Leaving Beyond – Grounded In Scripture

Written by: April J. Buchanan

Can we remain apathetic toward false teaching and false teachers? What effect does the truth have upon the church? Are we apathetic about being trained by error, or are we intentional about being trained in the truth?

(1 Timothy) False teachers had come into the church of Ephesus. Paul left Timothy at Ephesus to deal with these problems. Some of the most beautiful instruction, providing profound contrast, is seen in this letter. This contrast, not as to be compared with other Scriptures, is present internally throughout the letter itself.

One enters the letter understanding that Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus for the purpose of bringing order by means of the truth to a church that had allowed false teachers to come in, just as Paul had previously warned them would happen.

If we read this letter honestly, we cannot escape the reality that the Word of God rightly taught and rightly lived is the answer to disorder and a light against every false doctrine. It exposes doctrinal error and it exposes practical error, bringing order both in teaching and in living.

Many approach Scripture seeking to make practical changes to their lives so that they may live what they consider a good life. Yet they care little for true godly living, which can only come by means of the truth rightly taught, rightly believed, worked in the heart, and therefore producing godliness.

We are not changed by adopting outward forms of religion, but by the truth dwelling in the heart and mind and by being trained by it.

I find myself meditating on the words of Paul to Timothy where he says, “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15). I am reminded also of the words in Luke 13:24: “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

We enter not by our own righteousness but by the righteousness of Christ. Confuse not the intent here. Justification and progressive sanctification must be clearly distinguished and firmly held in mind. When this distinction is understood, the pursuit of sanctification becomes all the more beautiful as we strive to enter and as we understand the danger of false teaching to the soul, to our sanctification, to our training in godliness, and to our faithfulness to God.

In every way the truth must not be minimized or set alongside what is false. One corrupts while the other purifies.

Paul sent Timothy to expose error, to proclaim the truth, to be trained by it himself, and to demonstrate it both in teaching and in practice. The truth unifies, purifies, sanctifies, and builds up according to God’s power at work in those who are His.

False teachers cannot be allowed to continue their work among God’s people. They must be exposed. Their doctrine must be exposed.

When God sends a man into a church, He does so with the truth, and it will have a powerful sanctifying effect. The truth produces order, unity, holiness, and godliness, and men must be trained by it, those in the pulpit and those in the pew.

If we are not discerning, we are probably already deceived or soon will be. We cannot carry within us the truth and be made alive by the Spirit and yet remain indifferent when that which is contrary to the Spirit of God and to His Word is present among much of what is called the church today.

Neither can we live contrary to the Spirit and the truth and have no real conviction that causes us to repent of our own sinfulness, sloth, and apathy toward disorder, false teaching, and false practices in the church. Nor we can remain apathetic toward our own sinfulness. The truth exposes it all.

When the truth is set plainly before us, we reveal ourselves either enemies of it or those humbled by it and willing to be trained by it.

The truth divides. Yet the truth also produces order, unity, and godliness among those who are truly children of God.

Enemies of the truth cling to their false doctrines and false teachers. They reject the truth and all that it produces. They have what they desire. They send away those who warn them by means of the truth. They will have no part in it.

Is my life trained by the truth? Do I love it?

How beautiful the words of this letter are to the heart of those who love the truth. How dissatisfying these same words are to those who desire not to be governed by God’s Word but instead desire new teachings and their own personal words. Such men love false teachers who promise new things.

One cannot read this letter (1 Timothy) honestly and fail to see the beauty of what God’s Word produces and how it is resisted by ungodly men.

The truth produces order, unity, and godliness.