Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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Why Expose False Teaching?

        It’s not just false Christ’s we are to look out for, it is also false Christians, such as the World Council of Churches.  The anti-Christian tells the Bible what it means, instead of the Bible being the supreme authority.  For the most part this is used by false teachers; by taking scriptures out of context.  The full council of the word of God must be used instead of picking out what tickles your ears. If you claim to be a Christian and are not ‘born again’ you are perpetrating a fraud and blasphemy.  The only way to become a Christian is to be ‘born again’.  A true Christian is not someone who simply says that they are saved, but rather a true Christian possesses salvation.

           Many will come in the name of Christ that could deceive even the elect (the elect are those chosen by God).  Not that the elect will loose their salvation but rather their reward (their honor in Heaven).  The Bible says that many of the elect will stand ashamed at the judgment seat of Christ.  This, to my understanding, means that false teaching had robbed them of their crowns (their rewards for doing what is right and good).

          I have searched through the Bible for warnings about false teachers and false prophets.  The following sited verses are only the ones from the New Testament: Matt 7: 15 and 21-28, Matt 12:43-45, Matt 13: 3-30, Matt 16:6-12, Matt 23:13-36, Matt 24:4-5, Matt 24:11-13, Matt 24: 23-26, Matt 24: 45-51,John 7, John 15 9-10, Acts 13: 6-8, Acts 20:29,2 Cor 11: 3-4, 2 Cor 11: 13-15, Gal 2: 4-5. Gal 4:17, 2 Peter 2: 1-3 1 Tim 1:3, 1 Tim 1:20, 1 Tim 4, 1 Tim 6:3-10, 2 Tim 3:1-9, 2 Tim 2:8, 2 Tim 2:17-18, 2 Tim 3:13, 2 Tim 4:3-4, Titus 1: 10-16, Titus 3: 10-11, 2 Peter 2, 1  John 4: 13, 2 John 1: 7-11, Jude 1: 3-16, Gal 2:4-16, Rom 6: 1-23, 1 Cor 5: 11-13, Rev 2:2, Rev 2:9, Rev 2:15, Rev 2:20 and there are others.

          If a new convert is ‘born again’ and is not instructed properly in humbly growing as a servant of the Lord, he could be worse off than before he saw the truth[1].  The teacher in this case will be subject to even more condemnation for having misled the new convert.  “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the sidewalk, and the birds came and ate it up (conversion was not real). Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root (conversion was stunted due to lack of Bible instruction). Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants (due to false teaching). Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. He who has ears, let him hear.”[2] “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in people’s hearts.  But while everyone was spiritually sleeping, the enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.” Isn’t this what false teachers do?  The difference in the soils defines the difference between spiritual growth and spiritual death.  Anyone who is truly ‘born again’ will make it into heaven; however, false teaching can rob them of their heavenly rewards.  I heard the other day that 80% of new converts are not attending church a year later.  Dr. David Jeremiah said, one of the most discouraging things a pastor can face is that a new convert be seduced into one of the ‘Christian’ cults. This is not a condemnation of the convert, but rather the church.  We, as the ‘body of Christ’ (the church) have a responsibility to recent converts to establish them in the Bible as the way they should go.  We also have a responsibility to our fellow Christians to aid them in their walk and shield them from danger.  This is what I am attempting to do here. 

          Just as in the Old and New Testaments, if we accept what God has for us we will prosper, but if we reject God we will be destroyed.  This, know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly people laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”[3]

          If it turns out that my teachings are thought to be false, I fully submit to the authority of the Bible for correction[4].  False teaching and false prophecy are definitely to be categorized as sin.  1 Cor 6 9-11 states that we shouldn’t judge the person because they might be saved from their sin just like we were, however, we are told in 1 Cor 5: 11-13 to ostracize an evil person and remove them from our presence, if they knowingly continue in the practice of sin.   

          There are things in this life that you just don’t do.  “You don’t ‘spit into the wind, Pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger, and you don’t mess around with Him”[5].  Accept what God freely gives you, and you are saved.  Mock God and you are left to your own abilities.  Unless you are as self absorbed as Satan, you will take the former. 

          If you came to me hungry and thirsty and I offered you a sandwich and a drink at no cost, would it be my fault if you refused to eat and drink?  Would you scoff at me and deny my existence?  If I put the offer in writing, complete with witnesses, would you still refuse to believe it?  If you do accept my offer, we can discuss your table manners later.  In the same way, Jesus is waiting for you in your hour of need.  Whether you recognize it or not, this is that hour.  If you accept what He offers, He will work with you as you grow in the faith. 



[1] Matthew 12: 43-45
[2] Matthew 13: 3-9
[3] 2 Timothy 3:1-9
[4] 2 Timothy 3:16-17
[5] Jim Croche  (modified)

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