CHRISTinUS

The attraction for people is a sense of belonging to a group, identification, even if false. The fruit is also of false wisdom and belief, creating confusion among people and condemnation against others. The true gospel of Christ is to unite in the same belief, which this emphasis, on the contrary, divides and brings separation, which is the work of the enemy.

Timothy, like each one of us, needs the encouragement and guidance. Paul helps him to ready his mind and soul to future events and to strengthen his faith. By doing so, the ministry will get stronger in the message to give for others to find the Light again. It's a call for a refuel of energy and ardent strength and resistance against the enemy, as well as solidarity among the members. It's a renewal to perserverence.

"Husband of one wife" indicates: obedience, hierarchy, order, and law, according to the design of a healthy nucleus family. A leadership potential is reflected from a small scale, in the familial context and sets of experience. The Church is based on the same structure and leadership qualities demonstrated by a man in the role of a husband, with extended family. Likely his patience, problem solving ability, communication style, and the condition of his heart affect the results of his immediate members of a household. The environment it creates for growth, discipline, guidance, and decision making, nurture the character of individuals developing under that atmosphere of patriarchal leadership. The model of a thriving family is the prime choice for a healthy growing Church structure.

False doctrines in the church in Ephesus were issues of the heart, just as it is in present churches. The men that were positioned as good teachers in the beginning, loose their ways with time, as they are given status and powers over decisions and others in the congregation, as well as in society. Under these influences, faith is replaced by greed. Discordance results among people, leading to divisions within the Church. Unavoidably, the spirit of the Church is affected when the work of God is not manifested anymore. The interpretation of the Gospel is changed to suit the personal agenda in pursuit of benefits. As a result, people leave the Church, whose mission once clear, becomes the vision of a few in power. The congregation seeks a purer teaching in other places where love, conscience, and faith are its foundation, after loosing hope that false teachers will acknowledge and will repent from their soul-driven nature. Where Satan dwells, the fruit perishes.