In Exodus 32 we read of the incident of the golden calf. In Moses’ absence the people called upon Aaron to “make us gods, which shall go on before us” (Exod. 32:1). Aaron then called for the golden earrings and “fashioned” it with a graving tool, after he had made it molten calf (Exod. 32:4). “And when Aaron saw it, he built an alter before it; and Aaron set down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play” (Exod. 32:5,6).
As we close chapter 32 we read in verse 35, “And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made”. Johnny Ramsey, in Volume One of “PRACTICAL BIBLE STUDIES” writes, “When we participate in an act of evil, whether we are the leader in such shameful conduct or not, we become partakers of the ungodly activity” (Pg. 24). Participation in or even aid to and condoning ungodliness provides guilt by association.
This very principle is brought out in both the negative and positive as we look at 2 John and 3 John. Let us notice these two instances and then make some practical application.
In 2 John 9-11 we read:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds”.
Linking ourselves with a doctrine, even if it is by just bidding them that God be with them, associates us with the guilt of that false teaching. On the positive side we read in 3 John 6-8:
“Which have born witness of thy charity before the church whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well: because that for his name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth”.
The point is that association with God by doing his will naturally associates us with those who are also doing His will, though our services and abilities may differ. It tells us that though we may not be doing the teaching, we can become associated with and linked to the teaching of a doctrine and thus held accountable for what is taught. It is clear, association, in any way, with ungodliness makes us partakers of their evil deeds.
Paul would simply state in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil”. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Our responsibility to false doctrine and ungodliness is two-fold. First, we must not fellowship it; and secondly, we must reprove it. To compromise with association is to become guilty of the sin whether we are the leaders or not.
With this in mind let’s each study our Bibles more and more.
-Don Walker
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