PROVISION FOR PROTECTION Devotion 1 of This series of devotions will confirm that the Lord has provided for the protection of His children amidst a sea of false teachings and erroneous doctrines. The provision is sure, but it requires separation from the world and a strong faith. Of course, a strong faith is not possible unless the individual is separate from the world – that is, does not love the world, and is crucified to it. -- Tomorrow:
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29)
It is possible to imagine that the church was at its most ideal state in its beginning. In fact, there is an approach to theology that assumes this to be the case. This line of reasoning imagines that if we can get back to what occurred at the beginning, we will be more free from corruption. It all sounds plausible enough – at least on the surface. And, it is not to be denied that there is an element of truth to this view.
When God created Adam and Eve, they were at their best state, to be sure. But that did not last for long. Sin entered almost immediately. Cain, although born FIRST, was not the "pattern" son. The same was true of Ishmael and Esau. Too, when the Law was given, the people embraced corruption in an unprecedented manner at the very base of Sinai – at their beginning (Ex 32:1-7). The defiling effects of Aachan's sin occurred when the people were FIRST entering Canaan (Josh 7:1-24). Israel's FIRST king, Saul, did not prove to be their best one. The transgression of Ananias and Saphirra surfaced at the THRESHOLD of church history (Acts 5:1-10). Beginning periods, while significant, are not always characterized by purity.
DURING PAUL'S MINISTRY
During the ministry of the Apostle Paul, he spoke of deplorable conditions that existed on a significant scale. "For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For ALL seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Phil 2:20-21). Another time he wrote, "At my first defense NO ONE stood with me, but ALL FORSOOK ME" (1 Tim 4:16). Once he lamented to the churches of Galatia, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth," and I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal 3:1; 4:11). Things were not ideal then – at the beginning.
THE CHURCHES IN ASIA
Who can forget the conditions of most of the seven churches of Asia, to whom the glorified Christ spoke with revealing frankness. " . . . thou hast left thy first love . . . thou art fallen . . . thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam . . . thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate . . . thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols . . . that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead . . . I will spue thee out of my mouth" (Rev 2:4,14,20; 3:1,16). These conditions occurred in the first century, when one of the chief Apostles (John) was yet alive. That reality makes our text highly relevant.
WE ARE IN A WARFARE
All of this confirms that salvation is being accomplished in an intensely competitive arena. This has been the condition from the very first. In First John, the Spirit addresses the matter of corruption, both on a personal and collective level. He warns us of the environment itself – "the world" (2:15-17). He also tells us of the aggression of the devil – "the wicked one"– and the flood of "false prophets" he has sent into the world (2:13-14; 5:18-19; 4:1). With great sobriety we are reminded, "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (5:19). At no point are we encouraged to think of spiritual beginnings as free from danger or corruption.
We will find that false doctrines must not be approached in the energy of human logic alone. There are powerful evil spiritual personalities behind false doctrines. Although, from the standpoint of appearance, men propagate them, they are actually "doctrines of demons" (1 Tim 4:1). For this reason, Divine assistance must be provided to us, for human abilities are not adequate for confronting "the power of darkness." Should men doubt this to be the case, the Spirit will tell us emphatically that our protection against delusion is provided through Divine resources. He will also confirm that God alone can enable us to continue to abide in Christ Jesus. At no point are we left to live in our own strength.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for providing everything that is required to live godly.