The Apostle Paul, told Timothy “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6
The “good servant” can be recognized by the sheep as one who is teaching, preaching warning and guarding God's Sheep. It is a mark of faithfulness, of obedience in a life wedded to Christ’s truth and willing to endure scorn for the sake of his Lord and Savior. They are a Gift of God to the church. They are worthy of our attentive ears because they are the Bereans.
In our contemporary church, however, Bereans are being slaughtered by professing brothers who falsely believe unity is enhanced by the lack of biblically-informed, biblically-commanded, critical discernment. It is more popular to murder with scorn and disregard Bereans, than it is to simply thank them for loving the brothers enough to expose and kill the wolves and false teachersin their midst (“kill” them by the very act of destroying their false doctrines with God’s truth and exposing them as charlatans).
Th e mantra of today’s worldly, deceived “Christianity” has become “Touch not the Lords Anointed.” And, it is displayed most visibly by the increasing prevalence of “celebrity” Christianity that has overtaken every facet of the modern church.
"The willingness to accept discernment when talking about cults, false religions, and well-known charlatans is one thing. But when the lens of discernment is turned to the celebrity pastor, teacher, podcaster, or fellow, professing “brother,” the willingness for discretion is deleted, particularly when it’s pointed at “our” favorite celebrity."
It is within this context that the call for discernment has been resisted by a shout and demand from the people “Kill the Bereans.” The exaltation of any pastor, preacher, teacher, podcaster, or brother to a pedestal above the reach of discerning concern is, flat out idolatry. When those men or women are above scrutinity they become idolatrous weak repalcements for Christ.
"On every side there are calls for discernment and it is so needed. But, it is not only needed in the face of popularly recognized charlatans. It is also needed with our own favorite Christian celebrities. Yet when the lens of discernment is applied to them, the opposing side – who is often more celebrity than Christ centered – lashes out, blindly defending their own. Truth is compromised for jabs. One-ups-man-ship is preferred over faithfulness to the Word."
In 2 Timothy 4:2 We are called to reprove, rebuke and exhort with patience and long-suffering. This admonition is addressing those inside the church precisely because we can all be in error. But, the wolves, false teachers and heretics refuse to be corrected in any way. Such Berean illumination exposes those who have crept into the church for their pride hates to pain of rebuke. Their arrogance scoffs at reproof and any notion of exhortation is an affront to their scholarly self- aggrandizement.
Brothers and sisters we must not be beyond humble correction by anyone who is a fellow heir of salvation. Unfortunately we often fail and tempers flare. The ever-watching world sees us sinning against each other and because of this, Scripture says, the world finds opportunities to blaspheme God.
We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised an eternal one.
We are not promised a kingdom built by our hands, but one built by the King Himself. It is a kingdom He promises to bring with Him.
We are promised persecution, slander, lies, hatred and a world that wants us dead just as it did to our Savior. This should not be a surprise to any discerning Berean, though it does break our hearts at times when friends turn on us and enemies surround us.
We should not be surprised by trials, tribulation and persecution when it comes from the world because we are not called to be like the world but separate from it. Scripture says that in this world we will have struggle, sorrow and hardship, not a life of ease and comfort.
We can find comfort in a Kingdom who’s builder and maker is God. God is mighty to save. This light affliction is intended to produce a greater weight of glory and to drive us deeper into Gods Word and further sanctify us.
Wh ile all this is true, let’s not forget to find comfort praying for each other as beloved brothers and sisters. Let’s remember to display love and affection for one another. Let’s remember that Jesus said the world will know us by our love for one another.
It is not unloving to expose error or false teaching and it certainly is needed within the church that is so filled with false teaching, heretics, wolves and doctrines of demons. But, let’s be careful not to kill our fellow Berean brothers and sisters. Contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the Saints. Preach the Word, be ready in season and out of season. Love those who hate and persecute you. Pray always that an entrance of the Gospel will be made into the hearts of those who will stone you. Forgive them for they know not what they do.
Strive to be above reproach, teachable, humble, unified and praying for one another
The gospel we preach must be clear, and our love so resounding that we do not fear offending and exposing Satan’s hirelings. Never be above correction and strive to be above reproach, teachable, humble, unified and praying for one another as we seek to live in peace with all men as much say it depends upon us. Let us outdo one another in love and grace and kindness and uplifting our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
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