Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God has said,
"I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
"THEREFORE, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPERATE," says the lord, "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; AND I WILL WELCOME YOU.
"AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO ME," says the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18NASB
When one decides to follow Jesus, there is a line drawn that cannot be crossed. As we read in Paul's epistle to the Church at Corinth, there is no partnership between righteousness and lawlessness, no fellowship between light and darkness, no harmony between Christ and the devil, no common ground between a believer and an unbeliever, and no agreement between the temple of God, and idols. As temples of the living God who dwells within us, what can we possibly be thinking in compromising with worldliness and sin? The path of following Christ stands in complete opposition to the selfish ways of the world we live in. As Christians, we are governed by a set of values that go against the values that the world holds. Two sets of standards, in total contradiction to one another, and yet the modern professing "Church" has chosen to blend these two systems.
Congregations and denominations have grossly departed from Christ and the absolute standard that He calls us to. This is not something that has happened overnight, people have allowed it to creep in over time. Churches grappled with the word of God, and decided that it was not infallible, was not inspired, and was subject to man's interpretation. This only opened the door to the sin and compromise we see so prevalent today in many of our denominations.
Understand very carefully that these "Churches" have completely departed from the faith! One cannot condone, accept, and promote immorality, and yet be a born again follower of Christ. It is absolutely impossible. Look at what Paul writes in Romans 1:18-32. We see sexual immorality all around us, in the form of adultery, sex outside of marriage, and homosexuality. Understand very carefully what God is telling us in this passage of scripture. This immorality is the result of God giving up a people to their degrading passions, because they have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, worshipping the creature rather than the creator. When you see a nation promoting deviant sexual behavior, it is a sign of that nation being rejected of God. When you see a denomination promoting sexual sin, that denomination has departed from God, and as a result, He has given them over to pursue their evil passions. Without the restraint of God, man, left to himself, progresses farther down the path of sin, entrenching himself deeper and deeper in depravity.
What we are seeing today in our modern denominations is not a church "loving people into the kingdom", but a group of depraved people, void of the presence of God. And it is not only sexual immorality we see, but also greed, envy, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, murder, slander, boastful people, arrogance, disobedience to parents, unloving people, untrustworthy individuals, and unmerciful people (Romans 1:29-31). We expect the "world to be filled with people like this, but it is found in the professing "Church" as well. Paul tells us that men will be lovers of money, lovers of self, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, conceited, loving pleasure more than God. They hold a form of godliness; in other words, they look like a church, appear to be "Christians" by some of the things that they say and do, but their lives are void of the true power that the gospel brings, as evidenced by their gross departure into sin (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
I am not referring to the true Church, those who are blood bought, born again, and following Christ. These are the ones on the narrow path to life, while the world rushes to destruction (Matt 7:13-14). There are those who fear the Lord, and grieve over the sin and compromise that the world calls "Christianity." They know what it is to come out and be separate from the world and its ways. They experience the scorn and ridicule as they stand alone for what is right in the eyes of God. These individuals cry out to God for revival, they proclaim the truth even though nobody wants to hear it. Sadly they are accused of being judgmental, and self righteous, by the very ones who are being deceived.
God calls us to come out from the midst of this sinful world and be separate. There is no possibility of compromise in the kingdom of God. You are either all in, and serving Him alone, or you are perishing in your sin. You cannot serve two masters (Matt 6:24). Light and darkness cannot mix, it is impossible to stand for righteousness, while promoting lawlessness. What we have recently seen in many of the major denominations, is a deadly deception, that is leading thousands into hell.
We need a God sent awakening in our land today. As followers of Christ, who are seeking His kingdom and righteousness, we must fall to our knees in humility and prayer; seeking His face, that He would come and bring revival, and healing to this land. It is our only hope.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
False Grace.
And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), "Let us do evil that good may come?" Their condemnation is just.
Romans 3:8 NASB
We read in the epistle of Jude that we are to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all handed down to the saints. Just as in the days of the apostle Paul and the early Church, there are many today who also declare that the grace of God gives license to sin (Romans 6:1, 15; Jude 1:3-4). Throughout history, the Church has been plagued with the teaching that grace allows one to remain in sin, and yet have unbroken fellowship with Christ. Some grant that fellowship can be broken, but salvation is never questioned, even if one's life is filled with immorality and sin. This however, is a grave mistake, a deadly error, with dreadful consequences.
Notice in Jude 1:3 that the faith was handed down once for all. This means that what was taught in the beginning by Christ and the apostles is still valid and in force today as well. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, which means that the truths of Christian faith and practice remain the same throughout time (Hebrews 13:7-9).
Jude tells us that persons have crept in unnoticed, bringing their heresy with them into the church. Paul warns that false teachers will arise from within the Church (Acts 20:29-31). This is what makes it so deadly. We are fooled by individuals who we may have known all of our lives; individuals who we have listened to and trusted in the past, who now introduce destructive heresies, teaching that it is okay to retain sin in one's life. We see much of this. There are many individuals who have been deceived into believing that they are covered by grace; that they are Christians, but their lives have never been transformed through the new birth, as made evident by their persistent sinful lifestyles.
John tells us that if we claim to have fellowship with Christ, but walk in the darkness, we lie, and are not practicing the truth (1 John 1:6). We are also warned that the one who practices sin is of the devil, as Jesus has come to destroy the devil's works. Therefore one who is born of God no longer sins, but practices righteousness (1 John 3:7-10). This is what the word of God has to say about the change that grace brings to the life of a true child of God. True grace brings about a change of heart and life in those who have put their trust in Christ (Titus 2:11-13).
Jude uses three examples to show us that God's grace is not meant as a mere cover up for sin. Sin does have consequences if it is not forsaken.
1. Ancient Israel's unbelief.
God, through signs, wonders, and great power, delivered the nation of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Yet they rebelled at His word, refusing to enter into the land of promise. That generation died in the wilderness because of their unbelief/disobedience (Hebrews 3:16-19). God chose these people, delivered them out of bondage, but yet destroyed those who refused to obey Him because of their unbelief (Jude 1:5).
2. The fallen angels.
The angels in heaven are pure, having been created by God that way. Yet we see that those who rebelled against Him are kept in bonds for the day of judgment. It is even possible for the angels to sin, and they are not exempt from the penalty of it (Jude 1:6).
3. Sodom and Gomorrah.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is put forth as an example to us that God will judge sin. They are an example to us of punishment by eternal fire. It is ironic that the very sins that brought destruction upon these cities are the sins that so many false teachers today accept and promote within the Church today. Sexual immorality, including homosexuality, was an abomination to God then, and still is now. Grace does not, and cannot cover sin that is not put away (Jude 1:7).
Do not be deceived by false teaching (Ephesians 5:5-6). God's wrath will come upon those who disobey Him. Whether you believe in eternal security or not, the fact remains that if one is living a life of sin, that individuals shows that he or she has no eternal life in them. Once again, the one who is born of God does not sin. The child of God lives righteously because they have been born again. Their lives have been transformed by the grace and power of God.
This is not to say that a Christian is incapable of sin. It is indeed possible for a Child of God to sin. This world is filled with trials and temptations, and Christians are not exempt from them. John writes so that we will not sin, but if we do we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). However John does not mean that we can presume upon grace. Once again grace does not give license to sin. Sin in a believer is the exception, not the rule. The heart's intent of the Christian is to please God. The true child of God lives to honor Christ. Out of love for God, they avoid sin. Should they fall in a moment of weakness, they confess it and forsake it, and go on with God. This is different from one who desires to live in sin, but yet trusts that God will forgive them even though they have no real desire to live a life that pleases Him.
God is a gracious God, and in His great mercy He has offered us grace, in Christ, to be reconciled to Him, empowering us to live in accordance with His will. Do not trifle with God's grace. If it has not changed your life, it is not grace.
Romans 3:8 NASB
We read in the epistle of Jude that we are to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all handed down to the saints. Just as in the days of the apostle Paul and the early Church, there are many today who also declare that the grace of God gives license to sin (Romans 6:1, 15; Jude 1:3-4). Throughout history, the Church has been plagued with the teaching that grace allows one to remain in sin, and yet have unbroken fellowship with Christ. Some grant that fellowship can be broken, but salvation is never questioned, even if one's life is filled with immorality and sin. This however, is a grave mistake, a deadly error, with dreadful consequences.
Notice in Jude 1:3 that the faith was handed down once for all. This means that what was taught in the beginning by Christ and the apostles is still valid and in force today as well. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, which means that the truths of Christian faith and practice remain the same throughout time (Hebrews 13:7-9).
Jude tells us that persons have crept in unnoticed, bringing their heresy with them into the church. Paul warns that false teachers will arise from within the Church (Acts 20:29-31). This is what makes it so deadly. We are fooled by individuals who we may have known all of our lives; individuals who we have listened to and trusted in the past, who now introduce destructive heresies, teaching that it is okay to retain sin in one's life. We see much of this. There are many individuals who have been deceived into believing that they are covered by grace; that they are Christians, but their lives have never been transformed through the new birth, as made evident by their persistent sinful lifestyles.
John tells us that if we claim to have fellowship with Christ, but walk in the darkness, we lie, and are not practicing the truth (1 John 1:6). We are also warned that the one who practices sin is of the devil, as Jesus has come to destroy the devil's works. Therefore one who is born of God no longer sins, but practices righteousness (1 John 3:7-10). This is what the word of God has to say about the change that grace brings to the life of a true child of God. True grace brings about a change of heart and life in those who have put their trust in Christ (Titus 2:11-13).
Jude uses three examples to show us that God's grace is not meant as a mere cover up for sin. Sin does have consequences if it is not forsaken.
1. Ancient Israel's unbelief.
God, through signs, wonders, and great power, delivered the nation of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Yet they rebelled at His word, refusing to enter into the land of promise. That generation died in the wilderness because of their unbelief/disobedience (Hebrews 3:16-19). God chose these people, delivered them out of bondage, but yet destroyed those who refused to obey Him because of their unbelief (Jude 1:5).
2. The fallen angels.
The angels in heaven are pure, having been created by God that way. Yet we see that those who rebelled against Him are kept in bonds for the day of judgment. It is even possible for the angels to sin, and they are not exempt from the penalty of it (Jude 1:6).
3. Sodom and Gomorrah.
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is put forth as an example to us that God will judge sin. They are an example to us of punishment by eternal fire. It is ironic that the very sins that brought destruction upon these cities are the sins that so many false teachers today accept and promote within the Church today. Sexual immorality, including homosexuality, was an abomination to God then, and still is now. Grace does not, and cannot cover sin that is not put away (Jude 1:7).
Do not be deceived by false teaching (Ephesians 5:5-6). God's wrath will come upon those who disobey Him. Whether you believe in eternal security or not, the fact remains that if one is living a life of sin, that individuals shows that he or she has no eternal life in them. Once again, the one who is born of God does not sin. The child of God lives righteously because they have been born again. Their lives have been transformed by the grace and power of God.
This is not to say that a Christian is incapable of sin. It is indeed possible for a Child of God to sin. This world is filled with trials and temptations, and Christians are not exempt from them. John writes so that we will not sin, but if we do we have an advocate in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1). However John does not mean that we can presume upon grace. Once again grace does not give license to sin. Sin in a believer is the exception, not the rule. The heart's intent of the Christian is to please God. The true child of God lives to honor Christ. Out of love for God, they avoid sin. Should they fall in a moment of weakness, they confess it and forsake it, and go on with God. This is different from one who desires to live in sin, but yet trusts that God will forgive them even though they have no real desire to live a life that pleases Him.
God is a gracious God, and in His great mercy He has offered us grace, in Christ, to be reconciled to Him, empowering us to live in accordance with His will. Do not trifle with God's grace. If it has not changed your life, it is not grace.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Lessons From David's Sin.
It is a grievous thing when a child of God allows sin in his or her life. This is what happened to King David, when he committed adultery, and murder, in taking the wife of Uriah (2 Samuel 11:1-27).
We are shown three things that made David's sin so offensive to God.
1. He despised the word of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:9).
God Had been generous to David, and if that had not been enough, He would have given him even more (2 Samuel 12:7-8). By striking down Uriah, and taking his wife, David showed that he despised the word of the Lord. To despise something is to count it as nothing; it does not mean anything to you, it is unimportant. One who despises the word of the Lord does not regard it as important enough to listen to or obey. Can you imagine saying to God, "I despise your word. I do not care about it, and I will not obey it." Sounds shocking, and most of us would not dare say it to God, but when we knowingly disobey the word of the Lord, we are saying this by our actions. In our hearts, we despise the word of the Lord.
2. David despised the Lord (2 Samuel 12:10).
Not only did David show contempt for the word of the Lord, he also showed contempt for God, who gave that word. In disobeying the command of God, David showed that he despised God within his heart. To disregard the commands of God, is to disregard God who gave those commands. Once again, we would never dare to tell God that we despise Him, but our actions speak loudly, betraying the true state of our hearts. It is nothing but arrogant pride to rise up in disobedience to God. We are placing ourselves above Him when we do this.
3. His sin gave occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14).
When the enemies of Christ see professed Christians living in sin, they take occasion to mock and scorn Christianity. It is a grievous thing to bring reproach to Jesus in this way. The world looks at lukewarm Christianity with contempt. They want nothing of a gospel that leaves its followers looking just like the rest of the world. They think to themselves that they are really not any different than the Christianity that they see, so why do they need it? Who can tell the damage that has been done by Christians falling into public sin; and much worse, persisting in it, without a genuine confession, and forsaking it.
The writer of Hebrews warns us that under the new covenant we are held to a much higher standard (Hebrews 10:26-31). Notice that when we as Christians fall into unrepentant sin, we
1. Trample underfoot the Son of God.
2. Regard as unclean the blood of the covenant, by which we are sanctified.
3. We insult the Spirit of grace.
Once again, we would never say that Jesus means nothing to us, or that His blood was unclean. We would never purposely insult the Holy Spirit, or make a mockery of the grace of God, but when we deliberately sin, this is what we are doing!
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31), but like David, we too can find grace. However, damage has been done to the cause of Christ. Others have seen, and now have an opportunity to mock God because of our sin. Let's learn from this unfortunate event in the life of David, and strive to live a life that brings glory and honor to the Savior who gave Himself for us.
We are shown three things that made David's sin so offensive to God.
1. He despised the word of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:9).
God Had been generous to David, and if that had not been enough, He would have given him even more (2 Samuel 12:7-8). By striking down Uriah, and taking his wife, David showed that he despised the word of the Lord. To despise something is to count it as nothing; it does not mean anything to you, it is unimportant. One who despises the word of the Lord does not regard it as important enough to listen to or obey. Can you imagine saying to God, "I despise your word. I do not care about it, and I will not obey it." Sounds shocking, and most of us would not dare say it to God, but when we knowingly disobey the word of the Lord, we are saying this by our actions. In our hearts, we despise the word of the Lord.
2. David despised the Lord (2 Samuel 12:10).
Not only did David show contempt for the word of the Lord, he also showed contempt for God, who gave that word. In disobeying the command of God, David showed that he despised God within his heart. To disregard the commands of God, is to disregard God who gave those commands. Once again, we would never dare to tell God that we despise Him, but our actions speak loudly, betraying the true state of our hearts. It is nothing but arrogant pride to rise up in disobedience to God. We are placing ourselves above Him when we do this.
3. His sin gave occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14).
When the enemies of Christ see professed Christians living in sin, they take occasion to mock and scorn Christianity. It is a grievous thing to bring reproach to Jesus in this way. The world looks at lukewarm Christianity with contempt. They want nothing of a gospel that leaves its followers looking just like the rest of the world. They think to themselves that they are really not any different than the Christianity that they see, so why do they need it? Who can tell the damage that has been done by Christians falling into public sin; and much worse, persisting in it, without a genuine confession, and forsaking it.
The writer of Hebrews warns us that under the new covenant we are held to a much higher standard (Hebrews 10:26-31). Notice that when we as Christians fall into unrepentant sin, we
1. Trample underfoot the Son of God.
2. Regard as unclean the blood of the covenant, by which we are sanctified.
3. We insult the Spirit of grace.
Once again, we would never say that Jesus means nothing to us, or that His blood was unclean. We would never purposely insult the Holy Spirit, or make a mockery of the grace of God, but when we deliberately sin, this is what we are doing!
It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31), but like David, we too can find grace. However, damage has been done to the cause of Christ. Others have seen, and now have an opportunity to mock God because of our sin. Let's learn from this unfortunate event in the life of David, and strive to live a life that brings glory and honor to the Savior who gave Himself for us.
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Modern False Prophets.
Jeremiah 23:9-22
We have a strong word from the Lord in this portion of scripture. Just as false prophets in the days of Jeremiah were perverting the word of God and leading the people astray, so also today, we see many of our modern pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders leading people astray in the same way.
Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing:
The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood;
And they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness.
All of them have become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:14 NASB
In the days of Judah's backsliding, God sent prophets to warn of the impending judgment that was sure to come upon the nation. As we read in these verses, the prophets and priests were walking in sin, and teaching others to do so as well. They were, by their deceptive teaching, encouraging others to persist in all of their evil doings. They were calling good evil, and evil good (Isaiah 5:20), in the same fashion we see today, where so many of the modern teachers have changed the biblical definition of what constitutes sin, or the punishment of it.
As Jeremiah, and others sent by God, proclaimed God's impending judgment, these false prophets pronounced peace and safety, in spite of the fact that the nation was walking in stubborn rebellion against God and His commands (Jeremiah 23:17).
Notice that God says He did not send these lying prophets. He did not send them or speak to them, but they ran and prophesied on their own (Jeremiah 23:21).
But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.
Jeremiah 23:22 NASB
It is no different today. If you desire to recognize and know a false prophet or teacher, we have these traits by which we can spot them.
1. A false prophet does not hear from God. They run on with their own words, speaking things from out of their own imaginations (Jeremiah 23:16). So many of our modern spiritual leaders are full of deception. They malign the truth, despise God, and lead people astray with their lies. When you hear a teacher redefining sin, when things that are clearly set forth in scripture as sin, are now being tolerated, and even called good, you can be sure that the one teaching these errors, is a false prophet. Men love darkness, and a false teacher will invent teachings to keep men in that darkness. The word of God given to us is our standard. Whenever you hear someone deviating from it, beware. Watch out for many of our "modern translations" as well. Crafty men have changed much of what God intends for us to know in versions such as the Mirror bible, which was written by a universalist to promote universalism. Just like the Jehovah's Witnesses, modern false prophets will change the scriptures to line up with their teachings.
2. False teachers reject the idea of judgment. Look at the teachers in Jeremiah's time. They assured the nation that there would be peace and safety instead of judgment. Judah was plunged into idolatry, and all of the sinful behavior that flows out of a heart that turns from God, yet these leaders rejected the word of the Lord, and fed the nation a lie. We see this today as well, as many propagate a soft watered down, seeker version of the gospel that somehow allows one to avoid any wrath or punishment for sin, but allows one to remain in that sin. God is very clear in warning us to not be deceived by empty words. His wrath will come upon disobedience. The immoral and covetous individual will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5-6). False teachers today will tell you that you can live unrepentant lives full of sin, yet still go to heaven. They explain away, or ignore all of the warnings in scripture that speak to the contrary. Watch out for a message that promises you peace and safety without repentance. A gospel that does not change your heart and actions is no gospel at all.
3. False teachers do not attempt to turn people away from their sin. As we read, if these prophets had stood in the council of the Lord, they would have turned the people back from their evil ways and deeds (Jeremiah 23:22). Once again, a false prophet will comfort and encourage you in your sin. They have no desire to preach against sin, or to call people to forsake their evil ways. They seek to avoid all controversy, and instead tolerate and condone all manner of wicked behavior. If they point out sin, they will lose numbers and money. Look at the mega churches that fill the land today. They are filled with all manner of people who are living in all manner of sin. These people are being lied to Sunday after Sunday, as they are comforted and encouraged that their lifestyles are okay in God's eyes. No need to repent, no need to feel guilty about sin, because God loves you just as you are. The truth is that God loves you enough that He warns you of sin and its consequences. He loves you enough to have sent Jesus to die for you, so that you may return to Him in repentance and faith, and be saved. He loves you enough to not leave you in your sin, but to change you if you will let Him.
Jesus tells us to beware of false prophets who will come in sheep's clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves (Matt 7:15-16). They look like pastors and teachers, they are leaders in churches. They wear nice suits and draw large crowds with their uplifting messages, But where is the fruit? Something is terribly wrong when people are dying in their sins day after day and these hypocrites are tolerating sin, and encouraging people to persist in their sin. Something is wrong when things that have been declared as sinful behavior, and accepted as such for thousands of years, are now called lifestyles. Woe to those who drag iniquity with cords of falsehood, and sin as if with cart ropes (Isaiah 5:18 NASB). They call evil good, and good evil, and substitute darkness for light, and light for darkness. They are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21).
The world is full of false prophets who desire to lead you away from the true gospel, and from true faith in God. Jesus tells us that we will know them by their fruits. Be on guard and test everything by the word of God, for only in Him can we safely abide.
We have a strong word from the Lord in this portion of scripture. Just as false prophets in the days of Jeremiah were perverting the word of God and leading the people astray, so also today, we see many of our modern pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders leading people astray in the same way.
Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing:
The committing of adultery and walking in falsehood;
And they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one has turned back from his wickedness.
All of them have become to Me like Sodom, and her inhabitants like Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23:14 NASB
In the days of Judah's backsliding, God sent prophets to warn of the impending judgment that was sure to come upon the nation. As we read in these verses, the prophets and priests were walking in sin, and teaching others to do so as well. They were, by their deceptive teaching, encouraging others to persist in all of their evil doings. They were calling good evil, and evil good (Isaiah 5:20), in the same fashion we see today, where so many of the modern teachers have changed the biblical definition of what constitutes sin, or the punishment of it.
As Jeremiah, and others sent by God, proclaimed God's impending judgment, these false prophets pronounced peace and safety, in spite of the fact that the nation was walking in stubborn rebellion against God and His commands (Jeremiah 23:17).
Notice that God says He did not send these lying prophets. He did not send them or speak to them, but they ran and prophesied on their own (Jeremiah 23:21).
But if they had stood in My council, then they would have announced My words to My people, and would have turned them back from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.
Jeremiah 23:22 NASB
It is no different today. If you desire to recognize and know a false prophet or teacher, we have these traits by which we can spot them.
1. A false prophet does not hear from God. They run on with their own words, speaking things from out of their own imaginations (Jeremiah 23:16). So many of our modern spiritual leaders are full of deception. They malign the truth, despise God, and lead people astray with their lies. When you hear a teacher redefining sin, when things that are clearly set forth in scripture as sin, are now being tolerated, and even called good, you can be sure that the one teaching these errors, is a false prophet. Men love darkness, and a false teacher will invent teachings to keep men in that darkness. The word of God given to us is our standard. Whenever you hear someone deviating from it, beware. Watch out for many of our "modern translations" as well. Crafty men have changed much of what God intends for us to know in versions such as the Mirror bible, which was written by a universalist to promote universalism. Just like the Jehovah's Witnesses, modern false prophets will change the scriptures to line up with their teachings.
2. False teachers reject the idea of judgment. Look at the teachers in Jeremiah's time. They assured the nation that there would be peace and safety instead of judgment. Judah was plunged into idolatry, and all of the sinful behavior that flows out of a heart that turns from God, yet these leaders rejected the word of the Lord, and fed the nation a lie. We see this today as well, as many propagate a soft watered down, seeker version of the gospel that somehow allows one to avoid any wrath or punishment for sin, but allows one to remain in that sin. God is very clear in warning us to not be deceived by empty words. His wrath will come upon disobedience. The immoral and covetous individual will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:5-6). False teachers today will tell you that you can live unrepentant lives full of sin, yet still go to heaven. They explain away, or ignore all of the warnings in scripture that speak to the contrary. Watch out for a message that promises you peace and safety without repentance. A gospel that does not change your heart and actions is no gospel at all.
3. False teachers do not attempt to turn people away from their sin. As we read, if these prophets had stood in the council of the Lord, they would have turned the people back from their evil ways and deeds (Jeremiah 23:22). Once again, a false prophet will comfort and encourage you in your sin. They have no desire to preach against sin, or to call people to forsake their evil ways. They seek to avoid all controversy, and instead tolerate and condone all manner of wicked behavior. If they point out sin, they will lose numbers and money. Look at the mega churches that fill the land today. They are filled with all manner of people who are living in all manner of sin. These people are being lied to Sunday after Sunday, as they are comforted and encouraged that their lifestyles are okay in God's eyes. No need to repent, no need to feel guilty about sin, because God loves you just as you are. The truth is that God loves you enough that He warns you of sin and its consequences. He loves you enough to have sent Jesus to die for you, so that you may return to Him in repentance and faith, and be saved. He loves you enough to not leave you in your sin, but to change you if you will let Him.
Jesus tells us to beware of false prophets who will come in sheep's clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves (Matt 7:15-16). They look like pastors and teachers, they are leaders in churches. They wear nice suits and draw large crowds with their uplifting messages, But where is the fruit? Something is terribly wrong when people are dying in their sins day after day and these hypocrites are tolerating sin, and encouraging people to persist in their sin. Something is wrong when things that have been declared as sinful behavior, and accepted as such for thousands of years, are now called lifestyles. Woe to those who drag iniquity with cords of falsehood, and sin as if with cart ropes (Isaiah 5:18 NASB). They call evil good, and good evil, and substitute darkness for light, and light for darkness. They are wise in their own eyes, and clever in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21).
The world is full of false prophets who desire to lead you away from the true gospel, and from true faith in God. Jesus tells us that we will know them by their fruits. Be on guard and test everything by the word of God, for only in Him can we safely abide.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Strive to Enter the Narrow Door.
We seem to have this idea that the Christian life requires little or no effort on our part. It is true on the one hand that salvation is the gift of God, received by faith, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). But we also have the words of Jesus as recorded in Luke's gospel,
"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME ALL YOU EVIL DOERS.' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth there when you see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves being cast out. And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."
Luke 13:24-30 NASB
The word strive is a strong word that means to gain the mastery of, to agonize in contention for something. To strive is to give an all out effort in the obtaining of a prize. In this instance Christ is telling us that we must make every effort to enter through the narrow door. The four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus were an example to us of what it means to strive, or make an effort. They were not discouraged by the large crowd surrounding Jesus, but instead, dug a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching, and lowered their friend in front of Christ (Mark 2:2-4).
We are told that many will try to enter, but will not be able. Elsewhere we read that there will be FEW that enter the narrow gate, and walk the narrow path that leads to life (Matt 7:13).
The problem that multitudes of professing believers have is their lack of faith, evidenced by their lack of commitment to Christ and His call on their lives. They may desire to live better lives; perhaps to even give up some sinful habits, but their desires do not run deep enough to make a radical break with sin. For many, their profession is based upon an emotional experience with no depth. They may have said a prayer, made a commitment, but they failed to count the cost as Jesus tells us we must do (Luke 14:28). Just like the people in Jesus' day, there are many today who are familiar with Jesus. There are those who are content to believe the historical facts about Christ, but their faith remains in their heads and not their hearts, and their lives are unchanged. It is the same with those who are "Christian" based on the fact they grew up in a Christian home. Others are satisfied with religious forms and rituals. They, like those who ate and drank in the presence of Jesus, and heard Him teaching in the streets, will be shocked on the day they stand before Him and hear "I do not know where you are from." They have missed the new birth, through which we must enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-7).
Just as birth is painful and requires great effort to bring a life into the world, so also it is painful, and requires great effort to be spiritually born anew into the kingdom of God. Once again, I am aware that works will never save us, and it is impossible to earn our salvation, or to be able to impress God enough to save us. It is not a case of being able to somehow trust in God, and trust in works, and being able to get to heaven.
You see, we must be stripped of pride, stripped of self, and this is a painful process and few can endure it, but God is opposed to the proud. Those who are humble, are those who receive grace (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5). The new birth is a radical change. We come just as we are, but we will never enter the kingdom just as we are. We come to surrender, to lay down our sinful lives, and be changed by the washing of rebirth, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). This surrender, this laying down of our lives is repentance, a complete change of mind and action. It is a turning from ourselves to God. It involves giving up our sin. It is painful to see ourselves as God sees us, but once we do we will turn from our selfish desires and actions and give ourselves to follow Christ.
Jesus calls us to follow Him, and to follow Him requires that we deny ourselves, take up our cross; that we renounce all we have, that we completely lose our lives for Him (John 12:25-26; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 14:27-33). To follow Jesus requires that we obey Him (Luke 6:46; John 14:21, 15:14). Our obedience does not save us. If we are following Jesus from a motive of self preservation, we have failed to lose our life for Him. We are still in control of our life, and have failed to enter in through the narrow door. The door is indeed narrow, and one must squeeze through it painfully. We must follow Him for His sake, and love Him for His sake. It is not about what He can do for us, but about losing our lives for Him.
It is a narrow gate and an equally narrow road that leads to life, with few on it, while the broad path to destruction is filled with souls (Matt 7:13-14). The cost is high, and few are truly willing to pay it.
"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door saying, 'Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from.' Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets'; and He will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you are from; DEPART FROM ME ALL YOU EVIL DOERS.' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth there when you see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves being cast out. And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last."
Luke 13:24-30 NASB
The word strive is a strong word that means to gain the mastery of, to agonize in contention for something. To strive is to give an all out effort in the obtaining of a prize. In this instance Christ is telling us that we must make every effort to enter through the narrow door. The four men who brought the paralytic to Jesus were an example to us of what it means to strive, or make an effort. They were not discouraged by the large crowd surrounding Jesus, but instead, dug a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was teaching, and lowered their friend in front of Christ (Mark 2:2-4).
We are told that many will try to enter, but will not be able. Elsewhere we read that there will be FEW that enter the narrow gate, and walk the narrow path that leads to life (Matt 7:13).
The problem that multitudes of professing believers have is their lack of faith, evidenced by their lack of commitment to Christ and His call on their lives. They may desire to live better lives; perhaps to even give up some sinful habits, but their desires do not run deep enough to make a radical break with sin. For many, their profession is based upon an emotional experience with no depth. They may have said a prayer, made a commitment, but they failed to count the cost as Jesus tells us we must do (Luke 14:28). Just like the people in Jesus' day, there are many today who are familiar with Jesus. There are those who are content to believe the historical facts about Christ, but their faith remains in their heads and not their hearts, and their lives are unchanged. It is the same with those who are "Christian" based on the fact they grew up in a Christian home. Others are satisfied with religious forms and rituals. They, like those who ate and drank in the presence of Jesus, and heard Him teaching in the streets, will be shocked on the day they stand before Him and hear "I do not know where you are from." They have missed the new birth, through which we must enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-7).
Just as birth is painful and requires great effort to bring a life into the world, so also it is painful, and requires great effort to be spiritually born anew into the kingdom of God. Once again, I am aware that works will never save us, and it is impossible to earn our salvation, or to be able to impress God enough to save us. It is not a case of being able to somehow trust in God, and trust in works, and being able to get to heaven.
You see, we must be stripped of pride, stripped of self, and this is a painful process and few can endure it, but God is opposed to the proud. Those who are humble, are those who receive grace (James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:5). The new birth is a radical change. We come just as we are, but we will never enter the kingdom just as we are. We come to surrender, to lay down our sinful lives, and be changed by the washing of rebirth, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-7). This surrender, this laying down of our lives is repentance, a complete change of mind and action. It is a turning from ourselves to God. It involves giving up our sin. It is painful to see ourselves as God sees us, but once we do we will turn from our selfish desires and actions and give ourselves to follow Christ.
Jesus calls us to follow Him, and to follow Him requires that we deny ourselves, take up our cross; that we renounce all we have, that we completely lose our lives for Him (John 12:25-26; Mark 8:34-35; Luke 14:27-33). To follow Jesus requires that we obey Him (Luke 6:46; John 14:21, 15:14). Our obedience does not save us. If we are following Jesus from a motive of self preservation, we have failed to lose our life for Him. We are still in control of our life, and have failed to enter in through the narrow door. The door is indeed narrow, and one must squeeze through it painfully. We must follow Him for His sake, and love Him for His sake. It is not about what He can do for us, but about losing our lives for Him.
It is a narrow gate and an equally narrow road that leads to life, with few on it, while the broad path to destruction is filled with souls (Matt 7:13-14). The cost is high, and few are truly willing to pay it.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
True Greatness.
Jesus teaches us a lesson on true greatness in Matthew 18:1-10. Our human nature craves attention. In the flesh, we desire the praises of man. We often esteem ourselves more important than we ought, and in the process, we neglect those around us. This is how the world system runs. It is all about self. Everything is geared towards building up me and my little kingdom.
Jesus tells us that if we would be truly great in His kingdom, we must humble ourselves as a little child (Matt 18:3-4). On another occasion, parents were bringing their children to Jesus so that He could bless them. The disciples were indignant, and rebuked them (Luke 18:15-18). The disciples no doubt, thought that Jesus had more important things to do, than to be bothered by little children. In their mindset children were insignificant. They had big things to do, important things, and could not waste time on something that they saw as insignificant.
That is how it is in the adult world today as well. We tend to get busy, wrapped up in our pursuits, at the expense of those we consider insignificant.
Jesus is telling us that if we would be truly great, we must become insignificant ourselves! We must become small in our own eyes. Just as the disciples despised the little ones coming to Jesus, we too must be willing to be despised by the world. It is not about us, our desires, our agendas, or our craving for attention and praise. Pride has got to go.
James tells us that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the Humble (James 4:5-10). He tells us that we must submit ourselves to God, humbling ourselves in His presence. Peter also tells us to submit to each other in humility, casting all of our care upon Him, because God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-7). It takes humility to get along with each other. Where we fail is when we demand our way, and our rights. This is a huge reason why we see so much division, and so little power in many Churches today.
Paul exhorts us to empty ourselves of pride and selfish ambition. Instead, we are to put others first. We are called to look out for each other, meeting the needs of one another, instead of living merely for ourselves. We have the example of Jesus who emptied Himself for us, taking on humanity, being obedient to death (Philippians 2:2-8). We are called to unity as brothers and sisters in Christ. We share a common bond as those who worship the living God. We have a common goal in advancing the kingdom of God. Let us lay aside all pride and selfish ambition, and truly love one another through the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:2-3; Col 3:14). It is when we are walking in brotherly love in all humility, that we will see the presence and power of God at work in and work through us.
Jesus tells us that if we would be truly great in His kingdom, we must humble ourselves as a little child (Matt 18:3-4). On another occasion, parents were bringing their children to Jesus so that He could bless them. The disciples were indignant, and rebuked them (Luke 18:15-18). The disciples no doubt, thought that Jesus had more important things to do, than to be bothered by little children. In their mindset children were insignificant. They had big things to do, important things, and could not waste time on something that they saw as insignificant.
That is how it is in the adult world today as well. We tend to get busy, wrapped up in our pursuits, at the expense of those we consider insignificant.
Jesus is telling us that if we would be truly great, we must become insignificant ourselves! We must become small in our own eyes. Just as the disciples despised the little ones coming to Jesus, we too must be willing to be despised by the world. It is not about us, our desires, our agendas, or our craving for attention and praise. Pride has got to go.
James tells us that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the Humble (James 4:5-10). He tells us that we must submit ourselves to God, humbling ourselves in His presence. Peter also tells us to submit to each other in humility, casting all of our care upon Him, because God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-7). It takes humility to get along with each other. Where we fail is when we demand our way, and our rights. This is a huge reason why we see so much division, and so little power in many Churches today.
Paul exhorts us to empty ourselves of pride and selfish ambition. Instead, we are to put others first. We are called to look out for each other, meeting the needs of one another, instead of living merely for ourselves. We have the example of Jesus who emptied Himself for us, taking on humanity, being obedient to death (Philippians 2:2-8). We are called to unity as brothers and sisters in Christ. We share a common bond as those who worship the living God. We have a common goal in advancing the kingdom of God. Let us lay aside all pride and selfish ambition, and truly love one another through the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:2-3; Col 3:14). It is when we are walking in brotherly love in all humility, that we will see the presence and power of God at work in and work through us.
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