This post is some bible verses and theological stuff so you Christians who can’t stand organized religion should ignore it.
“…stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.” (1 Timothy 1:3)
I’ll wait a minute for the people who thought the New Testament ONLY talks about loving sinners to regain consciousness. I encourage you to remain seated. This is going to feel like ‘spiritual abuse’ but it’s actually just simple truth. As the saying goes, the truth hurts.
Part of Timothy’s job was to COMMAND certain men to STOP teaching false doctrines. That’s a mind-blower, isn’t it? Apparently, it wasn’t enough to just ‘love on each other.’ It seems that Jesus’ apostles placed a high value on correct teaching. The scripture indicates that it matters what you believe.
Now, you might be tempted to say something like, “That’s ridiculous, John! Jesus taught us to love each other!” You’re saying that because you think loving people REPLACES the command to teach sound doctrine. Of course, that’s absurd. The command to drive on the right side of the road doesn’t REPLACE the command to stop at a red light. You know you’re supposed to do both.
You believe that if you ‘love’ a person, you can lie to them. You might even think that love REQUIRES you to lie sometimes. Your personal definition of ‘love’ has become your gospel. You are what the bible would call, a false teacher.
If you’re still not convinced that teaching truth is super important. Here’s a quote from Jesus himself, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)
Jesus didn’t tell us to hold to his love. He told us to hold to his TEACHING. It is through correct teaching that you KNOW THE TRUTH. You can’t know the TRUTH about LOVE unless you are TAUGHT about it. And if you’re claiming to love people while ignoring biblical teaching, Timothy would tell you to knock it off.
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AMP Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].