Lesson 561

(Lesson 561)(02-28-13) 2 Timothy 2:16-26 "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."

This lesson is one of the most illustrative of modern Christianity to be found in the New Testament. The examples Paul warns Timothy of herein are rampant among the many isms today. Paul tells Timothy to be watchful of those who would distort the gospel of Jesus Christ by trying to intermingle their own philosophies into the divine word. He, so very correctly, says those things fester and work like a cancer to destroy the truth. Paul gave examples of those who, at that time, were at work planting seeds of distortion within the Church, "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some."

It can't be said enough that in this age of instant information, Christian people should insist that no preacher, teacher, or anyone else presenting themselves as purveyors of the gospel, be allowed to get by with adding to, or taking from, the simple doctrine presented to us by Jesus Christ Himself.

Why should we insist that the gospel be pure? The answer is in Matthew 7:14, "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."~