20 Sept 2014 by Lim Poh Ann-
Tolerance is often regarded as a positive trait. Sometimes we think that maturity means we must always be tolerant—even to the extent of condoning false teaching.
But that is not the stance adopted by apostles Paul, Peter and John. They made sure they took a strong stand against destructive heresies (2 Timothy 4:1-4; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1).
“The early Christians condemned false doctrine in a way that sounds almost unchristian today.” –Vance Havner
We must be careful, however, not to be overly dogmatic on relatively minor issues such as the method of baptism—whether it is by sprinkling or immersion. **
Truth is not just about morality—integrity in thought, word and action. The oft neglected aspect of truth is doctrine, to which we must hold fast.
Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22).
Contending against false doctrine (heresies) will stop believers from slipping down the path of destruction and damnation (2 Peter 2:1).
Preaching the truth, the Word of God, irrespective of the season, is of paramount importance. The flock needs to be fed the solid Word, especially when there is false teaching (heresy) that is so enticing; it tickles and soothes “itching ears”. People are naturally drawn away from truth to distorted versions of truth (lies) because the latter give them the “feel good” feeling. There is a great need not only to teach and encourage (positive) but also to correct and rebuke (negative).
The success of any minister lies not only in his ability to impact lives when he is around. He must be able to pass the baton to chosen ones so that lives continue to be impacted when he is no longer around. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Before he left the elders of the church at Ephesus to go to Jerusalem, Paul shared with them a poignant farewell message:
Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following.
And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
(Acts 20: 28-30, 32).
It is imperative for leaders to confront false teaching during these perilous end times. If they can identify with Paul the seriousness of the task they have been entrusted with—to feed the flock with solid teaching from the whole Word of God (Acts 20:27) as well as to correct and rebuke heresy (2 Timothy 4:2)—then people will not be so easily led astray from the faith.
So when does tolerance become compromise?
When we fail to teach sound doctrine and stand up for truth.
FALSE DOCTRINES IDENTIFIED
A prominent leader, Bill Johnson, teaches that Jesus operated only as a man and not God during His earthly ministry. But did Jesus set aside His divinity while He was on earth?
False grace exposed.
RELATED POSTS
What was the main thrust of Paul’s farewell message to the church at Ephesus and his last words to young Timothy?
** FOOTNOTES:
SCHISMS: DISAGREEING ON MINOR TRUTHS
“People who were agreed about the centralities of the faith dividing and separating from one another over matters that were not essential to salvation, not absolutely vital. This is always one of the dangers afflicting us as evangelicals. We can be so rigid, so over-strict, and so narrow that we become guilty of schism.”
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