… which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.
Summary: Paul’s closing thought is a doozy. Somewhere there is an invisible line which, once crossed, means we have departed from the faith.
Let’s begin with a review of Paul’s closing paragraph:
“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21)
1. Guard what has been entrusted to your care — the truth.
2. Turn your back on false claims of truth.
3. Because some have not and ended up leaving the faith.
This closing thought in Paul’s letter is one that has terrified church leaders for centuries. They are haunted by the question, “How can I make sure my flock never strays from the truth?” In order to answer that question, the church, over the years, has systematized and clarified the Gospel over and over again. We want to make certain that the truth is clear and that people know it.
Our understanding of “truth” has shifted, and nobody noticed.
Paul’s understanding of the Gospel is not about Jesus Christ; it is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the truth (John 14:6).
Here is the scary part:
We can drift away from the truth and not realize it. Like a boat that slips its mooring lines in the middle of the night, we drift into the night fog without noticing the change. It is only when the sun rises, burns off the fog, and shows us the truth that we realize land is no longer in sight.
The same is true for faith.
Over the centuries since Paul’s day, the church has established theologies and rules. We have to believe in words about Jesus to be saved rather than believing in Jesus.
The shift has been subtle—impossible to notice, but it is real. That is why Paul is so concerned about guarding the truth.
How do we know the difference between true knowledge and false knowledge? The answer isn’t intellectual assent. Believing something is true doesn’t make it so. Truth is true because it is real.
You don’t need a book about rocks to recognize a rock when you feel one. It is hard, cold, and heavy. Big or little, wet or dry, polished or rough—a rock is a rock. We know it, not when we see it, but when we make contact with it.
Have you ever seen one of those fake rocks used to hide a key in the yard? Have you seen displays in a museum or a zoo where the rocks look real but sound hollow and feel like fiberglass?
You know what the truth is when you touch it, or it touches you. Jesus is the truth. Turn away from false knowledge.
Application: Know Jesus.
Food for Thought: Where is the line between truth and false knowledge?
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Where is the line between truth and false knowledge?
I like this question because it made me imagine an actual “line between truth and falsehood” and which side I, or anyone, would stand on it. If on one side I stood in falsehood and on the other I stood in Christ (the Truth). In my mind I believe the “line” is really humility, submission, God’s authority and that His Word is the truth, and the Truth (Jesus) came to set us free. When we accept Christ as our Lord we are not given all knowledge and truth instantly; seeking Christ is finding truth daily and applying it to our lives. That is a part of sanctification and faith. But we must approach God’s Word in reverence to Him, and approach in humility and with an open heart. I think on the other side of that line is pride, worldly passion, ulterior motives, self-service. I think the false knowledge that leads us away from faith in Christ is the one that leads us to faith in ourselves. The words “proof texting” pops up in my mind, where one looks for answers that fit their agenda rather than looking to the Spirit to change our heart based on truth.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Chris,
Thank you! Excellent summation!
Where is the line between truth and false knowledge?
John 16:13, But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. The Holy Spirit aids believers in understanding and applying God’s Word, providing insight into the truthfulness of messages.
By faith, believers have chosen to leave the lie and live according to choices consistently aligned with the will of God over the lies of mankind. The Holy Spirit of God is our guide as we make ourselves humble and obedient to God, over this world and its desires.
Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
God is our power to see, our guide to live our lives, walking in the truths He has given to all who will choose to receive.
Thank you, Ron!
Yes–God is our power to see! Well said!
Very good devotion. As a nation we have slipped from the truth. Pastor Rich will not let that happen at Bethel.
Thank you, Paul!
🙂