of any member of the Lord’s church? If this kind of attitude and disposition does characterize any member of the Lord’s church, then there are several areas that would automatically become suspect.
The first area would be the truth itself! Obviously, to the person who has such little regard for the truth we would ask that they consider these questions:
- What is truth (John 17:17)?
- Can truth be known (John 8:32)?
- Can one understand the truth (Eph. 3:3-5; Ps 119:104)?
- Is it enough to know the truth, or must one also obey the truth (James 1:21-22).
- Must the truth be “rightly divided” (2 Tim. 2:15)?
- Can one “err from the truth” (James 5:19)?
- Does truth teach us how to live proper lives that will glorify God (Titus 2:11-14; 1 Cor. 6:19-20)?
- Will God’s Word (the truth) be the standard of judgment for all men (John 12:48-50)?
- Can we separate truth from salvation (Rom. 1:16; James 1:21; 2 Cor. 4:3)?
- Has not the church been charged with responsibility of preaching and teaching the gospel (the truth) to all men (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Tim. 2:2)?
In the asking and answering of just these few questions, certainly we recognize the importance of the Word of God as it relates to all men.
The second area of concern would be the proper concern for souls. How thankful we should be concerning the fact that God “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The apostle Paul informs us “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8), and that He would have “all men to be saved” (1 Tim 2:4). Thus, as a member of the Lord’s church, one must possess a concern for the souls of men. Sometimes, I wonder just how many could state, along with the Psalmist, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my souls” (Ps. 142:24)> Imagine the feeling of knowing that no one cared! Is that not what one is really conveying to a world that is lost when they have so little regard for God and the things of God? All of us should heed the instruction of 1 Time 4:16: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
The third area of concern would be the false teacher. It is simply amazing that there are those who are completely unaware of the false teaching that is going on around them! Since many of them have not been diligent in their efforts, they have not grown spiritually (2 Peter 1:5; 3:18; 1 Peter 2:2). Since they have not properly equipped themselves they are unaware of the dangers that are ever present, and sad to say, many are “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness” and are “deceived” (Eph 4:14). In view of the charge to “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 3), these are the ones who will generally criticize those who are preaching, teaching, and standing for the truth. Their criticisms are expressed like this: “Let’s be more positive and less negative”; “We need to be more loving”; “I don’t have any problem using any of the New Translations”; Let’s just do our job here and not worry about those who would change the church into a denomination”; “What’s really the big deal about Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, instrumental music in worship?”’ “After all, we don’t want to be known for being so uncooperative!”
Some seem never to have come across such passages as: Matthew 7:15-20; 15:1-4; Acts 20:29-30; Galatians 1:6-9; 3:1; Ephesians 5:11; Colossians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; 4:14; 1 John 4:1! It is not enough for one to simply “be aware of these passages,” but because one is aware of the ever present danger posed by the false teacher and his message, one should so prepare himself so that he is able to “reasoned with them out of the scriptures” (Acts 17:2) being ready always “to give an answer to every man” (1 Peter 3:15) as we speak “the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) knowing that we are to be “set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17).
Let us remember that they church is “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15), and that the Lord’s people are charged with “preaching the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), and for the Truth to be taught we must be set for the defense of the gospel!
Christianity is based on “Standing on the promises,” rather than “sitting on the premises”!
Love, Keith
