Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Beware of Those Who Deceive - Part 766

When we seek Jesus and His righteousness first -- as the scriptures state -- we become privy to understanding the mystery of the Godhead contained within the volume of the scriptures. This foundational teaching may appear like a dark lens to some new believers in the beginning -- initially covered in layers of dirt -- but as we further seek our Lord God and Saviour with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind, the glass is wiped clean. 

When this happens, no longer will you believe in a trinitarian doctrine that portrays God as three persons because the truth -- the greatest love story ever told -- will be fully revealed to you. The scales will fall from your eyes so that you too can understand the "mystery" of godliness. (I Timothy 3:16)  

Herein, you will behold the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end in all His glory. The same God who created man and woman in the beginning is the same God who knew no sin and yet later became sin for us on the cross. His name is Jesus. 

"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

How can we know this to be true? By "[seeking] ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness [so that] all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)

The difficulty that we are experiencing -- in these, the last days -- is that the religious -- under whatever guise that exists -- are departing from the faith that was once (and only once) delivered by God to mankind as the only means of salvation.

The scriptures clearly state that this would happen during these last times. We were warned that false prophets would rise. Matthew 7:15-20 states: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles?  Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into fire ... wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them." 

Believers in Jesus were similarly warned of things to come in the last book in the New Testament (which ironically is known as the "Revelation" of Jesus Christ). Likewise, in II John 1:7-13, we were told that many deceivers are entered into the world, "who confess NOT that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh." The scriptures call these to be "a deceiver and an anti-christ ... whosoever transgresseth and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God."

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4)

We are further warned that "if there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed, for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Indeed, woe unto them. Strong language, for sure. This is because we are instructed to not only keep His Word but His name too. (Revelation 3:8)

Whose name? The name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ -- the ONLY name given under heaven whereby we can be saved. Remember that  "he that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)

The Bible further warns that what we are witnessing today is the laying aside of the teachings of the Lord of glory that are clearly outlined in the New Testament. New translations of the Bible are being introduced at an increasing pace -- with revisions that are not just changing the original text of the Word, but obliterating the original meaning so that little scriptural references are even recognizable.  

Moreover, doctrines are being presented that are in direct opposition to the Word of the Holy Spirit. Completely contrary to the sound doctrine beginning at Jerusalem and confirmed of God to be His authoritative Word of the New Testament -- now set down at the right hand of God.

The Bible is clear on what we are to do. The scriptures state that we are to save ourselves from such deception for many are being deceived unawares. For if one denies the teaching of the gospel of Jesus the Christ, they become susceptible to believing lies. This is why we are encouraged as believers to search the scriptures daily for the truth.

When we believe on Jesus, we willingly accept the Word of God as truth. And by entering into faith as the Holy Spirit bids in Acts 2:37- 42 we can continue steadfastly in the Holy Spirit teaching being led by the indwelling Spirit of Christ. 

It is He who is bringing the New Testament scripture to abound within us. The Word that is the inspired, infallible, authoritative written Word of God. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... all things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made ...and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory; the glory of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-18

There is a reason that the apostles preached only Jesus. There is a reason the apostles baptized everyone who repented in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:37-42) Because these knew the truth -- the same truth that sets people free. 

Continue in the faith. Let the scales from your eyes today. In the beginning, God. He is our Lord and Saviour. His name is Jesus. 

"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Jesus said unto him, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

Let him that hath an ear to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
   

     

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