Making All Men See

Mark Twain has been quoted as saying, "It is easier to fool people than it is to convince people that they have been fooled." I agree with him. Religiously speaking, I was one of those "fooled" people for four decades of my life. Satan's "ministers of righteousness" (II Cor. 11:13-15) working inside the church were effective in blinding me to "God's Grace Program" while feeding me a steady diet of law based performance. I began my "recovery" from Satan's trap (II Tim. 2:26) thirteen years ago when I unexpectedly came face to face with the "key to understanding the Bible" (Luke 11:52). My education and edification in God's program of grace has progressively stabilized my life just like God promised it would in Romans 16:25. May this blog be used of God to liberate the world's largest religious denomination---"ignorant brethren". (Rom. 1:13)

II Timothy Chapter 3

Vs. 1-4…The words “last day” or “last days” always have to be interpreted in light of the context in which they are spoken. The context of these verses is the last days of the dispensation of grace. These verses sound an awful lot like the verses Paul wrote in I Timothy 4. Paul appears to be repeating the same warning. However, a careful reading of the two passages shows that is not the case. I Timothy 4 is addressing the issue of apostasy in the church the body of Christ during the dispensation of grace. Here in II Tim. 3:1-7 Paul is explaining the moral conditions of the unsaved world during this same time. In I Tim. 4:1 we read that "in the latter times some shall depart from the faith” while in II Tim. 3:1 we read, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be. . . .” I Timothy 4 uses the term the "last days" which began during Paul’s own lifetime.

And just what do the Christian leaders of our day say to do about the evil of these last days? Well some of them spend a lot of time setting dates for the Rapture or Second Coming of Jesus. Others schedule revivals, write books, and conducted seminars all designed to “turn America back to God”. We would do well to acknowledge the words of Paul--- “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” We must not forget that this is the dispensation of Christ's rejection and that God in grace extends it and leaves His ambassadors here to offer to all His enemies reconciliation through the death of His rejected Son (II Cor. 5:20-21). We are ambassadors, then, on enemy territory. We should understand this, and should understand that our message will often be rejected and cause us to be the recipients of persecution.

Sad to say, many Christian leaders seek first of all, not to fulfill their mission as Christ's ambassadors in the world, but to be accepted by the community. Paul was not accepted by the community in any place where he ministered. He was in prison for proclaiming the message committed to him and as he wrote II Timothy he was awaiting execution. Let us appreciate how Epaphras prayed for the Colossian Christians---not that they might enjoy each other's fellowship, etc., but that they might "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God" (Col. 4:12)

Vs. 5…“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof'”…The world has religion, but does not know Christ. They have the form but not the reality. Now we can all be wrong about a decision we have to make in life. Even if we make a decision based on a verse of Scripture it is possible that I misinterpret the verse. So what are we to do? Live a life of faith! It is a life that is based upon the approach that says I must live my life based upon what God says. We will still make mistakes but this is what it means to live a life of faith. This is explained in I Cor. 4:3-5… But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. [4] For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. [5] Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” First, we are not to be caught up in what other people think about us; nor is it important what I think about a matter. It is crucial that we determine what God thinks about a matter.

“from such turn away”…There are many options when it comes to what are we are to do about associating with the above referenced people. Paul’s instruction is to turn away.

Vs. 6-7… For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

"Of this sort”… Paul is warning that “Spiritual leaders” with all the baggage of the world listed above will make their way into households and take captive silly women, weighed down with sins and deceived by various emotional desires. Today this occurs by means of books, TV, radio and the internet. What will save them from these religious profiteers is “the knowledge of the truth”. The emphasis here is on those false "teachers" who, instead of teaching the truth of God's Word and establishing their hearers in the faith, find nothing better to do than to counsel troubled women with their worldly wisdom.

Vs. 8-9... Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. Jannes and Jambres, evidently, were the two leaders of the "wise men," or magicians who withstood Moses and Aaron in Pharaoh's court (Ex. 7:12). God allowed them, as they sought to duplicate Aaron's miracles, to go just so far, but always they were "taken in their own craftiness," until finally He allowed them to "proceed no further." And so it will be with Satan's modern "wise men," for "their folly," too, "shall be manifest to all men."

Vs. 10-12… But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, [11] Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. [12] Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. How dramatically different is Paul’s godly life compared to the religious charlatans of his day. Paul’s life was used of God to bring salvation and blessing to many. However, the spiritual fruitfulness of Paul’s life cost him dearly…Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: (Col. 1:24). Timothy probably personally witnessed Paul's persecutions at Iconium and Lystra because in Acts 16:1-2 we learn that he was a native of Lystra. It was at Lystra that Paul was stoned. But God raised him up and he went straight back into the city where they just stoned him. (Acts 14:19)

These and many other persecutions the Apostle had been through and he reminds Timothy: "Out of them all the Lord delivered me.” He was no worse off for having gone through them. Now if Paul was interested in encouraging Timothy, one would expect him to continue by saying, "And all who suffer for the Lord will be delivered," but not so. Rather he says: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”.

The Apostle's bold stand for the message of grace had brought him persecution on every hand. As a mighty man of God he had dealt the opposition strong blows and, as must be expected he received hard blows in return.

Christianity is not merely something to enjoy; it is a message to proclaim with all the strength and wisdom and wealth God gives us, so that all may hear and that those who heed and believe may be saved and added to the Church, the Body of Christ. (Acts 19:10)

Vs. 13-14… But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
[14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
God’s people should not expect any consistent improvement in moral and spiritual conditions, but rather the opposite. Certainly verse 13 negates the teaching that Christianity will ultimately bring in the kingdom reign of Christ on this earth.

"Of whom” had Timothy learned these things? The human instrument was, of course, Paul, but surely the Apostle's intention here is to emphasize the fact that the revelation he had received from the glorified Lord, was the Word of God, for he continues:

Vs. 15…"And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Most of the world's great me and women are wise with regard to everything but what matters most---their eternal destiny. But Timothy was brought up to read and study the Holy Scriptures, which is able to make one "wise unto salvation," through faith in Christ.

Vs. 16-17…All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Paul tells Timothy that the dispensation of the grace of God would be characterized by the church the body of Christ turning its back on him (Paul), his doctrinal teaching concerning the gospel of the grace of God and the “revelation of the mystery”. At the same time, there would be a progressive increase in deception and ungodliness among unsaved people around the world. So what was Timothy to do given such a pessimistic forecast? Verses 16 & 17 give us the answer…the Scriptures are the sole and sufficient provision for the man of God in the face of blatant apostasy and ungodliness.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God”… How does the Bible define what “inspiration” means? God speaking to man…The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. [21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:20-21) God wrote a BOOK!

Now many Bible teachers and preachers tell us that these two verses assure the Christian that the Bible is inspired of God. Well, it certainly does say that but in context Paul just acknowledged to Timothy that he (Timothy) had been taught the Old Testament Scriptures by his mother and grandmother. They had depended on the Old Testament Scriptures to make him wise unto salvation. I believe Paul is assuring Timothy that what he was writing to him (Timothy) and the church the body of Christ is equally authoritative, equally inspired of God and equally profitable. In spite of the church the body of Christ’s general rejection of his (Paul’s) writings (II Cor. 13:3), Paul assures Timothy that the “Glorified Christ” (Acts 3:13) had commissioned him to write down what the Lord had progressively told him over the course of a thirty year ministry. Paul’s writings would “fill up” the Word of God to mankind. (Col. 1:25-26).

There is a second reason why Paul tells Timothy that all Scripture is inspired of God:

I Timothy 4:1… Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

II Timothy 1:9-11… Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Apparently there were those who thought the writings of Paul were “inspirational thoughts”, his autobiography, or a devotional booklet for serious minded saints.

II Timothy 1:13-14… Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [14] That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Titus 1:2-3… In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
[3] But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

“and is profitable for doctrine”…There are many who contend that this phrase is proof positive that the whole Bible is written to teach us (the church the body of Christ) doctrine. Now if we define the word “doctrine” simply as “Bible teaching”, I have no problem. However, to suggest that the entire Bible is teaching the same doctrines throughout is easily shown to be untrue. In Genesis 1:29 Adam and Eve were instructed to be vegetarians. In Genesis 9:3 God expanded man’s diet and approved of him eating meats as well as vegetables. God did a similar thing with marriage. Now we all acknowledge the importance of marriage to a nation’s stability and well being; however, God allowed only men to seek a divorce under the Mosaic Law and it could be effected by the husband simply putting his grievances with his wife in writing in her hand and sending her out of his house. The cause of action was defined as “some uncleanness” (Deuteronomy 22:21). Now we know that “some uncleanness” does not mean adultery because we read in Leviticus 20:10 that adulterers and adulteresses were to be put to death---not divorced. The phrase “some uncleanness” obviously included a wide list of causes because in Matthew 19:3 Jesus is asked if a man can put away his wife for “every cause”. Jesus responds by restricting divorce for one cause only---fornication (Matthew 19:9). These are just two of many “Bible doctrines” that God changed with the initiating of a new dispensation. II Timothy 3:16-17 should only be interpreted in light of what Paul had just told Timothy in chapter 2: 15… the Bible must be "rightly divided" to be rightly understood.

Paul presents three major themes in his letters to the assemblies in the various cities he visited on his missionary journeys---Faith, Charity (headship/Body truth) and Hope. Paul’s letters are laid out in the Bible in doctrinal not chronological order. The Holy Spirit put the letters in the order in which they are to be studied rather than according to the date they were written. For each of these three themes, Paul wrote to three different assemblies.

1. Faith. For instance, Paul presents the doctrine of faith in his letter to the Romans. So Romans has been called Paul’s handbook on faith---what we are to believe, why we need to believe it. Next we see reproof to the Corinthians. These two books lay out exhortation for wrong behavior in connection with faith doctrine. Then Paul moves on and tells us about correction (wrong thinking about faith doctrine) in the book of Galatians---Paul’s handbook on grace.

2. Charity. The next theme that Paul addresses is Charity or Body doctrine. This is presented to the saints at Ephesus. That book is followed by Philippians where inappropriate behavior was taking place in connection with body truth. Two ladies in that assembly were having problems with each other and it was affecting the rest of the group. Reproof was necessary to straighten out misconduct in connection with body truth. And finally correction is necessary in Colossians to straighten out erroneous thinking in connection with Body truth.

3. Hope. I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus and Philemon. Paul intends to give us instruction in righteousness.

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