Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: POUND (07/15/21)
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TITLE: Preventing The Costly Pound of Cure | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
07/20/21 -
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The same principle of costly damage prevention applies to the spiritual realm. Just as a small of leaven can impact an entire loaf of bread, just a little false doctrine (Matt. 16: 12) can plant the seeds of apostasy that can diminish the quality of one's post salvation spiritual life (Gal. 5: 9).
The once of prevention involves taking the time to conduct 2Cor. 13: 5 self examinations on a regular basis to detect and to address the presence of false doctrines and their accompanying practices that we have chosen to be a part of our thought processes and activities.
We are what we think (Proverbs 23: 7).
The pound of cure involves all the disturbing activity it takes to remove what, if not detected early, can become the v-e-r-y deeply rooted trees that the seeds of false doctrines, accompanying practices, and religious traditions of men, have grown.
Many folks would just as soon "not go there" when it comes to making such 2Cor. 13 : 5 self examinations in fear of what they may reveal (John 3: 20) and or what it will cost (2Tim. 3: 12/Luke 14: 26) them to correct.
True discipleship, that being the study (John 8: 31) and the application (James 1: 22) of the Word of God, will be an uphill battle (Matt. 10: 34). If such conflict has not been a part of one's personal experience in one's walk with the Lord, it could be that a 2Cor. 13: 5 examination is overdue.
It is much easier to remain in one's religious comfort zone than it is to take on the inevitable challenges that being taught (2Pet. 3: 18) and especially applying (James 1: 22) the Word of God will bring.
Providing one has laid the right foundation (Matt. 7: 24 - 27), his or her salvation remains eternally secure (Romans 8: 1).
Never-the-less, if a born again believer does not use the right material (accurate doctrine) to build his or her soul structure on this foundation (1Cor. 3: 11 -15), the quality of his or post (after) salvation spiritual life here on Earth will be compromised.
Such compromise impacts such things as the quality of one's worship (Matt. 15: 9), and or his/her ability to take part in the work (Matt.28: 19, 20.) He gave His Church to do.
"But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching (and practicing) as doctrines the precepts of (religious) men (Matt. 15: 9 NASB parentheses mine)."
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing (identifying) them (with) in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, (by) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you...(Matt. 28: 19, 20 NASB parentheses mine)."
Like a participant in a torch relay race, one cannot pass along to others the unadulterated Gospel Message for salvation or a principle of edifying Bible Doctrine if one has not first taken possession of them him/herself.
When deceived, one will unwittingly be used of the devil to promote his agenda (John 8: 44).
Matt. 7: 24 - 27 speaks of one house being built on a foundation of rock, and another house being built on a foundation of sand. Both houses were subjected to the rain and winds of a storm, but only the house that had been built on the rock foundation was still standing when the storm was over.
The foundation of rock is faith (trust and confidence) in the unadulterated Gospel Message that speaks of the need (John 3: 5, 7) and the means (John 3: 16, 18) of salvation.
The foundation of sand can be one of the many false Gospel Messages (means of obtaining or retaining salvation) found inside of the Christian Community (2Cor. 11: 4), or teachings promoted by the alternative (Psalms 96: 5) religions of the world.
If the foundation of one's soul structure is of sand, he or she is in danger of being tossed into the lake of fire Rev. 20: 15.
1Cor. 3 speaks of false doctrine in the soul structures of born again believers who D0 have the right foundation (are eternally saved), but live a compromised post salvation spiritual life. Such believers remain saved (Romans 8: 1), but forfeit the rewards (1Cor. 3: 15) and (Rev. 2, Rev.3) privileges reserved for disciples.
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