There is division taking place in Christendom. The character of it is the difference between those who enter at the straight gate and are keeping the narrow way that leads to life, and those who are on Boardway and are filling their nets with both the simple, and the ones that have rejected the gate. The ones casting those nets are false teachers who have perfected a false gospel to lull those on Broadway into believing they are on the right road. They are also using the simple in their midst to make merchandise of them (2Pet 2:3), and to use them as Christian trappings for their trap. They speak great swelling words, and seek the admiration of great personalities.
These vain persons are themselves fooled, and follow after those clouds without water; those wandering stars to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever (Jude 1:13). The followers defend the false teachers. These are the thorns that the false prophets gather (Mat 7:16). When squeezed they do not bring forth sweetness, but they are bitter and caustic, and by them we also know that their tree is corrupt (Mat 7:18). We who are in the faith and know this must act. This we must do to those trees and those thorns: mark them. That is the only way they can be avoided.
When it comes to pointing out false teachers and exposing their false doctrines, we do not have a choice in the matter. The word of God implores us to this duty:
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Rom 16:17)
The word translated here for “mark” is a verb, it is an action word, and actually means not only to regard and consider, but to take aim at.
Indeed, this is a strong action, and it may provoke the thorns and the thistles, but which of you upon seeing a brother or a sister being served poison would not warn them? This is what they are doing to the harmless and young Christians in their nets; they are deceiving them. These are the simple for whom the imploration is given to expose the false teachers:
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 16:18).
We must by contending for the faith also reach into the nets of the false teachers and pull out the simple, having compassion. “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jud 1:23). These spotted garments are worn by those who have been glutinous in feeding on sweet empty calories of false doctrine, and our hope is to see them traded for white robes. Take aim!
