2 Timothy 2:14-19

False prophets can do a lot of damage. Growing up, I saw an unrighteous pastor split a church. He took 30% to 40% of the membership with him and helped start a new denomination. It later died. In its short lifespan it managed to do much damage. It was because of this type of danger to the church that Paul warned Timothy to take a strong stand against false teaching.

However, even though false prophets can do damage to individual congregations, to the reputation of the church in general, and to the individual Christians they mislead, they cannot do long-term damage to the Body of Christ as a whole. Paul wants Timothy to understand this when he tells him that God’s foundation stands firm. Every church congregation, if it is part of the body of Christ, no matter what the denomination, is build on a secure foundation that God has put into place. The teaching of wicked men, and even misguided men cannot shake that foundation. That foundation has two unshakable truths.

The first truth is that God knows those who are his. To say that God knows you as a Christian does not mean he knows your name. It does not mean he chose you and knows you are on a list. The word “know” is the same word that is used to speak of a husband knowing his wife in an intimate fashion. It means that God and Christians have a close and intimate relationship that cannot be shattered by simple misunderstandings or human error.

The second truth is that those who confess the name of the Lord Jesus must turn away from wickedness. Anyone claiming the name of Christ, who willfully continues a life of wickedness is a liar. They are not a part of the body of Christ and have no place in the church.

As long as Christians have an intimate relationship with God, and turn from wickedness, God’s foundation of the church will continue to stand solid and firm.