Keep the Commandment Without Spot!

Keep the Commandment Without Spot!

We see how seriously Paul viewed the matter of keeping the commandment without spot. This is understandable, for it is the commandments that form us. We are to be built together with the Chief Cornerstone—Christ—and the apostles and prophets. Eph. 2:19-22. If the commandment is changed during the various times, the people who are then being formed during those times cannot fit together. Therefore it was easiest in the beginning. However, even in Paul’s days it was “the many” who had perverted God’s Word for their personal gain, and Paul prophesies that there will be perilous times in the last days. 2 Tim. 3:1-5. And Jude writes that there were certain men who had crept in and had perverted God’s grace into licentiousness. V. 4. Today it is this perverted grace that rules, and if you want an opportunity to preach true grace, you have to “creep in.” 1 Pet. 5:12.

From this we understand that it was necessary for Paul to use such strong language when he exhorted Timothy: “I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot . . . .”

Jesus’ testimony before Pilate was: “My kingdom is not of this world.” Timothy was to remember this testimony. We can only keep the commandment without spot in our time if this is our attitude. Otherwise, we are apt to fit the commandment into the times in which we live and the result is just an appearance of godliness. Most people abandon the commandment when they have to suffer to keep it pure. Then they immediately view it in a different light. This view changes the commandment so that the suffering is lessened. It always heads in the direction of making it easier. Then the building no longer fits into the building that was established by Jesus and the apostles.

However, those who truly live according to Jesus’ testimony before Pontius Pilate can keep the commandment without spot. They are servants of the Lord in our time. The others are wolves in sheep’s clothing, which Jesus warned against. 2 Tim. 4:1-5.