Scripture Twisting

Occasionally when reading the words of Christ we come across some jarring statements. For instance, in Revelation 2:6 Jesus says to the church in Ephesus, “You hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.” Sentences like that should slow us down to consider the powerful concern motivating such strong language. Think of it, “hatred” in this case was praised as godly when directed toward the behavior of a group of false teachers making the rounds in Asia Minor. These Nicolaitans had already made inroads in the church of Pergamum just 75 miles away. Like Balaam of the Old Testament, the Nicolaitans, under the banner of “Christianity”, were persuading God’s people throughout the region that mirroring the culture’s values and indulgent practices was no big deal (Revelation 2:14-15). You can almost hear them, “It’s no big compromise.” “God is forgiving.” “He understands.” “We don’t live under the law.” “Don’t get so uptight about holiness and righteous living.” “Don’t be such a legalist.” As Jude had previously warned, this kind of distortion is insidious – and regrettably it’s been effective. “For certain people have crept in unnoticed… ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality” (Jude 4). Of course, we are called to be civil and gracious, but when it comes to this kind of Scripture twisting we need to remember that Christ hates it and so should we.

For more sermons and devotionals on Scripture Twisting, please go to the Focal Point Ministries website at www.focalpointministries.org. 

Holiness

The concern for most Christians isn’t “How far from sin can I get?” but rather, “How close is okay?” Anyone who is thoughtful about obedience and wants to distance himself from temptation and sinful behavior is sure to incite the charge of being “a misguided legalist” – as if the accuser knows what biblical legalism is. He usually doesn’t. But it sounds like a good “put-you-in-your-place” Christian comeback. And often it works. The one pursuing holiness is embarrassed, while the libertines feel empowered to continue to banner their form of “grace” as an excuse for their compromise and their love of the world and the things of the world. Compare the familiar license of “do what you want, cause you’re forgiven” with this charge of one New Testament Christian to another: “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus… to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ… who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:13-15). Unlike today’s attempts at “counsel”, this kind of “charge” doesn’t result in a casual and careless approach to sanctification. The goal is clearly not “as much fun as possible” but instead, “Let us reverentially pursue as much holiness as possible!”