Friday: Further Thought - False Teachers

Further Thought: So often we hear Christians talk about “freedom in Christ.” And, of course, this is a valid concept. To be free from the condemnation of the law and to have assurance of salvation because of what Christ has done for us and not from our own works is indeed to be free.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

The story of Martin Luther and the bondage from which he suffered before he understood grace is a great example of what this freedom can mean. However, as we saw in Peter, the wonderful truth can be twisted. “The great truth of our entire dependence upon Christ for salvation lies close to the error of presumption. Freedom in Christ is by thousands mistaken for lawlessness; and because Christ came to release us from the condemnation of the law, many declare that the law itself is done away, and that those who keep it are fallen from grace. And thus, as truth and error appear so near akin, minds that are not guided by the Holy Spirit will be led to accept the error and, in so doing, place themselves under the power of Satan’s deceptions. In thus leading people to receive error for truth, Satan is working to secure the homage of the Protestant world.” – Ellen G. White, Christ Triumphant, p. 324.

Discussion Questions:

Meditate on 2 Peter 2:19 and the other things Peter says about the results of the false teaching. Why must we be sure to learn for ourselves the crucial truths we believe? How important is it that we all agree exactly on what we should believe? When does it become “dangerous” to think ideas that are different from the rest of our fellow believers?
Look at some of the strong language of Peter in regard to the whole question of punishment and judgment: “bring upon themselves swift destruction”
(2 Pet. 2:1); “shall utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Pet. 2:12); “to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Pet. 2:9); “and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Pet. 2:3, NKJV). What should these texts tell us about not only the reality of judgment but about how strongly God condemns those who will lead His people into error?
What do you think it means when those who talk about “freedom in Christ” generally do so, not in the context of the law in general (though some do) but in the context of keeping the fourth commandment, the Sabbath commandment? How does this argument help us to see another way that the idea of “freedom in Christ” can be twisted?

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Comments

Friday: Further Thought – False Teachers — 5 Comments

shingiro [Full name please] on June 8, 2017 at 9:18 pm said:

First, thank you lord for this online sabbath school teachings and may the grace of almighty be upon the team that is involved in sharing these teachings! This Friday lesson made it clear about people who think they can do whatever they want, because before Jesus died, he said all is over! To mean for them that there is no more punishment. But because of the Friday lesson, we are free from the condemnation of the law immediately, but not free from the final judgement of our deeds. Thank you in the name of jesus

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Kelvin Lim on June 8, 2017 at 10:43 pm said:

In response to your discussion question 4, how does the freedom in Christ relates to the Sabbath keeping?

Roman 14:5-6 states one person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

This text has caused many to do away with Sabbath keeping. Is this really the case?

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- JC Zielak on June 9, 2017 at 2:36 am said:
  
  Dear Kelvin, we cannot be prejudiced towards people who do not believe the same way we do. But one thing I can ask myself "do I truly believe in Jesus?". If the answer is affirmative, and reading about His life, agreeing that He set an example for me to follow, this other question may rise up "what was His conduct regarding the sabbath?"
  
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- Jim bob on June 10, 2017 at 7:02 am said:
  
  The Sabbath controversy is the biggest indicator of how prevalent false teachers are. 99% of Christianity does not support the Sabbath commandment.
  
  Rom 14:5 is one of the verses used, however in my experience, Col 2:16 is what I hear the most. Usually 1 Cor 16:1&2 & Acts 20:7 is thrown in the mix.
  
  This pseudo freedom in Christ actually turns into a freedom from Christ doctrine.
  
  I counter this Sabbath abrogation lie with Acts 13:44, where Paul allowed almost a whole city of gentiles to come hear him present a 2nd sermon on Jesus & the gospel. To the simple minded,if one reads Gal 2:14, it makes Paul appear to be a hypocrite. Also, most are taught that the sabbath is the only commandment not repeated in the new testament. Those teachers who present that don't tell their audiences that the Sabbath commandment gets more attention in the gospels than all of the other 9 commandments put together. (See Matt 12, MK 2 &3, Luke 6,13,14,23, John 5,7,9) Thus Sabbath is AFFIRMED in the new testament.
  
  Like I mention in church, 90% of churchgoers have never read the whole bible once, thus they become victims of false teachers. A good chapter to read in Great Controversy is..."The Scriptures a Safeguard"
  
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JohnHerscher on June 10, 2017 at 5:33 am said:

I believe that the Lord of the Old Testament is also Lord of the New Treatment did He change the forth commandment in the new testment setting? No! Let's read: Isaiah 56:5-7. The Lord wants us all to keep the Seventh Day Sabbath, It is part of His covenent new or old. Isaiah 56:7. Paul is saying let's not condem weak believers. Romans 14:1. For what they eat or whether or not they keep the Seventh Day Sabbath to the Lord. Lets encourage and up lift them by our example. Let the Holy Spirit direct them to the Truth about the Sabbath and about what they eat. That is why Paul also said that God does not force us to do right. Romans 14:5. Now read Hebrews 4:1-11. Read it carefully. You will see that Paul is supporting the Seventh Day Sabbath. I thank God for the Seventh Day of rest in Him.
Happy Sabbath

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