God's Wisdom and Word Outlasts

When my sons were younger they enjoyed watching Sponge Bob, and I have seen my fair share of episodes over the years as well.  Recurring characters Mr. Krabs, the owner of a successful diner, has a rival named Plankton who manged a floundering establishment called "The Chum Bucket."  Mr. Krabs knows the success of the Krusty Krab is due to their hugely popular menu item, the Krabby Patty.  Plankton's evil, always-foiled plan is to infiltrate the Krusty Krab to steal the Krabby Patty formula so he can be a successful restaurateur himself.  This sort of scheme is not limited to silly cartoons but occurs in business, sport, the military and wherever hidden information exists that could be potentially used to damage rivals or benefit self.  This happened in the early church, and it still occurs to this day.

After Jesus Christ appeared to Paul and revealed the Gospel to him, Paul boldly preached this message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus to the Gentiles.  Initially some Jews were skeptical of and even opposed this, supposing the reception of the Gospel was only for Jews--or those willing to convert to Judaism.  Paul wrote in Galatians 2:3-5, "Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. ⁴ And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), ⁵ to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."  Paul demonstrated the Gospel does not require a Gentile to keep the Law, for Titus (who was Greek) was not compelled to be circumcised.  This incident came about because false brethren infiltrated the church gatherings, not with the intent to worship the LORD Jesus and break bread in fellowship, but to sway people to keep the Law of Moses.  They had a hidden agenda and before long it became evident, and Paul was wise to their treachery.  He held fast to the truth of the Gospel and was bold to withstand them on the solid ground of the Gospel.

There is no shortage of people who claim to have a new revelation from God that detracts or deters from the Gospel, people who seek to infiltrate churches, Bible studies and home groups to poach believers for their own agenda, to make followers of their sects or themselves rather than Christ.  How blessed we are to have the unchanging, perfect word of God that prevents us from being led astray by false doctrines and undue emphasis.  By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit genuine believers are able to expose and outlast the schemes of false brethren and those who come into churches with false humility, who are wolves in sheep's clothing.  The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ is able to mark these deceivers who are deceived, and the gentle child of God need not fret over them.  Bible-teaching churches will have these sorts of visitors come and go, and may the word of God they hear preached move them to repentance rather than condemn.

In a chapter where Paul confronted the heretical view Jesus had not bodily risen from the dead within the church, there was no hand-wringing.  Instead he concluded the passage with thanksgiving to God and an exhortation to endure in 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 :  "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."  God gives us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ, and therefore we can be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of God knowing our labour is not in vain.  The real brethren through Jesus will outlast the false ones.  Through our LORD Jesus our labour is not in vain in the LORD.  To Him be all glory, honour and praise, the God who girds us with strength, encourages us and give us victory now and forever.