OPPOSING ONESELF

2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; Today's text is gleaned from the Apostle Paul's instruction to Timothy as to how a minister should conduct himself in his oversight of the house of God (c/w 1Ti 3:15). He here describes some who "oppose themselves," i.e., they are at odds with themselves morally or doctrinally, holding at the same time two or more irreconcilable propositions. This is essentially an identifying mark of a heresy, for the heretick similarly is "...subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself" (Tit 3:10-11). When someone's doctrine "meets itself coming," so to speak, that is a tip-off that the doctrine is in grave error. Such is heresy, not the truth of the Scripture which reflects the nature of the true God "...with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (Jam 1:17). Truth is not self-contradictory, but this cannot be said for many positions of professing Christians. Example: A famous modern American preacher and televangelist has been noted as having publicly declared, "As long as America supports (the modern political State of) Israel with our resources and policy, America will be accordingly blessed as a nation" (paraphrased). But the same fellow also openly and correctly laments that for the last fifty or sixty years (the same time period during which America has been blessing Israel with untold billions of dollars in foreign aid, military equipment, technology and political support), America has been in a desperate moral downhill slide and is under the judgment of Almighty God. Blessing or judgment: which is it? This is very confusing and "...God is not the author of confusion" (1Co 14:33). If this preacher were to accept the testimony of Holy Scripture that the true Israel of God are not the children of the flesh, but have always been the children of the elective promise of grace (Rom 9:6-16) who belong to Jesus Christ regardless of nation or race (Rom 9:22-24 c/w Gal 3:28-29), then he might realize that the proper way to bless God's Israel is to bless Christians instead of antichrists. The moral slide of America might not stop, but at least the self-opposing contradiction would. Example: Another famous modern Christian leader who focuses on family issues has stated with legitimate concern that New Age religion is nothing but a modern version of ancient pagan beliefs and practices and is a dangerous contaminating opponent of Christian faith from which Christians should steer clear. Yet this same fellow also openly promotes the observance of Christmas and Easter which are virtually universally acknowledged by both secular and Christian sources as being a synthesis of Christian faith with ancient pagan beliefs and practices. Dangerous contaminant or delightful condiment: which is right? This is very confusing and "...God is not the author of confusion" (1Co 14:33). However, if one understands that God has expressly stated in both Testaments that His people should not mingle His religion with that of the heathen (Deu 12:30-32 & Jer 10:1-5 c/w Mat 6:7 & 2Co 6:14-18) whose religion was/is the worship of devils (1Co 10:20-21), and that doing so in the name of the Lord can never make such a mixture acceptable to Him (Exo 32:1-6 c/w 1Co 10:5-7), then one might realize that a Christian really can't have his Christmas cake and eat it, too. The dollars coming in to support one's family-focused ministry might stop but at least one could be doctrinally consistent and "better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right" (Pro 16:8). A little less focus on the family and a little more focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Gospel makes for a much clearer picture. Stay tuned....