Read what the Apostle Paul told Timothy would take place at the end of this age - the end of six thousand years of man's misrule. "I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall turn to fables [un-truths - false doctrine- lies]" (2 Tim. 4:1-4).

One thing we all know; those who will not endure sound doctrine are willfully choosing their own destiny. We often hear such statements like: "We are staying in this church so we can help others." "We are staying here because the majority cannot be wrong." "We are staying here because Mr. Armstrong said, `Don't leave the church.'" "We are staying here because, if what you are saying is true, God would have revealed it to Mr. Armstrong." Or, "we visit all churches called Church of God because we are building bridges." Those who make such statements surely have not analyzed their thinking. And especially, they have not done so in the light of God's Holy scriptures. They have a superficial desire for religion.

We should not be foolish, but be striving to understand what the will of the Lord is - as we are told to do. "See then that you walk circumspectly, [that is objectively, cautious or prudent] not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is"(Eph. 5:15-17). We should take that advice. We should be exercising our senses so we might be able to discern between good and evil, right from wrong, truth from error, and not be tossed to and fro and carried away with every wind of doctrine that causes wrong decisions and actions. God's word, the Bible, is the standard of truth by which all religious bodies are to be measured. Paul refers to the people that make up the true spiritual body of Christ as "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground [foundation] of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15). One of the beatitudes says, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matt 5:6). The Bible uses great simplicity in conveying its truth to us. All of us understand what it means to be hungry or thirsty. Hunger and thirst is well exemplified on the Day of Atonement or on any day we choose to fast in the year to draw closer to our Eternal God. When the Bible says we should hunger and thirst after righteousness, it means we should have a strong and intense desire to know and follow righteousness. "But seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33). You and I know that acceptable righteousness can be found only in the revealed word of God - the teachings of God. Paul's beginning theme, when writing to the Romans, was teaching them "the righteousness of God." "For I am not ashamed of the gospel [teachings] of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16). Not only did the Jews have the first offering of this good news, but they had and still have the greatest need of it. Vs. 17, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith."

Righteousness is certainly not to be found in mankind's own vanity of wisdom. He - man would be committing a grave error if he thinks to establishes his own righteousness. "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10:1-3).

Listen to what Christ said, "Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, how know this man letters, having never learned?" (John 7:14-15). Why would they say that? The Jew's learning, then and now, consisted of the knowledge of their own private interpretation of the scriptures and from the traditions of their elders that were and are still taught at their own Jewish schools - out of the Babylonian Talmud and other oral writings! Contrast that to the Son of God's answer, "Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory: but he that seeks His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him" (John 7:16-18).

It should seem clear, if anyone reads and studies God's instruction book to know and understand God's righteousness and truth and then act upon it - he will never have spiritual thirst or hunger pangs. God's praise is given throughout the Bible to those who know and believe the truth. His condemnation is on all who have no love for the truth. "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness [believing and following man's oral laws]" (2 Thess. 2:9-12).

The Apostle Paul's judgmental words should be heeded by all who consider themselves part of the Church of God, because that is whom Paul was addressing. Paul understood a love of God's truth is necessary in order to be in God's kingdom. The Apostle Paul makes another clear reference that God wants all mankind to eventually have this love of truth so that they might come to know and understand His will for their salvation. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).

If God's called out ones, do not hold fast to sound words, they can become destitute of the truth. Paul, when writing to Timothy during the last few years of life said, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to Godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife's of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputes of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself" (1 Tim. 6: 3-5). This does not sound like we are to be running back and forth to all brands of churches, supporting their practices, thinking we are building bridges between what is truth and what is error. A bridge built on syncretism [the mixing of religions] will collapse! Paul wanted Timothy to be nourished up in words of faith and of God's sound doctrine. Earlier Paul told Timothy, "If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the Words of faith and of good doctrine [God`s truth], whereunto you have attained" (1 Tim. 4:6).

Paul also encouraged Timothy to charge men to teach no other doctrine. "As I besought you to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that you might charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables [myths and lies] and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than Godly edifying which is in faith: so do" (1 Tim. 1:3-4). Paul admonishes Titus to sharply rebuke those who gave heed to commandments of men which turn from the truth. "This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth" (Titus 1:13-14).

God's "sanctified" have been given the responsibility at the end of this age to be involved in upholding God's truth. It is our responsibility to condemn falsehood and the erroneous practices taught in Judaism's oral laws. When we [the Church of God, In Truth] mention "condemning falsehood and oral laws," immediately there are those who want to object and complain. They tell us it is wrong to condemn other religious teachings. They say to us, "Judge not that you be not judged" (Matt. 7:1). They seem to think this means we are not to judge or condemn untruth at all. Obviously this cannot be true, because Jesus Christ Himself said, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment"(John 7:24).

Having been given God's Holy Spirit, we should recognize there are types of judging which are wrong. We should not judge the secret motives of another person's heart. "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: And then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Cor. 4:5). Matthew relates that, we should not judge others more harshly or severely than we ourselves wish to be judged. "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, [deal out or allotted] it shall be measured to you again. And why behold you the mote [speck] that is in your brother's eye, but consider not the beam [post] that is in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:1-5). The scriptures soundly condemn hypocrisy. In the book of Romans, Paul reinforces the teaching that we should not judge others when we are guilty of the same thing. "Therefore you art inexcusable, O man, whosoever you are that judges: for wherein you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you that judge does the same things" (Rom. 2:1).

However, there are types of judging which are right and must be done. Let's look at a few examples of those beginning with Matthew. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:15-16). We see another warning in 1 John. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits [judge the spirit] whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1). A third witness to this type of judging is in the book of Romans. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them [judge them] which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned [that is from God's word]; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).

These passages demand of us a judging of those teachers who teach syncretism. This is vital to our spiritual well being. We are obligated to "judge righteous judgment" so that we can identify wolves in sheep's clothing and apostate church groups. The application of the passage, "Judge not that you be not judged" cannot mean that we are not to speak out against error, syncretism [mixing religions] and untruths, because Jesus often did. It is in His righteous steps we are to follow - it is His message we are to practice and preach. Christ condemned the Scribes' and Pharisees' false doctrines and unscriptural practices of His day in clear and forceful language. "But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in My Father's name, and you receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive" (John 5:42-43). Christ referred to the Scribes and Pharisees as, "You serpents, you generation of vipers, how can you escape the damnation [judgment] of hell?" (Matt. 23:33).

True Christians, those that are God's "sanctified" and chosen, are often labeled "Un-Christian" when they stand tall and reprove false teaching - even when they try to do it in the mildest way they know how. You would think that those who claim to love truth, would not object to using the Lord's method and words in combating syncretism [mixing religions], fables, and error! Yet when we use the Lord's method on some erroneous present day religious practice, we would be no more unkind or un-Christian than was our creator God. We would only be following the very thing He has commanded.

Read what Paul was inspired to assign Timothy, "I charge you therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort"(2 Tim. 4:1-2). Words such as reprove, rebuke and exhort, are all meant to censure, or express a strong disapproval; reprimand firmly; forbid; order not to do; charge; or accuse someone of wrong doing! Vs.2 continues, "With all longsuffering and doctrine." And in Vs. 3, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." ["Itching ears" means: endless curiosity; an unquenchable desire for variety; they get their ears tickled with teachers telling them what they want to hear]. Vs.4, "And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Or, in other words, believing every kind of stuff and nonsense. Those who reject God's truth "ban" the just judgment of God and "credit" the most evil matters.

As God's called, we must uphold and defend the truth found in God's written word! And we must expose and condemn the error and false teachings that are not found in God's instruction book for life! It is our duty to follow God's sound words of advice to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and to teach and turn peoples ears to the truth. James tells us our reward for doing so. "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). Surely all of us would want to do that! There is extreme danger in believing myths and errors. "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some" (2 Tim 2:16-18). False doctrine and the teaching of syncretism can grow and spread like cancer, eating away at a person's understanding of truth.

When giving Titus instructions on who to qualify for eldership, Paul warned that of some would try and deceive him. Paul said, he must be "Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake" (Titus 1: 9-11). [In other words, for a pay check - who's money belongs to God for His work]. The Apostle Peter adds some thoughts to Paul's advice for us in this area of concern. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, [false teachings] even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways [ having a harmful effect]; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not" (2 Pet. 2:1-3).

Anyone, who is holding to error and syncretism [the mixing of religions], will be condemned whether they be the instigator, promoter, or follower. There are many people today who willingly and knowingly fellowship with error - gross error such as postponing God's annual Holy Days! When their unscriptural practice is pointed out, they say, "If it is wrong God would have shown Mr. Armstrong. Some even admit they realize that the church of which they are a member is wrong in some of their teachings and are in fact, getting farther and farther from the truth.

The question of the moment then is, "Does recognition and denial of a certain error, free one from all responsibility in the matter?" Or, stated another way, should a person close his eyes to the error of syncretism and willingly stay in a group that he knows is wrong? The one who recognizes error in the church of which he belongs and does not react to it, has a far greater responsibility than he might think. Read what Paul told the Ephesian Brethren. "For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness [works of evil, false doctrine, un-truths, mixing religions], but rather reprove [rebuke or reprimand] them [this is speaking of righteously judging untruths]. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light: [light is God's word, His truth] for whatsoever doth make manifest [gives you the truth] is light. Wherefore he saith, awake you that sleeps, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, [cautiously] not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be you not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:9-17). In the book of Titus we will find two verses that most Churches of God want to ignore. "His witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, [criticize them sharply, judge them sharply] that they may be sound in the faith [faith in God's word, not oral words from the traditions of men!]" (Titus 1:13).

Every teaching from God's Church should be able to stand the closest doctrinal scrutiny! Paul went on to tell Titus in vs.14, to "not give heed to Jewish fables, [like syncretism] and commandments of men [traditions of men] that turn from the truth." Paul is only reminding Titus of Christ's words to the scribes and Pharisees. "Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. You hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, this people draw nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:6-9).

A disciple of God should not continue to have fellowship in practicing error, untruths and mixing relgions. Instead, he has the responsibility to reprove and warn those who are following a church that teaches a lie, falsehood and errors. Following the postponement rules of the Jewish Hebrew Calendar is following the traditions of man and is lying to God's called out ones. We are instructed that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16 ).

If a person raises no voice of opposition to error, untruth and syncretism, then by being silent he is giving his tacit approval and consent to those untruths and the traditions of men and thereby is also a partaker in the iniquity! How can anyone truly repent of an error while at the same time continuing to attend a church which teaches and practices those same errors? For someone to repent of an error, he must completely give up that error [come out of her my people!]. As long as a person is knowingly a member of a church that has such an error, such as teaching: its OK to postpone God's Holy Days or its OK to buy and sell on God's Sabbaths, or its OK to take up four additional un-commanded annual offerings, when God says, "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty" (Deut. 16:16) - then that person is living in sin! God tells us through James, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17-5:1). When a person is willingly associated with error, they are judged accordingly by God.

It is important that we keep ourselves unspotted from these sinful un-truths. And it is equally important that we follow God's truth in our faith and practice. Christ gives us some clear end time instructions. "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24).