“avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge
… some have strayed concerning the faith.” (1 Tim 6:20-21)
The Word makes it clear that we all know in part and prophesy in part, we look into the riddle through a dim mirror (1 Cor 13:9 & 12). This means that no one is in possession of the
full truth, and that all of us are actually deceived to some extent. At least there is some measure of solace to be found in what Job (12:16b) writes – “The deceived and the deceiver are His”. We do have hope for a time when even the fool will not go astray (Isa 35:8). But until then Job 4:17-19 comforts us –“Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If He puts no trust in His servants, if He charges His angels with error, how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before a moth?” This requires of us to always be teachable, submissive one to the other, and to live our lives with the fear of God” (Eph 5:21).
Therefore it is not just arrogant but downright wrong to, like the Reformed Churches, profess that the doctrines of faith are the “complete doctrine of salvation”. To some extent we all stray from the “sound doctrine” (1 Tim 1:10), because we are not acquainted with the Scriptures and with the power of God (Mark 12:24). But there are four instances (1 Cor 6:10; 15:33; Gal 6:7; James 1:16) where believers are explicitly warned against straying from the truth. We do not have the full truth, and thus we stray, but this does not mean that we are on a false track. One can still get back to the truth if you have strayed, but if you find yourself on a false track the consequences are dire. It is of such a false track that the Angel of the Lord (= Christ in the Old Testament) says to Balaam – “Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me.” (Num 22:32). Even in Rev 2:14 the church is accused because they “hold the doctrine of Balaam”. A false track constitutes a walk of faith that may result in the loss of your salvation. Most of these tracks are false because they are not founded on the notion of Christ as the only means to salvation. The only doctrine of salvation is what 2 John 1:9 terms “the doctrine of Christ”.
We know that the Mormons, Jehovah’s witnesses, the Unificiation Church, the Church of Scientology (Christian Scientists), and the Old and New Apostles are all examples of faith systems that are ultimately false tracks, which could bring about the loss of your salvation. The Roman Catholic Church is also quite problematic, since Mother Mary is presented as saviour, and purgatory and prayers to patron saints and angels cannot possibly bring about salvation.
Perhaps the spiritual principle one should remember is to avoid false tracks at any cost, and to pray for those you believe are caught up in them.
- Sela: Which of your foundations have been founded on the doctrines of faith systems that might embody false tracks?
- Read: 1 Kings 4; Prov 31; 1 Tim 1
- Memorise: 1 Tim 1:15
For a deeper understanding: For general information: http://atheism.about.com/od/christiandenominations/ Christian_Denominations_Sects_Groups_Movements_Denominations.htm
