Stand Fast in the Christ

The Lord has not left the Body of Christ without guidance.
He has given us His truth through the Apostle Paul,
so we may recognize false teaching and stand fast
in the Christ revealed in Scripture.

Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Acts 20:29: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”

Paul spoke these words to the elders at Ephesus,
charging them to watch over the flock after his departure.
His warning was specific and pastoral, not a general call to fear,

but it still gives believers today a sober reminder to guard the truth
God has entrusted to His people and to test every message
by the truth revealed for the Body of Christ.

This warning still matters
because one of the most serious dangers today comes
when the name of Jesus is used while the truth of His Person
and finished work is diminished.

Some who speak within Christian settings attack or weaken
the orthodox doctrine of God the Son, Jesus Christ.

As members of the Body of Christ,
we must be steadfast in defending and proclaiming
the Christ revealed in the Scriptures.

When the attack comes from outside,
our defenses are often prepared,
and those opposed to the Jesus revealed in
Scripture are more easily recognized.

But those who come from within may seem like “angels of light.”
They may speak of love, peace, and cooperation
while denying the very truth by which God
saves and sanctifies His people.

Cooperating with false teaching cannot protect the flock.

Dear brothers and sisters, do not be deceived.

The flock is guarded not by cooperation with error,
but by standing fast in the Christ revealed in Scripture.

In Part 2, we will consider how to test every teacher, message, and ministry
by the truth of Jesus Christ and the gospel of grace.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ac 20:30.