Naming Names – Is it Biblical?  (Part 3 of 3)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Todd Tomasella
Could it be that these are cloaking pride and self-preservation behind a pseudo "love"? God's pure love speaks the truth – (Eph. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />4:15).
"He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." Proverbs 12:17
Add this new sentence to the end of the 3rd paragraph – "Jesus told us He is the "truth" and the Word tells us that "God is love". (Jn. 14:6; 1 Jn. 4:8,16) These two attributes are equally a part of the divine character and an imbalance is the result of His people not acknowledging both."
Is it not personal and evil pride that is at the foundation of such thinking and inaction, cloaking itself in a false "love" that is not according to the constitution (Word, Counsel) of the One who is love?
Do we realize what is at stake here?
"For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 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 is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 7-11
In case you were still wondering if what a person believes is important to their eternal destination, wonder no more. Let these sobering words of holy Scripture grip your soul deeply:
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth (remains) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." 2 John 9
"Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." 1 John 2:24
WEAKNESS, DISOBEDIENCE & SELF-PRESERVATION MASKING ITSELF AS TOLERANCE & LOVE
Some of us act as if it is a Christian virtue to tolerate any and everything that comes down the pike – "every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14). We mask our selfish preservation and self-idolatry behind a false "love" that has no reconciliation with Bible truth.
In his book Man to Man, Richard Halverson wrote:
There are times when tolerance is not a virtue, but weakness. There is certainly no virtue in being tolerant if one holds no convictions, and it is not uncommon for the man who believes nothing, who speaks the most of tolerance, to be the most intolerant of one who really believes something. Jesus' absolute intolerance of sin and error was in no way inconsistent with His love for men, even the sinner or the liar. (p. 59)
Martin Luther said:
I was born to fight devils and factions. It is my business to remove obstructions, to cut down thorns, to fill up quagmires, and to open and make straight paths. But if I must have some failing, let me rather speak the truth with too great severity than once to act the hypocrite and conceal the truth.
When teachings that flood the church world would bring God's people into spiritual deception, are speared and exposed, God will bless (Num. 25; Judges 5:24-31).
Real valor consists not in being insensible to danger, but in being prompt to confront and disarm it. ~ Sir Walter Scott
God rewards those who vigilantly expose, when He leads them to do so. The LORD can only use us inasmuch as we have His Word in our hearts. Thank God for the modern-day Jaels (Judges 5:24). Thank God for the valiant Phinehas' of today who spear the sin of false doctrine. These are the resolute defenders of God's glory who decisively deal with corruption of His holy and pure image in the minds and hearts of His people (Num. 25).
When God's love is truly made perfect in us, we will speak His truth (Eph. 4:15).
Book: Deceivers & False Prophets Among Us Vol.I
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