16 AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, because those who indulge in it WILL BECOME MORE AND MORE UNGODLY. (It’s effects are progressive) 2 Timothy 2
We saw yesterday that Paul had warned Timothy, and also us, by the Spirit not to take part in, ‘Godless chatter’ as it could end up destroying our faith. He confirms his statement by naming two individuals who have already done this;
17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.
Then Paul says something encouraging for Timothy and all future believers;
19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS,”
This is a direct quote from Moses, when he faced a challenge to his leadership by Korah and others;
16 Korah son of Izhar, … —Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolent 2 and rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well-known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council. 3 They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, … Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?”
Moses and Aaron were chosen by God and He never rejected them, nor told them to stand down.
4 When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. (Moses showed great humility before many angry men) 5 Then he said to Korah and all his followers: “In the morning the Lord WILL SHOW WHO BELONGS TO HIM AND WHO IS HOLY, and he will have that person come near him. The man he chooses he will cause to come near him.” Numbers 16
Paul, by the Spirit, quoted Moses many centuries later in his letter to Timothy and the future Church. In Paul’s time people were still trying to grasp for themselves and take people away from the Lord, but Paul said the, ‘The Lord knows those who are His’.
This Truth is repeated in several other scriptures;
14 “I am the good shepherd (The Lord); I KNOW MY SHEEP AND MY SHEEP KNOW ME …” John 10
2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 BUT WHOEVER LOVES GOD IS KNOWN BY GOD. 1 Corinthians 8
8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or RATHER ARE KNOWN BY GOD—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Galatians 4
GOD KNOWS THOSE WHO TRULY LOVE HIM, NEVER DOUBT THAT TRUTH, NO MATTER WHAT THE ENEMY TRIES TO TELL YOU!
God bless and keep you today.