Paul Instructs Timothy - Part 3

Why do the devil and his demons choose to masquerade as angels of light? Because they know that the most effective way to limit the effectiveness of God’s word is to get people to accept a perverted presentation of its truth. When the “church” can be convinced that the primary focus of ministry should be to help the poor and minister to the needy, it has taken a big step toward promoting salvation by works. The primary focus of the church is to share the gospel message by equipping and growing the saints through the teaching of scripture and to join in unified praise and worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The “church” exists primarily to minister to the needs of the body of believers—not the needs of unbelievers.

1Cor. 14:12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

Eph. 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

When the church is effective in accomplishing its primary objectives, the natural fruit produced from that ministry will be that of winning souls through the spread of the gospel and producing hearts that are ready and willing to provide for the poor and needy and share the love of God and the gospel message with those that do not know Him. Believers will be responding to the love of God through the leading of the Holy Spirit; it will be a response rooted in their salvation, not work done to qualify them for salvation.

The Lord was clear in stating that our love for one another in the body of Christ is key to an effective witness to the lost and confirmation of the truth of our message.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1Pet. 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

We can’t expect to show the love of Christ to others if we can’t show it to one another. In fact, if we profess faith in God but do not love each other, it is a sign that we are hypocrites.

1John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

1John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1John 4:20-21 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.