“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
–2CORINTHIANS 11:13-35
During a recent discussion about those who inhabit the buildings known as the churches, the point was raised that the church folk are not so much EVIL–as evil is commonly understood to be–as they are DECEIVED.
“Church people are not so much evil as they are HAPPILY and STUBBORNLY deceived.”
‘Happily deceived’ because they are happy enough in walking the path they are walking: the broad way to destruction.
God’s Word is CLEAR about the drawbacks to being stubborn.
“…stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
–1SAMUEL 15:23
Many of the church folk KNOW that something isn’t right: they just can’t seem to figure out what it is that is NOT right. They suspect that something is not quite right because of the GREAT difference between their lives and the promises made by God in His Word.
But most of those who feel this way forget their misgivings and have another doughnut at the latest church social.
“I don’t know why my prayers are not being answered. I’ll have to speak to my pastor about that!”
Many of the churches seem saturated with a sense of entitlement: their members feel they should get SOMETHING out of their church attendance.
It might as well be a trip to heaven for a happy eternity.
And what God’s Word has to say about a Christian living a transformed life?
“God knows I never really understood all of that. God will understand.”
Too late will the church folk realize that what Jesus Christ said about being spiritually reborn was not only INSTRUCTIONAL, but a WARNING.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
–John 3:3,5
IF a man realizes that something is not right and that something affects his future in a GREAT way and that man does not do anything about changing his ways: that man is deceived.
What is truly tragic about the deception practiced in the churches is that few seem to care enough to investigate further or to make the changes necessary to abandon the path of destruction they walk.
What is truly tragic is that the deceived are not EVIL–as evil is commonly thought to be.
What is truly tragic is that the deceived will end up in the very same place as the evil and wicked they so often decry.
As Jesus Himself once observed
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
–Matthew 15:9-14
DOES the reader attend one of the churches?
DOES the reader believe that church attendance is a sign of whether a person is a Christian or not?
It is not YET too late: there is still a little time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“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.”
-–Romans 1:16
A Reminder: The Gospel is Simple
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: November 24, 2021.]
MORE
- The Church Folk: Clarifications
- LORD, LORD: Who is Crying Lord, Lord?
- Satan Has Counterfeited the Christian Church
- Many Shall be Offended: The End Times Church of the Tares
- Religious Leaders, Religious Systems, Churches: What does the Bible Say?
- What does the Bible say the End Times Churches will Look like
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- Man Struggles Against God
- God is in Control
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
- Tender Mercies of the Lord: Will Not Always Be Available
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: Image by TheDigitalArtist from Pixabay.com
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