"Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people." Jude 1:3
Those of you who know me personally are probably aware that it's not often that I am rendered speechless. But when I stumbled across this link posted on the facebook wall of a church all I could do was sit there and stare at the screen with my mouth hanging open and my head shaking.
http://artiedavis.com/2010/05/04/7-steps-stop-complaining-in-the-church/
The problem that I have isn't simply the fact that this was posted from the leadership of a church that I know personally, it's the realization that if this particular church is leading like this, then how many others are too?
I'd like to point out that this step by step program has no backing in scripture! This is not biblical! We, as followers of Christ, do not ostracize people because they don't agree with something that's going on or question it! In fact, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 , "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good reject every kind of evil". The Bereans in the bible did exactly that! When the Apostle Paul arrived in Berea and taught the Bereans, he had this to say of them, "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." Acts 17:11. This "program" provides a glimpse into the characteristics that can be found in the "Last Days" church or "New Age" church. A church that turns away from the true gospel and preaches a paraphrased humanistic gospel. A church that's fallen into apostasy.
All I can say, after seeing this post aimed towards a church congregation, is that Artie Davis and the pastor who posted this do not speak for me. They may be sincere. They may be well-intentioned. But I believe, with every fiber of my being, that a church that is involved in this kind of program is in the process of leading the Church into a New Age plan for a New spirituality. It is spiritual. It is a spirit that convinces us that we are doing God's will when we follow it's leading. It is a spirit that hides behind the banner of God's purposes while it tries to deceive us into accomplishing it's purposes. It is a spirit that comes in the name of Christ but actually opposes Jesus Christ.
The Bible warned us about all this. Paul was stunned that the Church in Galatia was starting to accept a new gospel that wasn't the true Gospel. "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ." (Galatians 1:6-7) Paul warned that if anyone introduced the false teachings of "another gospel," this person should be disregarded "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!" (Galatians 1:8-9) He told them that if he was only trying to please men, he wouldn't be the servant of Christ "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."(Galatians 1:10)
The true Jesus Christ also warned that on Judgement Day many people calling themselves Christians, and claiming to have done works in Jesus' name, will be stunned to find out that they had been following "another spirit." "another Jesus," and "another gospel." Matthew 7:21-23, " <span>Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"
Paul had felt compelled to by the Holy Spirit to warn the church that in the last days people would depart from the true Christian faith because they would be led by seducing spirits and false doctrines, not by the Holy Spirit of the one true God. "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Tim 4:1) He said that people would accept teachings and doctrines that were not from God because they would find teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear. He warned that these false teachers would turn people away from the truth. "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."(2 Tim 4:3-4) Paul warned that in the last days false teachers and false teachings would have the appearance of godliness but would lack the authentic power that comes from the Holy Spirit. He urged believers to turn away from these things, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Tim 3:5)
Lastly, John warned that people who abandon the truth of sound doctrine abandon Chirst and God by saying "Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He taught] does not have God; but he who continues to live in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ [does have God], he has both the Father and the Son.If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine [is disloyal to what Jesus Christ taught], do not receive him [do not accept him, do not welcome or admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him any encouragement.For he who wishes him success [who encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings." (2 John 9-11)
Deception is the enemies attack on intimacy with Jesus. How many people are being led to hell by their own church leadership? It's an alarming question to ponder. But I really do want you to take encouragement in the fact that you do not have to be deceived! Take the berean approach to what you are taught, don't just believe everything you hear. Even what I have just said! Take what you are taught straight to the Word of God. Pray for discernment, pray for wisdom. Take full advantage of your relationship with God and utilize the Word and promises He has given you!
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5
