August 16. 1966
Roy. E. Cogdill
In previous articles we have seen that it is impossible to have fellowship with God and walk in darkness. We have learned that darkness represents evil and error - sin in our lives, and error in teaching, faith, and practice in our efforts to worship and serve God. (I John 1:6-7)
We have also learned that the only way we can enjoy fellowship with God is through the Gospel. It is through the Gospel that we are called into this fellowship and to continue in it, we must continue to walk in harmony with the Gospel or as it directs. I cannot enjoy God's acceptance and approval and therefore have fellowship with Him when I believe, teach or have fellowship with those who teach doctrines that are contrary to God's Word. I must walk in accordance with the truth, if I am to enjoy fellowship with God.
Paul wrote to Timothy, "These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth." (I Timothy 6:2-5) Again the same writer to the same young preacher said, "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do." (I Tim. 1:3-6)
In the Roman letter, chapter 16, verses 17 and 18, Paul wrote this by the Holy Spirit, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." This teaches not only that those who teach false doctrines cannot have fellowship with God but also that those who fellowship them in their false teaching are also alienated from God. False teachers are to be "marked" or branded and avoided - not fellowshipped.
On the same matter John wrote, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son, If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." (II John verses 9-11) When I give encouragement to the man who teaches contrary to the doctrine of Christ, I become a partaker with him in his evil works, It is evil works to teach error and it is likewise evil works to support, sustain, encourage, or in any manner have fellowship with a teacher of error, If God condemns a man who goes contrary to His Word, how is it possible for me to encourage and fellowship him when he does so and still have favor and fellowship with God? The fact is that it is impossible to do so. The idea then, that I can be big hearted, tolerant, broad minded, and sweet dispositioned enough to put my arms around the teacher of error and fellowship him in his error, and at the same time have fellowship with God, is false completely. There is no compromise to make in matters of faith, if we are to stand with God and be recognized by Him.
Sometimes it becomes hard for us to refuse friends of long standing that go off after error and accept the doctrines and commandments of men rather than abiding in the doctrine of Christ, We allow our sympathy, affection, or esteem to get the better of us and we refuse to draw the line of fellowship, when truth has been violated and error is being taught. But when we do, we cannot have the approval of God and walk with Him. He does not and cannot countenance the doctrines and commandments of men. (Matt. 15: 6-9) Paul admonishes the Colossians, "As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Col, 2:6-8) God is to be regarded, not men. The Word of God is the source of our faith and not the wisdom of men. Our faith should stand in the wisdom of God and not in the wisdom of men. (1 Con 2:1-5)
God's Word must prevail in our hearts and lives. It only, must be our standard. "Thy word is truth." (John 17:17) "He that saith, I know him and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him: but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him; he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked." (I John 2:4- 6)We must not separate ourselves from the doctrines and commandments of God but we must turn away from those who teach false doctrines - the doctrines and commandments of men - if we would have fellowship with God. Supporting all of this there are two other plain passages of scripture. "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (I Cor. 14:37-38) "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (II Thess. 3: 6)
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