Distinctive #1: Gospel Faith

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1:5

The first distinguishing mark of a gospel-centred church is gospel faith. We want to be about God our Saviour and Jesus Christ our hope—rooted in His truth, growing in His love. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.

But some people will be distracted. “Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion” (1:6). It’s rare that anyone decides to abandon the truth. It happens gradually.

There are four warning signs that a person is in danger of wandering away from the truth. Let’s look at them in the form of questions.

1. Am I always looking for something new?
Certain persons “devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies” (1:4). People who are deeply rooted in Christ are satisfied in Him, but if you’re always looking for something new, you could wander from the truth.

2. Do I like to talk while avoiding action?
Certain persons “have wandered away into vain discussion” (1:6). These folks are full of pious talk that masks an unholy life. If you see the Bible as ideas to be discussed rather than truth to be obeyed, you could easily wander from the truth.

3. Do I want to teach more than I want to learn?
Certain persons “desiring to be teachers” (1:7). These folks want to teach others but don’t really want to learn themselves. If you love to teach but do not love to learn, you are in danger of wandering.

4. Does my confidence exceed my knowledge?
Certain persons “desiring to be teachers… without understanding” (1:7). These people are supremely confident, forceful, high-handed. But Paul says they do not know what they are talking about.

If you find yourself answering “yes” to any of these four warnings, ask God to help you get back on the path to truth.