The Good Denial

“there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,” 2 Peter 2:1

The Rooster on the Steeple (3)

Denying – Bad teaching denies Jesus.  Most modern debates about doctrine involve this kind of denial.  It’s important, but it’s not the only form of denial.  To become preoccupied with getting all the teaching right can easily lead to missing the first two times the rooster crows.  Correct teaching does not cover up incorrect living.

Making a false statement about Jesus denies Jesus.  But there are many kinds of false statements.  They are not always couched in theological terms.  Jesus claimed that life belonged to Him and could only be lived rightly in relation to Him.  Therefore, it is not enough to live a “good life”.  Jesus claimed that He was the only pathway to the Father.  Therefore, it’s not enough to “believe in God”.  Jesus claimed that life is about devotion to Him, utterly and completely.  Therefore, to claim that life is about accomplishments, victories, accumulation, legacies, success or even service is to deny Jesus.

Our culture is filled to the brim with bad teachers.  On every side we are inundated with claims that deny Jesus because they deny what He taught.  Jesus taught humility, self-sacrifice, dependence, trust, love and hope – all within the context of the will of the Father.  Wherever we are encouraged to believe any other claim, we confront denial.  Whenever we live on the basis of any other creed, we deny Him.

Three times the rooster crows.  Once each for unfaithfulness, lack of compassion and false teaching.  The denial of my relationship to the person of Jesus.  The denial of my responsibility to others.  The denial of my regard for truth He taught.  Any one will get you.

The rooster on the steeple is a reminder that I must be on guard in all three areas.  I don’t mind looking up and seeing that rooster.  He keeps me focused.  But I don’t ever want to hear him crow.