Be Not Deceived

I’ve been studying the religions of the world and some basic facts have come forward that bring the truth of God into focus.  Jesus said in John 14:3, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father but through me.”  God is Holy and you  can not stand in His presence if you are unholy.  Verse 15 says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  I have heard so much lately from ‘supposedly’ Christian churches that God loves man so much that He does not require any special effort on their part to be saved.  SUPPOSEDLY he will accept any type of lifestyle on our part and still forgive our sin and receive us into heaven while we are yet living that fallen lifestyle. 

More and more lately there have been statements that make fundamental Christians look like backward barbarians and the devil look like he is the most reasonable person in the world.  The homosexual community has practically taken over Hollywood and the film industry and regales us with gay and lesbian based themes that promote their agenda and lifestyle.  Ostensibly Christian performers surround themselves with gay and lesbian friends which is engineered to make them look non-judgmental and loving.  Sadly, God sees these same people as heretics to the faith, cowards who will not take a scriptural stand. 

This does not mean that I am promoting attacks against homosexuals or other faiths.  Jesus came to save souls.  Living for the Lord is not easy as evidenced in Matthew 7:13 ASV, “13 Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. 14 For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.”  That said, I do not agree with certain denominations who have viciously attacked gays and others with hatred and rage.  We are in a season of grace and as long as we are, we must respond to others with love and grace. 

Being gracious is not the same as supporting their wicked lifestyles but it might mean the difference between their salvation and eternal damnation.  As the old saying goes, “it’s easier to catch a fly with honey than with vinegar.”  You want them saved and sanctified?  Remind them with bands of love why the ways of Christ are superior to the ways of the world.

As for salvation, the Catholic church has sold indulgences for centuries to fund her building projects.  The basic tenets of Catholic faith are that you come to the Lord THROUGH the CATHOLIC CHURCH rather than become part of the church of God THROUGH CHRIST.  This gives the lie that the Pope can forgive sins and for a fee buy your loved ones out of purgatory (a place where the imperfect saint has been sent to be tortured until they have paid for their unforgiven sins, presumably due to the weakness of the act of Christ).  The purpose of an indulgence is that you might indulge in your favorite sins if you pay a fee to the church who will approach God on your behalf to make Him wink at your flaws.  This absolutely negates John 14:3 above.

1 Timothy 2:5 is pretty clear on the subject when it says, “There is ONE intercessor between God and man; the man Christ Jesus.”  That doesn’t leave any question about whether you need to see a priest to be forgiven.  When a Catholic comes to confession the first words they speak are, “Forgive me Father for I have sinned…”  They are approaching a man to ask forgiveness of their sins.  On the one hand he cannot forgive their sins and on the other, scripture says to call God alone Father (Matthew 23:9).  We are given certain titles for ministry workers; Deacon (servant), Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher & Bishop.  There are other helps as well but these are the major ones.  You will not see Father, Pope, Cardinal or Arch Bishop included in the scripture.  These are made up titles with more earthly authority than heavenly. 

For the moment ask yourself this question, “How often of late have I heard someone call Christians backward, reactionary or not keeping up with the times?”  Have those incidences increased?  Have you noticed how even men and women of God have begun to sin more lately and have become the butt of jokes and distrust?  We have forsaken the purity and power of scripture and have sought to make our faith socially acceptable.  Those who refuse to bow to current opinion are branded lunatics and fools.  Many of those who fire at us come from mainline churches who no longer accept scripture as God breathed and infallible.

Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

The biggest problem of late is the church’s failure to acknowledge that we are in a dispensation of grace and that His grace is offered to draw all men unto God in Christ.  If we would but walk in this grace and cease from our foolish non-scriptural opinions we would find ourselves much more at peace and able to surrender ourselves from the sins of the flesh.  Rather than try and justify our sins, why don’t we trust God and scripture and acknowledge that we can walk as God requires no matter what our flesh tries to tell us.

1 Corinthians 6:9 AMP- Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,

10 Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.

11 And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God

We would love to believe that God will accept anyone who has sincerely asked for His forgiveness, no matter what kind of life we live or what we believe but this is not scriptural and everything God does is scriptural.  Jesus and the Father are one.  Scripture and Jesus are one.  A house divided against itself cannot stand so God will not accept anyone not cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  The eternal life of mankind is IN that blood.  He will also not accept those who fail to walk the walk He has ordained for them.  It’s not that Christ’s blood is flawed or weak in the cleansing of sin, it is just that we must press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ.

It’s pretty clear above and in other places that God is as eternally serious about our lifestyles as He is about our path to salvation through Christ alone.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Every word that comes from the mouth of Satan is an evil communication.  Some things he says are out and out lies.  Other times he simply leaves out the pertinent part and denies the truth by telling half a truth.  Either way, we MUST be as wise as that old serpent and yet as harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16).  Does that scripture say that Christ sends us out as murderous warriors?  No; on the contrary, he sends us out as sheep and tells us to be wise in our dealings with the world.  An angry, argumentative pastor is not a sheep; he or she is a GOAT.  Goats are always butting in where they are not supposed to be while sheep follow the shepherd from pasture to pasture.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Again scripture says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked:”  You cannot buy yourself into God’s good graces or make it in on your own effort.  Only the blood of Christ is sufficient and even that requires a spirit of obedience and sacrifice on our part.  It’s not enough to believe that Christ died for you.  You must also believe that His grace is sufficient and that you can indeed live that holy life as Christ has said.  Living a life contrary to your natural passions may not be fun or easy but it is absolutely possible and required by God for His children.  He has made allowances for most of them, but there are certain ones He has denied us just as firmly as he denied Adam and Eve the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden. 

Once we are forgiven and return to that trough of vomit there is no more repentance for forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 6:2-6).  Repentance means to turn away from the sin and sin no more.  This implies an active turn of obedience for us.

2 Timothy 2:11  The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us.

13 If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.

14 Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers.

15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.

16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.

17 And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer or spread like gangrene.

19 But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.

If you are complaining in your heart over these requirements then it is certain you are not yet DEAD in Christ (v9).  Keeping our bodies under subjection is a requirement in Christ.  As it says in (v15) we must study to show ourselves approved for the work of God.  This means we have endured the testing and have passed each test of our faith.  There is no other way and no other savior.  Christ alone is the only one, for the Jew first and everyone else next. 

God’s Word is miraculous and as perfect and unchallengeable as He is.  It will not fail to come true and it will never fall short.  If you live for Jesus and submit yourself to Him then your name is written in that very scripture, hidden in Christ Jesus as the scripture says. 

Stand fast beloved.  Do not fear and do not waver.  Never doubt that His Word will come true in your life.  I look forward to hearing great things of your faith in Christ Jesus.

Bishop J.