When we left off last time, we were looking at the first chapter of Romans and the power of the true gospel--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Starting off with verse 18:
18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Bear in mind that this is a description of apostates as a warning to the Church at Rome (chapter 1 v. 7). The true gospel of Jesus Christ delivered with power is received through revelation by the Holy Spirit. Preachers cannot preach/teach heresy and still remain in close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. They are in fellowship-and have given themselves over-to another spirit that is not of God.
Another passage from the first chapter of Galatians:
6. 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.
The manifested Love of God is what separates the sheep from the goats. The love of many will grow cold because of lack of fellowship with God. The epistle of First John is about love, but it is also about separation and the doctrine that will draw the line between truth and error. Love is the great separator-those who seek truth will remain in the Love of God, and love of the World will cause separation from Him. It's that simple.
Here's something the Lord shared with me two weeks ago:
Souls Moving In Opposite Directions
There are souls moving in opposite directions. The devil's answer to the Great Harvest of souls - the Revival - is the Great Falling Away of believers. It will be a simultaneous move, this move of the devil. While the True Gospel is being preached with genuine signs and wonders, there will be false doctrine being preached by satan's ministers to draw away the sense-ruled. Only by discerning of spirits and daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit will believers be able to know the difference.
True Revival will bring sinners into the Kingdom as it was with the early Church.
False doctrine will usher in the Great Falling Away which is designed to lead unsuspecting believers down the path to destruction.
Apostasy comes in two ways: falling away in relation to wrong teaching, or falling into a lifestyle of sin using Grace as a license to continue in that lifestyle. The main themes throughout the epistles-from Romans to Jude-are holiness and sound doctrine. Doctrine takes precedence because if the doctrine is sound, then true holiness will automatically follow. Anything and everything else is religion of the Pharisees.
The bottom line is this: if the Love of God is abiding in us and we are filled with His Spirit, there is no way we can ever be deceived.
20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22. And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
As of this moment, I think the next post will be the final one in this series. Thanks for taking the time. Until next time...be encouraged!
This seems to be happening at a rapid pace. We really need to be ready for the attacks that will come from those that are Christians who has been deceived or call themselves Christians but have not had a heart change within. It will be sad to watch those Christians that knew how to mature but refused to. They will be sitting ducks for satan. Those that trust preachers are telling the truth are sad indeed. Most do not preach the truth out of ignorance or pure greed.
ReplyDeleteAnother fine word! - Tracy (Aulonacara)
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