Approved of God



In this article we shall look at the divisions that arose in Corinth and apply Paul's teaching to our own situation, focusing particularly on 1Corinthians 11:19 where the Apostle says: "There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you".

Problems
The Corinthian Church had problems. They were of the kind which have emerged repeatedly in the history of the church and arise from human fallibility and perversity. Behind them were several issues. 1Corinthians 11 and 12 focus on three problems. Firstly, women were going unveiled to public worship (11:1-10). Secondly, there was irreverence in observing the Lord's Supper (11:17-34). Thirdly, there was disorderliness in the exercise of spiritual gifts (12:1-11).
"I praise you not" (11:17), is a clear expression of disapproval. Things had to be put right and strong words are used to emphasise the urgency of the required response, if their coming together "in the church" (11:18) is to be for their benefit and not for their condemnation.

Divisions
Paul said: "I hear that there are divisions among you" (11:18). As sometimes happens, the rich kept themselves apart from the poor and the gifted despised the less gifted. Here also, many followed personalities. How often there is a beavering away by some to promote their own influence in churches! Like Absalom at the gate, they are trying to win the hearts of some of the people, hopefully the majority, to cause the overturning of the "old order" (2 Samuel 15:1-6).
How fragile unity is in churches, especially in our age of individualism and misunderstood freedom of conscience! How often there are pressures to change accepted standards and practices in order to gain a more widespread acceptance in the world! In this way cliques and parties form, and divisions are the result. Under the guise of being modern and evangelistically effective a subtle shift takes place from the Biblical and Confessional principle which states that only what is warranted by the Word of God is acceptable, to the idea that anything is allowable as long as it is not specifically condemned in the Bible. There is a world of difference between these two ideas.

Heresies
Paul's letters speak eloquently of his concern for purity in doctrine and practice. But he also writes of the inevitability of "heresies". In a similar vein he warns Timothy that in the last days "perilous times" shall come (2Tim.3:1). This is not just an anticipation of persecution from the world, but also of attack from within the professing Church. For there will be those who have a "form of godliness" whose lives show their ignorance of its saving power: "from such turn away" (2Tim.3:5). Timothy is to "continue" in the things which he has learned. Clearly the Scriptures are the criteria for what is right and wrong (Tim.3:15-17). Christ also warned us to beware of the wolves in sheep's clothing (Mat.7:15).

Opposition
"Heresies" must come (11:19). This word "heresies" is a strong word. In the New Testament it is applied to various deviant views, for example, the positions of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17) and the Pharisees (Acts 15:5). Here the word means that which is contrary to the revealed Word of God. Paul clearly expects these pressures to be faced and resisted. Indeed, he implies that the coming of these things is a necessity so that those who are "approved" (of God), will stand out. He is not saying that these things are to be welcomed or tolerated within the professing Christian community. Yet, when they do occur, from whatever source, they will have the effect of distinguishing those who are really approved of God. Those who conscientiously hold to the Lord's Word and apply it in their lives, will be recognised. God allows heresies in His church to test who are the faithful.

Approval
Are we approved of God? Yes, if we "hold fast that which is good" (1Thess.5:21). Paul urges Timothy to "Hold fast the form of sound words" (2Tim.1:13). Where have these "words" come from? He makes plain when he says, "which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus". The writer to the Hebrews says likewise: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering" (Heb.10:23). What gives the believer encouragement to "hold fast" his or her "profession"? Surely it is the Lord's assurance, "for he is faithful that promised". There is therefore every encouragement, even in an age of shifting theological opinions, to hold tenaciously to what is explicitly found in God's Word and warranted by it. We are to take no divisive course from that "form of sound words" under any amount of pressure to change in order to be more appealing to the world. Our primary concern should be faithfulness to Christ that we may be found to be "approved" on account of our godly conformity to His Word, even although the world may despise us.


Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the editor.

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