JESUS is Sovereign (1 Tim.6)

People advocating different doctrines (as seen in the scripture below, of course) still happens today.  People take the Bible out of context or simply make up their own religion of what should and shouldn't be.  A very popular viewpoint today is that everyone should be tolerant of "everyONE" - actually what they mean to say "everything".  We SHOULD love everyone!  We should NOT agree with everything.  Although it is HOW we react to things which is something we need to figure out.  And the answer is found at the end of this chapter.

But how is the fact - of Jesus being God - important to this issue?  I believe - very!  I know a lot of people who call themselves "Christians" (actually call themselves "Progressive Christians") would see Jesus as just a good man, because if Jesus was just a man, then all the other religions which were developed by mankind have the same and equal opportunity of being truth.  And if Jesus was just a man, then us being mankind can decide for ourselves what truth is.

Now, clearly, and scientifically even, truth can only be one thing.  Either something is or it isn't.  Either it is one way or it is another.  If a table top is square, even if one believes with their whole heart that the table is round (because they don't like the corners), or if one believes with with their whole heart that the table doesn't exist at all - it doesn't change the FACT (the TRUTH) that the table indeed exists and it is square! ...

(1 Timothy 6:3-16)  If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11 But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

The chapter before this also spoke about the King of kings.  We know this to be Jesus.  And we know that we will all face Him as our Judge one day.  For those who are not believers, they will be judged at the Great White Throne - for the sins they have committed.  For believers, we will be judged at the Bema Seat - for the deeds we have done.  Those deeds will be tested by fire, and for those works which are not burned away (those works which are done with loving and pure motives), we will receive rewards.

SO - when faced with those people who are preaching a different doctrine - what do we say and/or do?...

(1 Timothy 6:17-21)  Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.  20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.

Sounds easy.  Simply follow Jesus' example.  Loving God and doing His will.  Loving people!  When tempted by Satan, Jesus quoted Bible verses.  When questioned and tested by the Pharisees, Jesus usually just answered their questions.  Often He would disappear from their sight.  Jesus never went looking for an argument.  We are not to be contentious.  We are not to provoke.  We ARE to do everything in love!...

(1 Corinthians 16:14)  Let all that you do be done in love.