But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. 2Ti 3:9
What is Paul going on about writing to his spiritual son, Timothy? He writes about folly and things that manifest and this happening in the end times ...
What is this all about?
Shouldn't we be listening to everyone who brings a Bible message?
Proceeding from our previous message on paranoia or metanoia (here) this post continues on being either metanoia (with understanding) or being anoia (without understanding).
First things first
Before we continue we need to understand a very simple concept ...
God is Grace. Jesus is Grace.
Any other doctrine is anoia (without understanding).
This is exactly what Jesus says to his disciples in Mathew 18 in the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. The whole purpose of the message is found in verse 14: Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
This is His absolute Grace!
This is why Grace came!
This is the Love-message.
This is the Gospel!
Even to those without noia
Jesus goes on to explain what has to be done should a brother come against you in this message of His Grace, how one should go about leaving no stone untouched to persuade such a person to bring him to noia (understanding).
The apostle of Grace, Paul himself, warned his spiritual son Timothy that This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. Tim 3:1-9
Even John says so
The disciple who refers ti himself as the disciple that Jesus loved. The one with the name Yôchânân (YHVH is a Gracious giver), John in no uncertain terms confirmed in 2 John 9-10 saying 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.
And Paul warns
Concluding his message of Grace in a letter to the believers in Rome, Paul says Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Rom 16:17-18
The letter to believers in Rome is much more polite compared to Paul's letter to the Galatians where he unsympathetically spoke out against those who tried to deceive God's beloved church by bringing another gospel than that of Grace - Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:7-8
Bringing the Good News is understanding
So, when we decide to bring the Good News of God ...
let's bring the Good News of God ...
let's bring the Gospel only ...
let's desire the sincere (unmixed, pure, unadulterated) milk of the word, that we and those we minister may grow thereby 1Pe 2:2
... let's bring the pure Gospel, the Good News ...
... or let's bring none at all!