Abiding in the Truth (Episode 27)

In America, we have freedom of religion.  Accordingly, we have countless religious choices. Regardless of what one’s religious beliefs are, he is almost certain to find an accommodating religion. In this episode, Evangelist Frank King addresses the importance of Christians knowing and abiding in the truth found in God’s Word.

Paul wrote to the church at Galatia because after knowing the truth, the local body failed to hold fast to the same. He expressed amazement by how quickly the church’s departure from the truth had occurred. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel,” he wrote (Galatians 1:6, KJV).

One thing that’s evident in Paul’s words to this local church is that merely knowing the truth does not safeguard you from ending up in error. Hence, the need for a personal commitment to abiding in the truth.

What did Paul advise the church to do? He writes, “But though we, or angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (verse 8).

In other words, shun everyone who comes to you preaching a message that differs from what we the apostles have preached to you. The Galatians knew the truth because Paul had given that to them. In effect, he told the church to use what he had taught them as the basis for detecting false teachings.

Paul goes as far as saying that even if an angel comes and tries to give them another gospel, let him be accursed. Under the OT law, when something was accursed, you were to avoid it like the plague. That’s what Paul was telling the people of God to do about divergent teachings. And that is excellent advice for us as well.

The Importance of Sound Doctrine

Paul’s message to the Galatians underscores how vital it is for those who preach to preach and teach sound doctrine in the church.  In 2 Tim 2:15, he writes, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workmen that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly diving the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV).

This one verse speaks volumes regarding the importance of the ministry of the Word of God. The phrase, “rightly dividing” comes from a Greek word meaning to “cut straight.”

Think about a surgeon. If you were going under the knife for a medical procedure, you want a surgeon with steady hands, one who can cut straight. That’s because during surgery, cutting a little too far to the left or to the right can be fatal. The point is that preachers and teachers must strive to communicate the gospel clearly. They must strive to get it right. Because when they don’t, they leave room for the truth to be perverted by false teachings.

The main point in this episode is that knowing the truth is not synonymous with being anchored in the truth. You can realize the latter end only through a personal commitment to abiding in the truth. The eternal consequences of failing to do so should be your greatest inspiration.