This article is going to stir up emotions, cause pain, mental anguish, and prayerfully get us to stop and think about what we believe as Christians and how far we are willing to go to be obedient to following His word even if it means we suffer in the process. Take a moment to read John 6 and start at about verse 45. Basically in John 6 Jesus tells a group of disciples what it really takes to follow Him and when He had finished, in 6:60 “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” and then in verse 66 it was told “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” As you read and study this article you will be challenged to put aside your emotions, feelings, personal preferences and focus on what Jesus and the Scriptures tell us and follow them and not our heart.
This article is brought about by my personal experiences with family and friends and the dilemma it has caused as I struggled to keep quiet and avoid controversy or speak up and follow what I am called to do resulting in probably loosing friends and making enemies.
However, when accepting Jesus we are told to count the cost in Luke 14, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” And in Luke 12:53 we are told that it may result in the division of family members; “They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter.” A true Christ follower will pay the cost for truth, something many of us are lacking in today’s Christian culture.
With all this said I would like to ask that you read and ponder the scriptures I am listing below. Take them seriously; consider their meaning and how important the words are as they relate to how deep your faith is. Then, in a week or so I will send out part 2 of this article and when you read it you will understand what I am trying to accomplish.
Scripture on deception, listening to false teachers, how to treat them, what will happen, what to do when encountering;
When you read these scriptures think seriously about what their purpose is and why they are mentioned so many times. Consider what the consequences will be if their warnings are ignored or not believed. And that the serious ramifications not just affect you but has the potential to affect others!
Ephesians 5:11 “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”
Psalm 26:4-5 “I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked.”
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3 and in their greed they will exploit you with false words;”
2 Timothy 4:3-4 “But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
Revelation 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 “But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Also consider; Galatians 1:6-9 turning to a different gospel, 2 John 1:10-11 don’t invite anyone in that teaches a different gospel, Matthew 7:15 “watch out for false prophets,
1 John 4:1-3 don’t believe every spirit, 1 Timothy 4:1-2 later times some will depart,
Revelation 22:18-19 if anyone add to or removes from these words they will be removed from the tree of life.
As the end draws near we may have to step up and take desperate measures with regards to our faith, practicing it, and sharing it. And also to those who say they believe but are not obedient 1 John 2:4 is extremely important (1 John 2:4, whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person”). Are there any liars in heaven?
Manos de Dios, Hands of God Ministries 