2 Timothy 2:19 KJV
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Barnes Notes says, "...though some had been turned away by the arts of these errorists, yet the foundation of the church which God had laid remained firm...
This is one of the inscriptions on the foundation-stone of the church, which seems to mark the character of the building. It always stands there, no matter who apostatizes. It is at the same time a fearful inscription - showing that no one can deceive God; that he is intimately acquainted with all who enter that building; and that in the multitudes which enter there, the friends and the foes of God are intimately known."[1]
It can be a disheartening thing to see the fruits of one's labor (read that, people we have led to the Lord or people we have instructed in the things of God for some time) be overcome through the wiles of some false prophet or teacher. It has always been so that, as soon as a work is done for God, some creep in to see if they can spoil it. And it has always been so that have been successful, at least so far as the human eye can see, in that there are those whose faith is overthrown.
God's encouragement here is to remember that even though the work we have done sometimes appears to be damaged by that, the foundation of God stands sure. God knows those who are His own. He knows the ones who were not really believers and the reason their faith was overthrown is that theirs was not saving faith. He also knows those who are believers and who have been deceived by the lies of the evil one and He is more than capable of restoring them in His time.
My job is not to preserve the work of God. My job is to do the work of God. God will, by Himself, make His foundation stands sure.
[1] E-Sword 7.7.7, Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
Barnes Notes says, "...though some had been turned away by the arts of these errorists, yet the foundation of the church which God had laid remained firm...
This is one of the inscriptions on the foundation-stone of the church, which seems to mark the character of the building. It always stands there, no matter who apostatizes. It is at the same time a fearful inscription - showing that no one can deceive God; that he is intimately acquainted with all who enter that building; and that in the multitudes which enter there, the friends and the foes of God are intimately known."[1]
It can be a disheartening thing to see the fruits of one's labor (read that, people we have led to the Lord or people we have instructed in the things of God for some time) be overcome through the wiles of some false prophet or teacher. It has always been so that, as soon as a work is done for God, some creep in to see if they can spoil it. And it has always been so that have been successful, at least so far as the human eye can see, in that there are those whose faith is overthrown.
God's encouragement here is to remember that even though the work we have done sometimes appears to be damaged by that, the foundation of God stands sure. God knows those who are His own. He knows the ones who were not really believers and the reason their faith was overthrown is that theirs was not saving faith. He also knows those who are believers and who have been deceived by the lies of the evil one and He is more than capable of restoring them in His time.
My job is not to preserve the work of God. My job is to do the work of God. God will, by Himself, make His foundation stands sure.
[1] E-Sword 7.7.7, Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
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