FULFILLING WITH THE TRUTH
Read
2 Timothy 2:4-19
The Apostle Paul in this letter to Timothy is telling us that as Christians we are, we have a well-founded faith, and that we must depart from all iniquity, having to avoid certain doctrines and practices.
But..?. How will we know if the doctrine is good? Or how will we know if the practice is good? Well, to adequately answer these questions, there is only one truth, the knowledge of the word of God.
At present, in many parts of the world, the Old Testament is preached, confusing the understanding of the Christian, which is closed for various reasons, thus making the brothers easy to manipulate. And the main issue is the lack of interest on the part of Christians, who do not scrutinize the word, do not read the word, they simply take what the pastor says as true and believe and defend it as if it were the only truth, not they go to the scriptures to verify what was said in the cult and that is the main cause why the brothers are deceived. There are many more but the text would be too long, so it only mentions the main one.
These false doctrines and practices have spread within congregations just like gangrene.
Rotting corruption of living tissue, caused by lack of blood, if the affected tissue or member is not removed, the disease spreads to other parts of the body and destroys even the bones.
In the time of the Apostle Paul, there were brothers who for various reasons were already deceiving the people with false doctrines or practices, and today the same thing happens.
For example: Some taking (Matthew 5:32; 19:9) say that adultery is not literal adultery, (PHYSICAL) but they say that adultery in marriage (The most sacred sacrament for man) when divorcing and becoming to get married they say that if the culprits repent of that previous adultery, they can remarry and live with another couple. A huge fallacy.
Despite what is happening today, in the Bible we can find a good example provided by the Apostle Paul (1 Timothy 1:3) in which Paul leaves Timothy a charge in this passage Paul refers to Himeneo and Alejandro .
If we see (1 Timothy 1:20) we can appreciate that the Apostle Paul mentions that these two men are teaching a different doctrine than the one Jesus left. For example, that the resurrection of the dead has already taken place, based on which it could be understood that these two were under the influence of the Gnostics.
Historical data:
Gnosticism is a set of ancient religious ideas and systems that originated in the first century among ancient Jewish and Christian sects.
They maintained that matter is bad, therefore the body is bad, and therefore it will not rise again, but they also fear that they speak of spiritual resurrection (Romans 6:3; 4; Colossians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2 :1-3) because of their lack of faith, they rejected the faith of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:13-17) they maintained that if there was no resurrection, why suffer for Christ?
Just like us Timothy had to keep what was entrusted to us (1 Timothy 4:6; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 1:13-14) however God's foundation is firm and even today there are similar problems in modern churches, with issues that lead many away from the faith, there false teachers and false doctrines, even great brothers and preachers have knowingly discarded the faith and good doctrine and have been shipwrecked in Regarding the true faith in Jesus, and as if that were not enough, they have led many to the same ruin, remember "If we deny him, he will also deny us" but "if we were unfaithful, he will remain faithful" _cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b- 136bad5cf58d_because "he cannot deny himself".
God is faithful to himself, to his promises and to those who trust in him. We must always remember that the church is the pillar and support of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15) was built on the rock that is Christ
(1 Corinthians 3:11) and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:20) "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone."
Therefore, brothers, if we persevere in the doctrine of Christ and the apostles (Acts 2:42) we will be approved by God (Daniel 2:44-45; Hebrews 12:28).
Christ knows those who are his, that is why it is essential that we distance ourselves from the iniquities of this world ruled by the enemy.
Everyone who calls on the name of God cannot be iniquitous, without purity there is no security (Hebrews 12:14), the Lord knows and approves those who are his (John 10:28) it is true that there are false elements in the churches , but there are also true elements, one thing is very sure, when the time comes, Jesus will tell us
(Matthew 7:23) depart from iniquity, everyone who calls on the name of Christ requires purity. Because if there is no purity there is no security (Titus 2:11-14).
We continually invoke his name by obeying the gospel and confess Christ as the son of God by being baptized for the forgiveness of sins, we submit to him as head of the church and bear his name (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16) let us remember what Moses told Korah and all his entourage. Tomorrow the Lord will show who is his and who is holy and will make him come near to him, whom he chooses, he will come to him (Numbers 16:5) (Isaiah 52:11) "Depart, separate yourselves, get out of here, touch no unclean thing, get out of the midst of it, purify yourselves, you who carry the utensils of the Lord.”
Therefore, brothers, to close this first part, remember what Paul tells us
(1 Corinthians 6:11) What shall we do, continue in the darkness or turn away from it? Let us remember that we are the temple of the living God.
We Reflect and Respond
1. Why do some people like to argue about words and spread their ideas around? Do you ever fight about words? Have you talked about it with another disciple?
2. How can you train to be an approved worker?
3. Have you recently been involved in any useless or harmful debates about the word of God or the church? How can profane verbiage be avoided?
Read:
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (Paul's commission)
Development:
Again the Apostle Paul points out to us the same task that I entrust to Timothy, that if we transfer it to our times this task is for us.
Hold on and preach the gospel of Christ, fight those who oppose with fables and deceit, be firm in these things. However, it reminds us that the holy spirit is the one who has chosen us for service and therefore we must take courage and have the strength to fight the good fight.
Let's remember what happened with Himeneo and Alejandro who, as Paul says, have been shipwrecked in terms of faith, I have even shown him resigned in as much and as for the two of them, does that mean that Paul has delivered satan to them? So much so and all the hope that the two of them learn not to blaspheme. How can we observe Paul's mandate to Timothy that challenge to regain courage so that we continue to fight the good fight instead of them.
I reflect and respond:
1. How can you fight the good fight?
2. How can a disciple be "shipwrecked" in his faith?
3. Remember Hymenaeus (2 Timothy 2:17) and Alexander (2 Timothy 4:14)? What is the result of people who have strayed from the faith? How do they try to harm others?
Read:
1 Timothy 4:15-16
Development.
How could we have been watching? In almost all the verses that we have worked on, the one above being another one, we can see that the Apostle Paul usually mentions two things that people usually ignore or usually overlook when reading.
Dedicate yourself and take care of it From the Greek meaning to take care of, attend to, practice. In other words, what Paul continually says in his letters and what is revealed here today in this class number 11 is Dedicate yourself and take care of the things of the Lord, attend to heaven's business and God will attend to yours.
In other words: "Be diligent"; “Ponder on these things”; "Practice these things"; "Take care of this"; "Dedicate yourself to these things"; "Put interest in these things"; "Pay your full attention."
Now if the person has some care in the practices and obligations, he will have to meditate on them, that is why it is important in my consideration, "Meditate on these things" or "reflect on these things" what Paul tells us through this letter It is that we must stop being so immersed in serving the work of God and rethink that it is more convenient for us to serve the God of the work, be diligent and astute in this.
I reflect and respond
1. Are you paying attention, each day, to your life (as a disciple) and to your doctrine (understanding the Bible)?
2. Has anyone noticed changes in you?
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