Habakkuk 2

Then the Lord replied: "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay."

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Those Who Speak Falsely

Why, oh, why men of God are so many of you not crying out against false teaching, but are allowing it to spread like gangrene?

Those Who Speak Falsely

Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 7:16 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “Give God the Glory” in mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my heart. I read Jeremiah 23 (NIV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+23&version=NIV.

Shepherds Who Destroy

“Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the Lord. “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the Lord. ~ Vv. 1-4 (cf. Ez. 34)

In vv. 9-40 we are provided with a list of the characteristic traits of false prophets (or false evangelists, pastors, teachers and counselors of the people), i.e. of those who speak falsely concerning God and his word, and falsely concerning God’s relationship with his people. This is not an exhaustive list of all traits of false teachers, but is merely a compilation of those presented to us in this passage in Jeremiah 23. As well, although not everything in this list will apply, across the board, to all who speak falsely about God and his relationship to humankind (or their relationship to him), this list does cover the characteristic traits of a large number of false teachers in the world and in the church today. They:

·         Follow an evil course
·         Use their power unjustly
·         Are godless and wicked
·         Prophesy by false religions; by false gods; false philosophies
·         Lead God’s people astray; away from pure devotion to God and his word
·         Commit adultery and live a lie
·         Support and defend evildoers, so that no one turns from his sin
·         Are like Sodom and Gomorrah
·         From them ungodliness has spread throughout the land
·         Fill you with false hopes
·         Distort the words of the Living God
·         Speak from the delusions and imaginations of their own mind, not from God’s word
·         Speak messages of peace and safety to those who despise and rebel against God
·         Have not stood in the council of the Lord to see, hear and to listen to his word
·         If they had stood in God’s council, they would not be teaching what is false
·         If they had stood in God’s council, they would have proclaimed God’s words
·         If they had stood in God’s council, they would have turned people from evil ways

The Lord has recently been having me examine the teachings of one specific false teacher of the people, but he is only one example of what is being taught in today’s evangelical church, particularly here in America (I can’t speak of other countries). Yet, he serves as a “good” example of what this passage in Jeremiah 23 is talking about. And, I can tell you that the more I read of this man’s teachings, the more passionate and concerned I am becoming about making sure that the truth is told. It absolutely amazes me that such lies are being taught in the church today, and that so few Christians are speaking out against it, or are raising a battle cry against such false teaching as this, which is leading many astray. It amazes me, as well, that so many men who claim to know Christ are sitting idle and unconcerned, passive, and are even supportive and defensive of such teaching as this.

Can you imagine with me a moment if Jesus and the apostles had taken the same, or a similar approach as many of these false teachers? Where in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles do they teach that all of mankind bears (wears) the image (likeness) of Christ in their lives and that all people – saved or unsaved – can together examine the life and character of God the Father and of Jesus Christ (from a distorted perspective), and can discuss how they are like Jesus (or how Jesus is like them), and then how they can emulate their distorted view of God/Christ and his character in their own lives? Where in the teachings of the apostles do they teach that all of mankind can find their design and purpose for life by looking into their own hearts and by following after their own desires?

Can you imagine Jesus Christ and the apostles just skipping the gospel entirely while trying to teach humankind about God, about who they are, why they are here and where they are going? Can you imagine them just disregarding the fact that we, as humans, are all born into sin, separated from God, and destined to die in our sins and to face eternal punishment in hell? And, would they, as well, overlook entirely the gospel message of Jesus’ death for our sins, and God’s great salvation provided for us by his grace, and of our need to humble ourselves before God and to accept his invitation of divine grace to his salvation? Can you imagine Jesus and the apostles also discounting our need to turn from our sins and to turn to walk in his righteousness and holiness, by his grace and via the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Would they ignore the need for the Holy Spirit in our lives and for divine guidance, counsel and direction, which can only be found through faith in Christ?

Can you also imagine with me for a moment Jesus and the apostles quoting from the writings of other humans (not God-breathed), some of which may come from the occult or other religions or humanistic and pagan thinking, as their source of inspiration and counsel in how humankind can find who they are and who they are supposed to become, but not quoting from the word of God, or rarely quoting God’s word, and even then to quote it out of context and to distort its meaning to serve their own agenda? Can you imagine the apostles teaching from the imaginations and delusions of their own minds as though what they think and believe is gospel truth about man and God, while ignoring God’s word and its counsel? Can you imagine the apostles and Christ overlooking the teaching on the fear (awe; reverence) of God, the honoring of him as holy, giving him the glory and praise, the keeping of Christ’s commands (See Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Jn. 1-5) and walking in his ways?

Can you imagine Jesus and the apostles teaching all humankind they are or can become like God without telling them that they need to know God personally, i.e. that they need to be in relationship with Jesus Christ, by God’s grace, through faith? Doesn’t that sound a whole lot like what Satan told Eve in the Garden? – That they can become like God (or the gods), and that they don’t need to bow to, worship, honor and obey their maker? Can you imagine Jesus and the apostles not telling the people that they can’t rely upon human wisdom and understanding, but that they need the counsel and power of the Spirit of God within them if they are to live the life for which they were created? Why, oh, why men of God are so many of you not crying out against false teaching, but are allowing it to spread like gangrene?

Our Righteous Savior

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
    and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
    and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
    The Lord Our Righteous Savior. ~ vv. 5-6

Jesus Christ, God the Son, came to earth, took on the likeness of human flesh, suffered as we suffer, and was tempted in like manner as we are tempted, yet without sin. He was despised and rejected of humans; a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. In fact, humankind hid their faces from him. They did not esteem him for who he was and is (See Isaiah 53). In fact, they mocked him, called him crazy and of Satan, taunted him, hunted him down like he was a criminal, continually attacked him with their words and tried to discredit him and his ministry. And, then they arrested him falsely, accused him wrongly, beat him incessantly, until he was barely recognizable, and then they hung him on a cross to die a cruel and painful death.

Yet, Jesus Christ willingly went to the cross for you and for me. When he died, he took upon himself the sins of the entire world. He buried our sins with him. When he rose from the dead, though, he left our sins behind - “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15). And, he invites all people to be crucified with him in death to our old lives of living for sin and self and to be resurrected with him to new lives in Christ Jesus, walking in his holiness and righteousness in the power of his Spirit within us, for that is the purpose for which he died.

“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again” (2 Co. 5:15; cf. Lu. 9:23-25; Eph. 4:17-24; Ro. 6; 1 Jn. 1-5; Gal. 2:20 and Tit. 2:11-14, et al).

Give God the Glory / An Original Work
Based off Psalm 19 / March 10, 2014

All of creation now proclaims:
“Give God the glory; honor His name!”
Each day the stars in heav’n above
Show forth His wisdom; tell of His love.

They do not speak. They have no voice.
Yet, they declare we have a choice:
“Worship the God of heav’n above;
Believe in Jesus; trust in His love.”

God’s word is perfect, just and good,
Refreshing souls who trust in the Lord;
Makes wise the simple; radiant -
Lighting our lives with God’s righteousness.

Joy to the heart His words now speak;
Pure and enduring, now we seek.
They are more precious than our gold;
Sweeter than honey; never grow old.

Keeping the word brings great reward.
By the word Jesus speaks and He warns,
Convicting hearts of all their sin;
Forgiving all who call upon Him.

Praying You keep me, Lord, from sins.
May they not rule my life again.
Then will I walk in all Your ways,
Following Jesus all of my days.



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