May 13, 2007

Very Real Threat

Read 1 Timothy Chapter 4

"Watch your life and doctrine closely.

Persevere in them, because if you do,

you will save both yourself and your hearers." vs. 16

Let's face it, not all of us are young Timothys. Not all of us will ride all over the known world planting and establishing churches, serving as an overseer and advisor to brand new converts. When reading a letter like 1st Timothy, we are sometimes strained to find how this passage finds its way in our lives. But I believe if we listen closely to what the Spirit has to say, this text can transcend Timothy's particular calling and engage our lives in an extremely relevant manner, even today.

One of the most profound threats to the church throughout the ages, and especially when it was first born, was false and deceptive teachings. Many would parade throughout the land pretending to be apostles and teachers. However, their message was opposed to the grace and hope evidenced in the life of Christ Jesus. Some would teach that the resurrection of the dead had already occured. Some would give license to immorality. Some were unduly legalistic. Some would attempt to convince new converts that in order to be Christian, they first had to become Jews. Still others would teach ridiculous tales, genealogies, and myths for the sole purpose of lining their pockets with the wealth of others. Unless dealt with, these teachings could lead the church astray and cause such skepticism that even true teaching would be doubted.

The context of this letter is not unlike the world we live today. Listen carefully to the landscape of Christian teaching and you are bound to hear competing and varying interpretations of the Christian faith. I have not time to get into all of the various teachings that miss the mark. But I would say that Timothy's letter becomes of significant importance to us at this point. Timothy, not unlike us, was encouraged by his mentor to avoid teaching that would lead him down paths of unrighteouness. To do so requires a desire to learn what is appropriate in the Christian faith. We gather on Sunday mornings (or Saturday Nights in our case) to hear the proclamation of a Word that helps us envision the faith correctly. But we are also told in the scriptures to "test everything." We are called to wait upon the Spirit of God, to place what we have heard against the Scriptures and the Orthodox teaching of the church for two thousand years. We are called to protect what is right so that people are not led astray by teaching that makes life about "us" and not God.

But how do we know? How do we know if what we are hearing is right or wrong? This isn't always easy but I will give you a few very simple points to end on...1.) Watch the life of the one teaching and preaching. Does his/her life reflect the grace-filled existence found only in Christ? Does his/her life manifest the fruit of the Spirit? 2.) Is the teaching you are hearing about "us" or God? True Christian teaching always points us toward the One in whom all power, honor, and glory is found. True Christian teaching makes God's glory the centerpiece of our lives. We exist to Love God with all our heart and in turn give away our lives as He has for others. 3.) Is the teaching supported by Scripture? What I mean is not do they pull out little verses to serve their interests, but does the teaching take into account the whole landscape of the Scriptural story? Do they understand the context of what they saying and apply it responsibly to the here and now. And finally (although there is still much to be said...) 4.) Does the teaching witness the evidence of God's miraculous Spirit. I am not talking about bells and whistles emotionalism--many prey on emotions. I am talking about the redemptive, restorative, life altering power of the Spirit. Are people changed--not by the one teaching--not through convincing arguments and fine sounding ideas; but are they changed by God's miraculous power through the proclamation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected.

"Watch your doctrine and life closely."