For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18
Recently, I was doing some research online into a cult-like organization that has been gathering attention. I came across an interesting article by a man who had investigated this cult, and who had prepared an expose of the leader. The article went into great depths in pointing out each area where the cult leader had erred, in particular how he had manipulated and misinterpreted scripture. The article made it easy to see how the cult was wrong in its doctrine concerning Christ and the Scriptures. I was very pleased to have found the article. And then, I checked to find out who the writer of the article was. To my surprise and disappointment, I discovered that the man who had so skilfully uncovered the cult leader’s error was himself a member of another cult. He was in danger of the wrath that our text today speaks of… one of those who hold the truth in unrighteousness.
It’s not hard to find those who hold to false teaching. Very few of the so-called churches preach the Gospel, or recognize the truth of the Bible’s primary tenets. Many deny Jesus’ deity, reject the inerrancy of the Word of God, and fail to recognize the reality of sin and its punishment. They don’t even hold the truth. They are surely in danger of the wrath of God. But what of those who hold to some parts of the truth while rejecting other parts? Or those whose adherence to the truth of Scripture is marred by their immoral lifestyles and filthy language? For these hypocrites, the wrath of God is sure. Let us be careful we avoid them, and don’t become like them.
Do we hold the truth? Of course we do; the truth of Scripture is of utmost importance to us. The validity of the whole Word of God is an essential among us. Those things most surely believed are faithfully treasured as the truth. God says it; I believe it; that settles it! But holding the truth is only half the requirement; the other half is holding it in righteousness. Scripture becomes a mockery unless our lives line up with God’s truth about righteousness. We are told to be holy, and that God would have us to be like His Son.
It’s a simple recipe, isn’t it? Hold the truth, and live righteously. And avoid all those who do otherwise. -Jim MacIntosh