Apr 11

2 Timothy 2:16-21
Memorise Titus 2:14
“…a peculiar people,zealous of good works.”

A practitioner of martial arts knows that the entire posturing of one’s body has to be correct in order to be an effective exponent of this discipline. For example, the stance is important as it gives the person balance and stability. The forward knee must always be bent to prevent the risk of dislocation from an unexpected strike by the enemy. Fisted hands are positioned strategically to shield the face and upper abdomen while allowing the option of executing a swift counterpunch. Every part of the practitioner’s body is in harmony so that he can be agile and lethal.

Likewise, interpreting God’s Word involves wielding a spiritual weapon. Practitioners of the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God must have their entire spiritual positioning correct. This is where biblical separation comes in, otherwise we would be spiritually off-balanced. For example, we would sound hollow if we tried explaining to an unbeliever who asks if the Gospel is true, while denying that the Bible is inerrant and perfectly preserved. He would undoubtedly think that we have interpreted God’s Word wrongly (which is indeed the case here) as he cannot reasonably be sure that the Gospel is not one of the “few minor errors” in the Bible. Furthermore, if we do not separate ourselves from false teachings and false teachers (like Hymenaeus and Philetus in today’s passage), we will become influenced by them. 2 Timothy 2:21 instructs us to purge ourselves from these so that we will become vessels unto honor, fit for the Master’s use.

Have we at some time had conversations with other Christians who have wrong beliefs and yet we have not been courageous or loving enough to correct them? Even worse, have we even, for the sake of maintaining good relations, agreed with them or participated in prayer and worship with them just to be “diplomatic”? God’s Word makes no allowance for this. Indeed, the Word (Jesus) Himself said that He will deny us on the last day if we deny Him, for He gave us the truth and expects us to uphold it even if it means severing ties with others (Matthew 10:33-34).

Thought: It is very inconsistent to claim to know God’s Word but yet not practise Biblical Separation.
Prayer: Strengthen me, O Lord, that I may proclaim Your truths fearlessly and without compromise to an unbelieving world.