|
|
|
|
When heresies replace God’s doctrine What takes place when a new believer who heard the gospel then learns that Jesus came to earth as a man only, that he left his deity in heaven? Or, that Jesus did everything he did because of the Holy Spirit, and that we too can do the exact same because we too have the Holy Spirit. What takes place when one believes that when Jesus died he was brought to hell to be further tortured by demons for our salvation? These are just a few distortions that can affect ones salvation in Christ, that can remove them from the faith. Yes, it is that serious and it is time the Church saw it this way! But many are asleep and have no idea of the consequences of these teachings that are circulating inside the Churches. This includes pastors that are the shepherds who are to keep watch over God’s sheep and protect them from Spiritual (and physical) harm. Too Many echo the same (new) revelation inside the Church today and figuratively eat the same fruit that Eve did. Satan’s teaching of self-deification is taken even further than those in the new age movement who believe they have Christ consciousness or are Christ’s (anointed ones just like Jesus). We have only begun to see the fulfillment of Jesus’ warning that many will come in my name, or those saying I am Christ, to deceive the many. What happens when “ as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2) is no longer taking place in your life. It stunts your growth, and can mislead you to accept another Jesus. And what of those who may have learned the fundamental teachings of Christ and were growing and are now introduced into these new revelation teachings who think they are being fed the deeper things of God? Heb. 5:13-14 “ For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” 1 Cor. 3:1-4 Paul tells the Corinthian church he “could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? Carnal and babes in Christ are not what anyone wants to be, but when you have only one teacher you listen to, to be disciple by you have set yourself up. If you are on solid food then you can show it by staying away from the false teachers, deceivers that seem to be everywhere these days. These are those who teach not from the Bible but use the Bible to teach their own revelation. 1 Tim 1:7-8 “ desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.” Rom. 16:17-18 “ Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Paul was well aware of those among the early church who brought in teachings that turned the church away from the doctrine delivered to them by the apostles. It was bad enough then, but in our day this has escalated to unprecedented proportions. Do we hear the truth spoken with the motivation of seeing people mature in Christ? This cannot be done without the Word being taught correctly, in context. Eph. 4:14-15 “ we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head —Christ” Paul made sure he taught correctly along with the other apostles to bring each person to their maturity in Christ so they too can be effective in doing ministry. Which exactly how Paul describes their mission as leaders in building the foundation on Christ “ for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). Is that what your church is doing? To be healthy they must reproduce. Col. 1:28-29 “ Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” Maturity in Christ is the goal, how to deal with life, how to minister to others who are suffering, how to evangelize and disciple those who are in unbelief. With this in focus the church will grow spiritually healthy followers that will be effective to those they live among.
|
|
