The Continued Erosion From False Teachings

But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. -- 2Corinthians 11: 12-15 (NLT)

A Pastor in Sacramento California plans to hold his Easter service in a local mosque. Reverend Michael Moran of the Spiritual Life Center said when contacted about the controversy; "I know that I don't believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus but I do believe his spirit ascended and his teachings are very valid and transformative," With all due respect -- not transformative enough. But this is representative of the leaven infiltrating the church in these, the last days. I know this runs contrary to the "bless me" theology of the modern church but Jesus is coming back and we are in the end times He specifically warned us:

And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. -- Matthew 24: 10-14 (NLT)

But is the church ready today for the return of their Lord and Savior? Are we watching for His return? Or have we succumbed to the false teachers and prophets God has warned us about so many times? I am fearful for the latter because I see it all around me. A little leaven here, a little leaven there. A worldly excuse wrapped in a Godly answer. Just enough truth to confuse the masses into believing that what they are engaged in is the work of God when it is really just the folly of man. Too harsh you say?

"Not everyone who calls out to me, "Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, "Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' But I will reply, "I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.' -- Matthew 7: 21-23 (NLT)

These verses should give even the most seasoned Christian pause. Realize what Jesus is saying here. There will be people who will think they are serving God right up until the day He returns only to discover that God did not even know them. Reflect on that for a moment. Reflect on how terrible that day will be to discover that our service unto God will not be sufficient to replace our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul was also very cognizant of the dangers of false prophets and teachers. One such place he discusses it is when he gave his final address to the leaders of the Church at Ephesus:

"So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock--his church, purchased with his own blood--over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. -- Acts 20: 28-30 (NLT)

Even some men from your own group! And what is their desire? To distort the truth in order to draw a following! Pastor Michael Moran is expecting over 1000 people to attend his Easter Service in the mosque in Sacramento. The problem however runs deeper than Mr. Moran. Apostasy is not always so obvious beloved. In fact it is usually more insidious. Integrity does not die overnight -- it is compromised to death. It dies one little piece at a time. It erodes. This doctrinal erosion continues in today's church, regardless of denomination. We have a habit of being too outwardly focused in the church but this threat is internal. Anyone can spot the heresy in the Michael Morans of the world but when it hits closer to home what do we say? Do we turn our eyes away from the small heresies and make the compromise that contributes to the erosion? Do we buy into the seeker-friendly lie that says the Gospel of Jesus Christ somehow needs help from man in this present culture? That we need to "reach people where they are at." That people need to be purpose driven instead of sin-forgiven. Hear me very clearly today -- the Gospel of Jesus Christ does not need to be marketed -- it needs to be preached!

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3