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Tuesday, January
20, 2009
Cookie Cutter Christians
Matthew 24:10-13 And
then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another. (11) And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive
many. (12) And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold. (13) But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (KJV)
The word ‘offend
or offended’ refers to stumble or to be led astray. Sad to say, the reality
is, the Bible is quite specific to point out that many end up this way. The
many, become the many because they spend more time imitating others that
claim they are of God, but in reality they are nothing more than a cheap
knock off imitation. I see and hear many who would fall into the category
of cookie cutter assembly line people that come out the way they were
programmed; the only problem is, it is not in line with who and what the
Lord intended them to be.
James 3:1-2 My
brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
(2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the
same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (KJV)
The warning is
quite clear, don’t be like the many, especially those that have assumed the
position of teachers (which is what the word ‘masters’ is referring to). I
use the term ‘assume’ because many assume they belong in this position; the
reality is they are called and chosen by man and not by God. Many choose to
follow other people’s scripted versions of how to teach and preach; many
times thinking they need to go to a Bible college or seminary rather than
going to the source Himself. So before you decide to jump into a position
of a teacher make sure you know the word you speak and the doctrine you teach
is of the Lord, because if not, you are going to get the greater
condemnation than those you led astray. Do you really desire to have people
pointing the finger at you for eternity because you helped in their
downfall by promoting or even teaching false doctrine? The definition for ‘word’
in verse 2 refers to teaching and doctrine; so it would do you well to make
sure the doctrine you teach is approved of God, something He gives credence
to.
John 7:16-18 Jesus
answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (17)
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be
of God, or whether I speak of myself. (18) He that speaketh of himself
seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same
is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. (KJV)
Can you make this
same statement as our Lord did; knowing the doctrine, the word you speak is
truly of God? If not, then you should not take the position of a teacher or
preacher until you do know. One of the first things you will need to be
doing is the will of God; because not just the hearers are justified, but
the doers are the ones that are approved of God. I personally, when
listening to a teacher or preacher, am not much interested in their works or
what they claim to have accomplished, but I am looking for something else
or should I say someone else that gives credence to the teaching.
2 John 1:7-11 For
many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (8) Look
to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but
that we receive a full reward. (9) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not
in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. (10) If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither
bid him God speed: (11) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of
his evil deeds. (KJV)
You know, when
you give credence to these false doctrines, let alone supporting them, well,
that puts you in the same category as them, a deceiver and an antichrist.
If the teacher or preacher does not have a working knowledge of the
doctrine of Christ and what Christ has done and is willing to do for us,
then that would be offensive. We all sin and fall short of the glory of
God, however, when you speak contrary to sound doctrine, when you enter the
realm of antichrist, then you have put yourself in harm’s way. Again if you
notice, this is not being taught by a few, but rather by many as verse 7
states.
Galatians 1:6-9 I
marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace
of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some
that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though
we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said
before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (KJV)
Again we see, if
it is not the gospel of Christ, the only doctrine that our Father gives
credence to, then they are in the realm of offending. Instead of fighting
the good fight of faith, or should I say fighting for your life, you let
the enemy come in and you were a pushover. Doesn’t matter where someone
claims to have gotten their information, whether from a man or an angel,
there is no such thing as another version or gospel of Christ; so rather than
entertaining this nonsense one should not allow it into their houses, the
physical one as well as their spiritual one.
1 John 2:18 Little
children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall
come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the
last time. (KJV)
Have you ever
wonder why the enemy is referred to as antichrist? Obviously the doctrine
of Christ is the doctrine the Lord gives credence to, and it is the truth
that sets God’s people free. Now if the enemy is aware of this, why aren’t
more of God’s people aware of it; you know, like the many that claim they
are teachers? Are you aware of the doctrine of Christ; and are you set free
too, so that you can discern and know the difference between what God calls
good and what man claims is good? If not, you just may be a partaker of
their evil deeds, and guilty by association is not a good place to be, come
judgment day.
Romans 1:16-17 For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the
Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)
You know, when
you get into the teaching and doctrine of Christ, teaching the people who
they are in Him, that is where there is real power, something the enemy
does not desire to see God’s people tap into. Don’t be like the many cookie
cutter people who claim to be teaching on God’s behalf, because many of
these are headed for the oven.
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