In this age of apostasy all of Gods’ children need to be careful as things aren’t always what they may appear to be.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 NIV
Satan is good at counterfeiting in the spiritual realm. He can produce signs and wonders and can make his apostles look like Christ's apostles. Christians must be careful. Spiritual appearance is not a guarantee of spiritual integrity. We must "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" as John wrote (1 John 4:1 NIV).
It is up to us to obey the Bible's exhortation: "Do not be deceived" (Galatians 6:7).
But Jesus himself warned that us that even the elect(saved) can be deceived:
For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Matt 24:24 NLT
"There are powers that can counterfeit almost anything in the Christian life".
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
With Thanks to Dr. David Jeremiah and his daily devotionals from which this post was derived.
Here is a great Praise video from Cristy Nockels:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OEGnH5x8g&ob=av2n
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Repentance: A Basic Requirement, Not a Dirty Word
Too many in the modern church refuse to teach and preach about sin and repentance. “We don’t teach condemnation, only grace” they may say. Those that follow this prescription are teaching only part of the Bible and are in serious error.
“But Dan, God is our Daddy, he doesn’t want any of us to perish, and all things work together for good, it’s in the word, you should know that!” they exclaim.
I hate to break it to you but I must. The first requirement to being born again and truly receiving Christ as Savior and LORD is to repent. This concept in not only in the word but also in context without conflict with other scriptures:
Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, NIV
Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. NIV
Grace abusers do not like this but the above verses are examples of repentance being a prerequisite to being saved. Repent and have faith, repent and turn to GOD, another verse states “Repent and be Baptized”(Acts 2:38). Repentance is the turning away from sin without regret for leaving it behind.
One who is truly born again repents, i.e. turns away from their sins and the difference in their lives will be noticeable. This does not mean we will be perfect, we all sin but the general move should be forward, away from sin, and not looking back. Those who do not repent are headed for judgement. NO you say? Then how do you explain away this:
ACTS 2: 3-5
“3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
I implore everybody to not exclude repentance, judgment, or faith from your teaching in lieu of grace. Remember that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2: 8-9), that you can’t have one without the other and neither without repentance.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
“But Dan, God is our Daddy, he doesn’t want any of us to perish, and all things work together for good, it’s in the word, you should know that!” they exclaim.
I hate to break it to you but I must. The first requirement to being born again and truly receiving Christ as Savior and LORD is to repent. This concept in not only in the word but also in context without conflict with other scriptures:
Acts 3:19-20
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, NIV
Acts 20:21
I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. NIV
Grace abusers do not like this but the above verses are examples of repentance being a prerequisite to being saved. Repent and have faith, repent and turn to GOD, another verse states “Repent and be Baptized”(Acts 2:38). Repentance is the turning away from sin without regret for leaving it behind.
One who is truly born again repents, i.e. turns away from their sins and the difference in their lives will be noticeable. This does not mean we will be perfect, we all sin but the general move should be forward, away from sin, and not looking back. Those who do not repent are headed for judgement. NO you say? Then how do you explain away this:
ACTS 2: 3-5
“3 So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
I implore everybody to not exclude repentance, judgment, or faith from your teaching in lieu of grace. Remember that we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2: 8-9), that you can’t have one without the other and neither without repentance.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)