Jesus forewarned us of this time. He said, "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matthew 24:5)
As further clarification, apostle Paul later instructs, "Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge." (I Corinthians 14:29) In other words, if the words preached to do not align in one accord with His Word, resulting in a situation whereby the Spirit and the Word are not in agreement, then the message you are hearing (according to the scriptures) is not of God.
How do we know? Because, as John testifies in the first epistle, this is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. Therefore, if we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not know the truth. What is the truth?
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; for the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us; that which we have seen and heard and declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ." (I John 1:1-3)
The promised Holy Ghost which is the Comforter who will lead and guide us into all truth. (John 14:26; John 15:26) Our advocate is with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but also for the sins of the whole world. His blood cleanses us from all sin, the blood of Jesus Christ. (I John 1:7; Isaiah 2:5; Titus 3:4-7I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23)
As a consequence of coming to Jesus and asking Him to become both Lord and Christ in our hearts, minds and souls, and being water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (as the answer of a good conscience toward God), we become washed, we become sanctified, and therefore, become justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (I Corinthians 6:11; Acts 2:36-38; I Peter 3:21-22) No longer are we Gentiles carried away unto these dumb idols and earthly whims because the Lord has given us to understand that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and similarly, that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 12:2-3; Ephesians 2:11; Psalm 115:5; Matthew 16:17)
This is why we require boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. And having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19-22)
Moreover, let us hold fast in the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised! (Hebrews 10:23) This is why we press into Jesus, doing every thing that we do, in both word or deed, in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
This does not negate the inherent need for us to be aware of those who have 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. Those who have determined in their own hearts that there is more than one Lord God Almighty, and that He must exist as a trinity, or triad, or triune God in three persons, even when the Word of God preaches otherwise. Those false teachers who would willingly carve God Almighty into thirds, even when Jesus Himself declared all power on earth and in heaven was His, and that He and His Father are one. (John 10:30; John 14:6-12)
Nevertheless, we who love our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and remain steadfast in the apostolic doctrine know that we are of God, and have overcome them who profess to teach the truth but only propagate more lies without the support of any scriptural foundation; because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. (I John 4:4)
This is why it is important to study the Word, to show ourselves approved unto God, as doth a workman that need not to be ashamed, so that we will know the truth that sets us free, rightly dividing the Word. (II Timothy 2:15)
How do we discern what is right and true and just? Hear the Word of God that is not bound by modern day religious and institutional constraints. Hear the Word that is the sure foundation of God. And know that those who do not speak the truth -- "they are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them.
[But] we are of God: he that knows God hears us; he that is not of God hears not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not knows not God; for God is love ... In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (I John 4:5-9)
Lots to consider this day. In closing, be assured of His promise of salvation. That is, "hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world." (I John 4:13-14)
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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