Devotional
The Church
Withstand/Overcome Adversity
Remain Steadfast in the "Church"
aka: The Christ
Division and Beware of False Teaching
As some unbelievers who wish to mock the church addressing believers as hypocrites, this is nothing new with a "few" who wish to cause division and rivalry (as referred to as in the book of Corinthians).
There two types of Christians: 1) who lives with God's unfailing Spirit and 2) who simply lives by his own agenda; enmity, division and immorality. This must not keep you from worship and fellowship in the unity in Christ; it is important to always remain in God's spirit for direction, protection.
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Romans 16:17 - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 16:18 - For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Acts 20:30 - Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Acts 20:29 - For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
1 Corinthians 11:18 - For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
2 Timothy 4:1 - I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Timothy 4:3 - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2 Timothy 4:5 - But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. .
Remain Steadfast in Christ
The bible says, even to the most faithful, may question God's teaching with a healthy sense of learning about His divinity, worship, promise and purpose may addressed with a heart of understanding.
However it is not good to build adversity of God's teaching; to contradict, His purpose, worship, promise - in order to support our own opinion or motive.
The antidote to such false teaching is to know the real truth, and we do this by going to God's Word. We are called to pursue education and practice knowledge so we can learn and know more about God, live for His glory, and help one another.
Because of the deity and supremacy of Christ as God and Lord, all that we do in our Christian lives and leadership is to be about glorifying Him (Col. 1:15-20; Rev. 1:5-6). Our time should be spent on what is important; the prime factor is that our past, present, and future belong to Christ alone (Isa. 60:19-20).
1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ys steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the word of hte Lord, foreasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Romans 5:1-21 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
2 Thessalonians 3:14 - And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Hebrews 12:6 - For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
2 Timothy 1:6 - Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 - For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Philippians 2:12 - Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:
1 Corinthians 12:26 - And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 5:5 - To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:18 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
Romans 10:17 - So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
