We know the old trick in the movies of an alien coming to earth saying, "We come in peace", they make friends, and then all of a sudden we realize they aren't friends. They are frenemies. A frenemy is someone that looks like a friend, acts like a friend, and talks like a friend but is actually an enemy. Paul was writing about something similar to that in the book of Galatians. Judaizing teachers that appeared nice were indoctrinating Christians to return to the Mosaic Law for justification. Gal 5:4 They were being seduced to think circumcision was a principle of faith. Gal 5:2,6 Paul described their fallen state in verse 9 of the main text. This tells us a few things that must be done.
1. The children of God should be rebuked when needed even though many don't want to hear that. That is where the frenemy comes in. Many teachers are afraid to hurt the feelings of others so they only desire to be friendly. That, by default, is a frenemy. Most of the New Testament was written to instruct, rebuke, and encourage Christians, rather than instruct "alien" sinners. Peter rebuked Simon who was a new convert. Acts 8:18-23 Paul rebuked Peter to his face. Gal 2:11,12 Paul instructed Timothy to rebuke Christians who continue to sin. 1Ti 5:20 Yet, far too often frenemy teachers fail to instruct, rebuke, or encourage because they just want everyone to know you're OK, I'm OK, and we all win in the end. NO MATTER WHAT!! People are trapped in this twisted teaching of lies. That Bible doesn't say we all win in the end. It actually says few will win. Mt 7:13,14. The truth is what will free people from these frenemies. Jn 8:32
2. The preaching of the truth may make enemies. I would much rather have enemies than frenemies! Look what was said about Micah. He was hated because of the truth. 1Ki 22:8 The truth of the resurrection made those who opposed the truth bribe others to lie about what they had seen. Mt 28:11-15 Jesus told His apostles they would be hated for teaching truth in His name. Mt 10:22 Sadly, the cry of Isa 30:10 can be heard loud and clear today too. Even worse, it is being answered by frenemy teachers. The greatest battle we fight today is mankind's effort to change the Bible to fit himself instead of mankind changing himself to fit the Bible.
3. The truth must be preached at the expense of making enemies. The popular attitude of compromise today has resulted in a great apostasy. Look at what Paul said to Timothy in 2Ti 4:3,4 He says people "will not endure sound doctrine" and there is the attitude. The he says, "accumulate for themselves teachers" there is the frenemy teachers. Finally he says, "turn away their ears from the truth" and the result of this compromised teaching from frenemy teachers is apostasy.
People want the Bible preached in a way that leaves people alone. Tell me God loves, which he does, and only teach the things that pleases everybody. How can that be done? The first verse of the Bible upsets atheists. The following verses upsets those who support the big bang theory. Immediately after that the evolutionists are mad! All these people are mad and we are still in the first chapter in a collection of 66 books! WE ARE AT SPIRITUAL WAR MY FRIENDS. Our weapon is designed to cut things in pieces. Heb 4:12 I heard a joke one time of a teacher that wouldn't teach on heaven or hell. He was asked why and he said, "I have friends in both places."
Today, as you go into the world, for whatever reason, will you share the truth because it will set your loved ones free or will you smile and be their frenemy? Can you claim to love someone if you do not tell them the truth? The truth hurts but is also sets you free!
1. The children of God should be rebuked when needed even though many don't want to hear that. That is where the frenemy comes in. Many teachers are afraid to hurt the feelings of others so they only desire to be friendly. That, by default, is a frenemy. Most of the New Testament was written to instruct, rebuke, and encourage Christians, rather than instruct "alien" sinners. Peter rebuked Simon who was a new convert. Acts 8:18-23 Paul rebuked Peter to his face. Gal 2:11,12 Paul instructed Timothy to rebuke Christians who continue to sin. 1Ti 5:20 Yet, far too often frenemy teachers fail to instruct, rebuke, or encourage because they just want everyone to know you're OK, I'm OK, and we all win in the end. NO MATTER WHAT!! People are trapped in this twisted teaching of lies. That Bible doesn't say we all win in the end. It actually says few will win. Mt 7:13,14. The truth is what will free people from these frenemies. Jn 8:32
2. The preaching of the truth may make enemies. I would much rather have enemies than frenemies! Look what was said about Micah. He was hated because of the truth. 1Ki 22:8 The truth of the resurrection made those who opposed the truth bribe others to lie about what they had seen. Mt 28:11-15 Jesus told His apostles they would be hated for teaching truth in His name. Mt 10:22 Sadly, the cry of Isa 30:10 can be heard loud and clear today too. Even worse, it is being answered by frenemy teachers. The greatest battle we fight today is mankind's effort to change the Bible to fit himself instead of mankind changing himself to fit the Bible.
3. The truth must be preached at the expense of making enemies. The popular attitude of compromise today has resulted in a great apostasy. Look at what Paul said to Timothy in 2Ti 4:3,4 He says people "will not endure sound doctrine" and there is the attitude. The he says, "accumulate for themselves teachers" there is the frenemy teachers. Finally he says, "turn away their ears from the truth" and the result of this compromised teaching from frenemy teachers is apostasy.
People want the Bible preached in a way that leaves people alone. Tell me God loves, which he does, and only teach the things that pleases everybody. How can that be done? The first verse of the Bible upsets atheists. The following verses upsets those who support the big bang theory. Immediately after that the evolutionists are mad! All these people are mad and we are still in the first chapter in a collection of 66 books! WE ARE AT SPIRITUAL WAR MY FRIENDS. Our weapon is designed to cut things in pieces. Heb 4:12 I heard a joke one time of a teacher that wouldn't teach on heaven or hell. He was asked why and he said, "I have friends in both places."
Today, as you go into the world, for whatever reason, will you share the truth because it will set your loved ones free or will you smile and be their frenemy? Can you claim to love someone if you do not tell them the truth? The truth hurts but is also sets you free!
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Hear The Word- Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We Must Believe or Have Faith- Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We Must Repent- Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We Must Confess Christ Before Others- Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)- 1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We Must Remain Faithful- Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
Great message. Boy I have lost a lot of frenemies because of my strong biblical stance. I was in a relationship with a woman, in whome I hoped to marry. Though she boasted in a strong spirituality, she supported Darwinism and feminism. I had to break it off. She was a frenemy. Or should I say a wolf in sheeps clothing. Nobody is perfect. But the truth is. We can claim fault within ourselves, but cannot claim any fault in the truth. We can only accept it or reject it. There can be no safe comprimise on that. May God give me the courage to stand for the truth even in the face of death.
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!
Deletei have had far too many frenemies that every time I call them out I somehow become the horrible person which I know not to be truth but those that do not believe God's Word believe the frenemies gossip so I now have a very short list of "friends" but that is fine when Jesus is the best friend ANY one could have.
ReplyDeleteAmen!!
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