The Heat is On
A few years back, my husband and I went away for a few days to a favorite spot up the coast of California to relax and rest up from our crazy schedules. And there's no better way to relax than in a jacuzzi, right?
Yes! Jacuzzi time. When I first got in, the temperature didn't seem that warm, so I pushed the "heat" button a few times, got comfortable, and closed my eyes. After a little while, I still felt it wasn't as hot as I wanted it to be, so I pushed the button a few more times, and began to be lulled to sleep as the heat slowly intensified. That may or may not have happened two or three times more, not sure. A while later, Jeff decided to join me. He stuck his foot in the water and proceeded to cry out in pain, as apparently, the temperature of the water was well above where normal jacuzzis should be. I had not noticed it since it was so gradual and I was holding so still, but when I moved my arm in the water, I quickly realized how dangerously hot it had become. I hadn't been paying attention. I was almost asleep!
This is exactly what's happening in our churches today. Exactly. We get too comfortable, too trusting, and start 'falling asleep,' then clearly miss error or danger lurking around us because we're not paying attention. And it doesn't happen quickly. And it's not obvious. It happens over time. It happens when we're not focussed. It happens when we're not actively pursuing, learning, and studying God's Word.
"Error is like leaven of which we read, 'A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump' (Galatians 5:9). Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died."
- Dr. Harry Ironside
Error is creeping into the church in many forms, whether it be through mysticism, ecumenicalism, universalism, postmodernism, Cultural Marxism, etc. May I encourage you to be a "sheepdog?" Our shepherds are extremely taxed with the care of their sheep. They need sheepdogs whose ears are open and listening for anything that does not agree with Scripture, whose eyes compare the words of men to the Word of God, and whose mouths call out warning of danger to aid in waking others from their slumber.
I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch. (Acts 20:29-31)
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 3, 4)
"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed." (2 Peter 2:1-2 )
