Tuesday | 14 July 2026
A messenger who is walking in the way of Balaam demonstrates that they are ashamed of the gospel of God, on account of the shameful pursuit of their own expression. Unavoidably, they minister another gospel that promotes the idolatrous expression of self-righteousness and embraces mixture with other religious cultures. In doing so, those who join their alternative conversation are caused to stumble in relation to their sanctification that is revealed through the word of present truth.
We do not need to stumble in this manner. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, ‘Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences [lit: stumbling blocks], contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them’. Rom 16:17. The key for us all is to receive with meekness the word that is proceeding from the fellowship of the presbytery that invites us to join the fellowship of the presbytery.
Speaking to the church in Pergamum, who had overcome the doctrine of Balaam, Jesus promised, ‘To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white [lit: brilliant] stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.’ Rev 2:17.
The ‘hidden manna’ is the privilege of knowing and doing the will of Him who sends us. As Jesus said, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’ Joh 4:32. ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’ Joh 4:34.
The white stone that we receive is the capacity to reveal the virtue of Christ as a unique son of God! We are called to be living stones who are built on Christ according to our sanctification. Jesus Christ is the elect and precious Cornerstone. As we are built on Him as living, elect, and precious stones, we show forth the excellencies, or brilliance, of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light. 1Pe 2:9.
Further Study:
1 Peter 2
References:
Rom 16:17
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Rev 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.
Joh 4:32
But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat of which you do not know.’
Joh 4:34
Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.’
1Pe 2:9
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.