Dear Church: What Do You Know!

DEAR CHURCH! 

We desperately need to know how to use the spiritual weapons the Lord has given to us (the Word of God and Prayer).

There are voices, so many voices, assuming they have truth, based on what they want to believe truth to be, rather than wrestling with Scripture until it informs their convictions.

There are so many voices, loud ones, at that, who give partial truths, that are cancelled out by lies that follow.

There are a host of folks forming a new denomination that sounds loving, kind, compassionate and yet fail to lay a solid foundation based on Truth (truth with a capital T).

There would be a host of influencers assuring us that truth is what we want it to be, based on feeling and our own reality. 

What is worse, in my opinion, is there are "preachers" creating for us a new Jesus based on bits and pieces of the Son of God that they pick and. choose on a whim, attempting to speak for Him, without using His very Words written down for us.

Here's an example. This week, I ran across a post from a gentleman who has nearly 30,000 followers on Facebook alone. 

This fellow has walked away from what he has termed "toxic Christianity," and formed his own organization, apparently a center for non-religious spirituality, where he helps others step into the freedom and power of authentic self-expression. His fundamental mission seems to be to assist those who have fallen into what he calls "post traumatic church disorder." 

From what I can tell, his most often quoted source is Budha (one who is awake)...Rarely (and I'm trying to think if I saw ANY, in actuality) does he quote Scripture. 

Of his posts, this one struck me at the quick of my soul:

"10 things about Christianity that Jesus would not be happy about if he returned:

1. That his vision for a transformed society, got twisted into an afterlife fantasy about heaven.

2. That a religion was formed to worship his name, instead of a movement to advance his message.

3. That the gospel says his death solved the problem of humankind's separation from God, instead of accepting that his life revealed the truth that there is no separation from God.

4. That the religion bearing his name was conceived by the theories and doctrines of Paul, instead of the truth Jesus lived and demonstrated.

5. That he was said to exclusively be God in the flesh, putting his example out of reach, rather than teaching that we all share in the same spirit that empowered his character and life.

6. That the religion that claims his name, teaches that his wisdom and teachings are the only legitimate way to know truth and God.

7. The idea that humankind stands condemned before God and deserving of Divine wrath and eternal conscious judgement, requiring the death of Jesus to fix it.

8. That people are waiting on Jesus to return to save the world and end suffering, rather than taking responsibility for saving the world and solving suffering ourselves.

9. That people think there is magical potency in uttering the name of Jesus, rather than accessing our own natural powers and capabilities to effect change.

10. That people have come to associate Jesus with church, theology, politics and power, rather than courage, justice, humanity, beauty and love." *

 

 

Here's today's challenge, precious Church of God...

How would you answer those who buy into this kind of teaching?

In each of those given points, what is truth? What is a lie from the pit of hell?

How does Scripture inform you about each of these 10 statements?

How well do you know your Bible?

What do you believe based on Truth?

How will you do warfare against the God of this Age, who is blinding men and women all over the globe in order to distract them from true relationship with Jesus?

I'm recognizing I still have much to learn, even after all these years of study. 

The Word of God is forever rich with layer upon layer upon layer of lessons for us to learn.

The enemy of our souls is truly deceitful, subtle, manipulative, and a liar. He seduces, twists, and taunts. He blinds, distracts, and attempts to destroy faith by chipping away at it's very foundation.

We are at war.

I think I've forgotten that fact, or at least, been like a small child, who thinks if I ignore something it will go away and leave me alone.

That's what the enemy hopes we'll do: ignore him.

BUT...he is not going away...........not yet. 

Rest assured, his demise is already sealed...

...but, in the meantime, we must get busy sharpening our swords and developing calloused knees.

The sake of someone's eternity is what is at stake.

*Link