​By Desi Najera, Jr.

(1Timothy 1:3)  "As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine,"

Paul was emphatic about doctrine. Why? He knew that without solid, biblical doctrine that the Church was powerless and that all ministry would be for nothing. We should be encouraged as pastors, teachers and small group leaders to make a doctrinal stance. Know what you know and ask God to reveal to you what you don't know. Like a good friend of mine says, "It's bad enough I didn't know what I didn't know!" Bad doctrine leads to the commitment to a false Jesus.

Here are some key ways to find out if you are siting under false doctrine:

• All the heroes of the bible ultimately point back to YOU instead of Jesus. Have you ever been encouraged by a teacher or pastor to have David's courage in order to slay the Goliath's of your life? This is a very simple way of putting you on the throne instead of Jesus. Jesus says, (Joh 5:39)  "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me," Over and over we find that every hero of faith from Genesis to Revelation was a shadow of the Christ to come. Godly prophets, priests and kings were all just a coming attraction or "trailer" if you will, to the main feature of the story - Jesus Christ our Savior. Any good that David did, was a picture of the perfect one - the true apple of God's eye - His Son Jesus. And only Jesus was going to be powerful enough to slay our biggest foe - Satan and his schemes through the bondage of sin.
• A never-ending parade of programs and church growth strategies. A church that has no true Gospel power will always resort to the schemes and manipulations that prey on the fleshly desires of men to get them to come to church. And once those manipulations are used to get them there, ultimately you have to keep appealing to their fleshly desires to keep them there. They do this by keeping you busy in ministry, oftentimes placing unqualified men and women in positions of leadership way before they are called and prepared by God to do so.(Eph 4:14)  "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."
• Ministry resources that mostly go to administrative salaries, buildings and utilities. We find throughout scripture that the by the Holy Spirit inspired resources donated by the saints all the needs of the community can be provided for - especially those who attend that specific fellowship. Are the pastor's salaries, and other bills hidden from the church? This is a big caution flag that your fellowship may be preaching a false watered-down, man-centered gospel to keep you and your money faithfully flowing into their pockets. (2Co 2:17)  "For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ."

It is time that the Church rise up and come back to the true simple Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is worth defending and discovering for "it is the power of God unto salvation!" (Ro. 1:16)

The pain that comes with mental or physical affliction can bring frustration and confusion not only to a person who is sick, but also to those who pray and suffer along side them. The bible teaches us that we will be able to overcome the sufferings of this life by God's grace. Paul gives us insight into this grace when he cried out to God on several occasions to relieve him from something that was causing him great distress. And through this crying out and communication with God, Paul found grace that was sufficient to overshadow the "why's" that often accompany unexpected hurts, whether they be of the body or the soul. Consider these principals the next time you or someone you love finds themselves in the midst of suffering:

• God is still in control. Many times when we encounter suffering we can quickly feel that God has abandoned us, or that somehow the devil has gained an upper hand over our lives. However, scripture clearly teaches that (Rom 8:38, 39)  "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• There is a ministry of love attached to their suffering. At face value this sounds like a ridiculous statement. But in light of the truth of the Word we find that everything that seeks to destroy us God turns around for good. (Gen 50:20)  "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." In every instance in the bible, God has proven Himself to be 100% faithfully committed to the eternal good of His people. This has become the motto of our fellowship at Word of God Church. More often than not, in order to bring about this eternal good in you and in others He allows His children to be joined with His Son in the ministry of suffering to bring about His desired outcome. If our perfect heavenly Savior experienced suffering, we too should willingly embrace it knowing that He is accomplishing something for our good in the end.
• Suffer along with your loved one as together you lean on the promises of God. Even Jesus, our King and example, desired to rather suffer in the midst of His friends than alone, how much more could a suffering loved one benefit from the compassionate and empathetic companion make the bitter gall a little more palatable. (Mat 26:38)  Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." Covenant to pray with them, sing with them, sit quietly with them, listen to God with them...ultimately worship with them.
• Don't let this suffering go to waste.  You may find in retrospect that this time can be a meaningful season of authentic Christian growth if you use it to draw closer to God and pursue His will for your life. Trusting in Him and His plans can bring much joy even through the most painful tears. (Rom 5:4-6) "and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly."

​Article by Desi Najera, Jr.