THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15-19

2 Timothy 2:15-19 tell us, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” The emphasis here is God knows those who are His! How did the people know Samuel was a prophet? God answered when he prayed! Does God know us? Are we His? If we are His then we all have a common characteristic, we name the name of Christ and if so we should have accepted the standard of Biblical truth as absolute. That means there is only one name given under heaven whereby we must be saved. His name is Jesus! Every other name is a counterfeit. The Bible describes Buddha and Mohammed as counterfeit doors. Any other name than Jesus disqualifies for salvation. And God proved it by resurrection of the dead. All others are liars and there is no truth in them. It is obvious from going to church that not everyone who names the name of Christ actually is known by Him. The Lord knows those who are His because they have a common characteristic. All those who are His name the name of Christ and adhere to the Word as the ultimate truth. They accept the Biblical standard of truth, and as a result they depart from iniquity. That means that every church that subscribes to ordaining homosexual priests or marrying homosexuals is apostate, and is utterly unknown by God. Double death is on them and they have earned it in their choices. Truth is hard to accept sometimes because truth has consequences.