The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
II Timothy 2:19
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.
There is no way to communicate all that this verse contains in one simple devotion. But to accomplish our goal of looking at the “lets” of the books of the New Testament let us deal with just that.
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Not only does our Father in Heaven desire for this to be accomplished, He has given all of His children the power to do so. It is possible to depart from iniquity. Someone may ask, what is iniquity, well some of its synonyms are: immorality, evil, injustice, wickedness, sin and vice. These words paint a picture, don’t they? Frankly it is not needful to deal much with what is iniquity, we know what it is. But how to depart from it, that’s the issue.
There is a great verse in the Bible that gives a tremendous insight to the question “How can I depart from iniquity.” Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Mercy and truth purge iniquity and the reverential fear of the Lord keeps us free from iniquity returning. Mercy is found in the Gospel, Truth is found in God’s Word, and frankly the fear of the Lord is found in His chastening.
All a person needs to depart from iniquity is an old fashioned dose of the Gospel, the Word, and chastening for wrong doing. That last one is probably an issue of contention for some, but please read Hebrews 12:5, 7, and 11. These verses give perspective on this matter.
But this devotion is not about chastening it is about our loving Father relating to any who call themselves by the name Christ (meaning Christians) that they should depart from iniquity. In context Paul is instructing Timothy about the resurrection, warning him about the false teachers of such. So, the edge, the Bible Edge on this topic is this: In light of the resurrection wherein all Christians will face the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11-15, II Corinthians 5:10) let us depart from iniquity. This is a good thing that will yield good results in this life and assuredly in the next also.
William Howe, Ph.D.