Things New and Old: Those who oppose themselves

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Monday, December 18, 2023

Those who oppose themselves

Are you among those who oppose themselves?

December 18, 2022 ·

#oppose_themselves

Are you among those who oppose themselves?

2Tim 2
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

1. Those who oppose themselves - who are they?
- they are capable of being brought to acknowledge the truth; therefore, these are not those dead in trespasses and sins.- God's children often oppose themselves. See the foolish Galatians reverting back to ceremonial laws as the means of practical justification instead of faith in Jesus Christ! And the Hebrews Christians.
- They reject and scorn the truth delivered to them; they refuse to acknowledge the truth taught in the Scriptures.
- They have foolishly walked into the snare of the devil; they have made themselves captives of the devil by believing lies.
- What a frightening and fearful description of rejecting the word of truth!

2. Specific effort to restore such
- Often such are self-conceited and have become unteachable; they have become wise in their own eyes. In rejecting the truth, they embrace lies that are injurious to their spiritual well-being.
- Still, such foolish believers must not be given up. Specific instructions are given to the servant of the Lord to recover them.
- Don't get into strife with them.
- Be gentle unto all such who foolishly oppose themselves...
- Apt to teach... teach aptly... i.e. bring the truth of God's word to bear upon the issue. Be patient with them, for such who oppose themselves are stiffnecked and recalcitrant too... They may bite and kick back but don't give up on them easily.

Peradventure... perhaps... God will give them repentance for the acknowledgement of the truth. Peradventure only; therefore perishes any presumption; He may leave them to die in their unbelief! Be not contemptuous of His servant in teaching you.

The acknowledgement of the truth IS a PREREQUISITE for such to recover themselves from the devil's snare and escape from his captivity.

Why would a child of God harden himself against the truth of God's word? Why would one put himself in such a precarious and fearful state?

Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.