A lot of Christians are caught up in the idea that the present time is the only time filled with strife, division, and false teaching. Churches of Christ have always had strife (Philippians 1:15-16), division (3 John 9-10), false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3), false gospels (Galatians 1:6-9), perverse members (Acts 20:29-30; Jude 4), and servants of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
We have to “watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13) and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). It is distressing in our current times that instead of soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3-4), we have pacifists objecting to brethren who they believe have a lack of love, and who frequently find fault with those whom they consider to be too harsh.
The churches of Pergamum and Thyatira (Revelation 2:14-15, 20-24) were condemned by the Lord for tolerating what was wrong. I do not want to be like them, but that means picking up the sword of the Spirit and wielding it!
Kyle Campbell
