Nothing New Under The Sun

"But I have a few things against you [the church in Pergamos], because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam [bay-lum], who taught Balak [bay-lack] to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus, you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans [nick-o-laya -tons], which thing I hate." - Revelation 2:14-15

Reading about the seven churches in Revelation can be a little depressing and should be alarming. All but one of the churches had significant problems. The common problem was compromise with the world and accommodation of the desires of the flesh. And the church leadership promoted it. Sound familiar?

"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:16

The doctrine of Balaam is a teaching that encourages God’s people to compromise their standards and commit idolatry and fornication. It originates from the counsel that Balaam gave to King Balak, who wanted to destroy Israel. Balaam could not curse Israel, but he advised Balak to seduce them with pagan women and practices. This doctrine was later adopted by some false teachers and leaders in the church, who led their followers astray.

The doctrine of the Nicolaitans was a heretical doctrine that allowed Christians to indulge in sin and worldly pleasures. It was based on the false assumption that the human body was evil, and the spirit was good, and that grace and forgiveness were guaranteed regardless of one's actions. It was a form of antinomianism [an-tin-nohm-ian-ism], which rejected the Law of God as binding for believers. Jesus condemned this doctrine "which thing I [Jesus] hate".

Our struggle is that, unlike Jesus, we have a capacity and proclivity for accommodating sin while denying sin's impact on our spiritual lives. When confronted with the Truth, we have two options - rationalize our choices and continue in sin or confess and repent. 

Listen, we all struggle with our sin nature. The problem is not that, but that we have hardened our hearts to the conviction of the Spirit and have embraced the Truth with a lie.

I share this with the hope that you will have spiritual insight into the why's and wherefores of the troubles that face the Body of Christ. Troubles that are not new but that have plagued the Church since it was the Church and will continue to be a plague until Jesus comes back. 

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone