Sidelined by Theological Delusion

Sidlow Baxter writes, commenting on Paul’s letter to the church in Colosse, which was suffering from ingestion of heretical teaching that devalued Christ,

“Let no one think that this ‘disease’ which was symptomatic at long-ago Colosse has no meaning for our own days, that there is no fear of our being ‘haunted by the ghosts of dead heresies.’ In every generation one or another reappears in fresh garb and with new deceptiveness.”

Writing in response to Paul’s justification in verse 4 of “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments,” J.I. Packer wrote,

“Sad experience shows that bad theology infects the heart with misbelief and unbelief, the spiritual equivalents of multiple sclerosis!

Many who ran well have been progressively paralyzed through ingesting bad theology, and the danger remains.”

Amidst a seemingly ever-increasing scene of “fallen runners of the faith,” our efforts center on anchoring church leaders in sound doctrine, in order that they may run with excellence, and to completion, the race set out before them.

Prayer for Cuba and Haiti

Ten years ago, prior to Empowering Action, a friend passed along to me a poem by missionary Amy Carmichael, which, in reference to Israel’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan River in Joshua 3, stated the following:

“You and I may be called again and again to walk right into our own ‘rivers,’ whatever they may be-to wet our feet in them. We may be called to do what nobody understands except those to whom the word of guidance is given-and with it, His promise too.”

The years of EA have been a testament to the principle that where God guides…He provides. His provision has included, not merely the continued financial generosity of our supporters, but also key leaders and ministry partners, which have enabled us to have a breadth of ministry beyond our greatest expectations.

Two of the countries in which we minister, Haiti and Cuba, are in the midst of chaos. As a result, we ask that you join us in praying for those brothers and sisters in Christ, mourning with those who mourn (Rom. 12:15), interceding on their behalf (1 Tim. 2:1) and petitioning for God’s provision of divine strength, amidst diversity, to “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10).

Pictured below are pastors of Haitian churches within the Dominican Republic, planning and praying earlier this week, alongside our staff, for EA’s efforts to serve Christ’s Church in their home country.

In the video below Pastor Widmy Mervilus, who directs our Savings Groups Program, asks that we also pray for political stability and societal righteousness, which exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34).