AllHoursChurch

DAngerous Doctrines

We've said much about unity here but not much about dangerous doctrines. Paul warns us of "doctrines of demons" (1Tm4:1) appearing in the "last days" and we must know what these doctrines are. We get one example from his epistle to the Galatians, where he says:

"Even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!" (Gal 1:8). Paul clarifies that this is not another Gospel in fact, but disturbing words from those who "distort" the Gospel. Specifically, we find that his concern was with those who required the gentiles to be circumcised and follow the law. As Paul saw it, such a doctrine nullified the purpose of Christ. Jesus had fulfilled the law and the prophets taking sin on Himself. The works of the Law were insufficient to accomplish salvation and grace. The gift of God was grace that is achieved by faith and not any work of man. Paul was very clear that to preach otherwise was a distortion.

In advising Timothy Paul says,

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain" (1Tm6:3-5).

Paul's focus on bad doctrine was not on the students but on the teachers. The fruit of their error was friction, strife, abuse, envy, factions and competition for gain. Arguments over doctrine always produce strife. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of this is a separation among Christians. It is almost like a Christian Tower of Babel effect where each church agrees to disagree but the people actually separate and never worship together again. Do you suppose the Lord is pleased with strife exhisting between Christians that is never resolved? At what point did the Lord say that it would be acceptible to bring our offerings to the altar when we had not reconciled with our brothers?

Never. We must first be reconciled with our brothers and then go make our offerings. And what offerings will these be? The sacrifices of praise in the love of Jesus. What doctrines then are dangerous? Those we cling to, placing them above Christian unity.

Certain essentials we can agree to. We can agree that Jesus rose from the dead, that He is our Savior and our Redeemer. We can agree that the Holy Spirit is the one who gives us life. We can agree that God the Father sent His only Son because He loved us so much. If we focus on these essentials and we do away with selfish ambition in the church, not making it a means of gain, we can be united, not by doctrine, but by the love of Jesus Christ.