A few days ago, I was having dinner when a group of girls approached me and shared the Gospel. They invited me to an ongoing evening celebration, and the church was just a few blocks away. I didn’t think much, and I accepted the invitation.
I walked with the girls to the church. When I arrived at the church, I realized the church was packed. I didn’t know the existence of such a massive church in the centre of a city. The church elder passed me a veil and told me I needed to wear the veil in church. I agreed, and it didn’t bother me much. The songs were amazing. The choir team majestically sang them. The first few songs were terrific. Suddenly the last song ended with ”We believe in the name of Christ ( a human person’s name was given ) and another lady person whom they refer to as God the mother. There is a human name added to Christ. It wasn’t Jesus Christ. Suddenly I wasn’t peaceful. ”I was like, who is this person?”
I listened carefully during the sermon session and realized this ministry started as early as the 1960s, introducing the second coming of Jesus Christ. They refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ as another person on earth which has already taken place. A human name and person is given. They believe it is this person. The ministry started then and has grown to more than 4 million members in more than 170 countries. It is still growing up to this day.
I was uncomfortable the whole time, and I just wanted to run away from the service but I couldn’t as my seating was blocked by another member sitting next to me. I had to sit through the whole session. As I needed to sit through the entire session, I listened carefully to what was being preached. They believe humans expecting Jesus Christ to come again is in vain. This is because they believe he has already come. I realize they can quote the Bible verses so well. They know the verses in and out. They can connect the bible verses so well in accordance to their belief system. I also realize the majority of the congregation is good-looking and very well dressed. I was even amazed they have seminary school training pastors, and they have ministries all around the world. They have done so much of outreach activities across the globe.
Their ministry is significant. But somehow, I felt uncomfortable throughout the service session. The moment the service ended, I ran away from the place. As I was running away, this verse came deep into my spirit ‘‘I am the way, the truth, and the Life. Nobody comes to the Father, except me the Lord Jesus Christ.”
It was an eye-opener for me as I realized that many out there share the Gospel, claiming they are the truth. Each ministry claims they are the truth. Who is the truth? What is the truth?
I was meditating upon this verse, and it helped me. I pray it will help you
too.
Colossians chap 2:6 ” So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in
the faith as you were taught , and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it
that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which
depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world
rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in
bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head
over every power and authority.
While meditating upon these verses, I realized the Bible had reminded us not to be captivated by deceptive philosophy. They are many who would come and claim they are the truth. Claiming they are the Man of God. There would come up with a philosophy. With this deceptive philosophy many are held captive. I believe the Holy Spirit is there to guide us through. We must step away when we realize there is some deception or deviation from the Gospel.
It is essential to go back to the Word of God, which is the Bible. When we talk about human tradition, it is not so much about the culture and practice alone, but any man-made rules are a tradition that is unknowingly built within the church. Most of the time, if you notice these man-made rules are being manipulated by using bible verses, it is high time to step away.
Matthew chap 24: 4& 5 Jesus answered:” Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name,claiming, ”I am the Messiah” and deceive many.”
It is vital to know and study the Bible carefully. Take some time apart in a day to study the Bible. You have to. Many will come claiming they are the Messiah. The only weapon you have to know exactly who the deceiver is , is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit.
Once you recognize deception, you step away. When I reflected on my visit to that particular church,I realized my spirit recognised deception and I ran away. I actually did physically ran away that evening. But this is also a reminder to pray for many of our brethren who has been deceived. It is also vital to pray for ourselves to always discern the truth and also the millions out there.
Whichever church you are rooted currently in, once you recognize there is a form of deception, first pray about it, and then the best is to step away. Surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. Restart basics from the Word of God, and let the Holy Spirit guide you through.
Say this today : Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life- R.J.JOHN
Application :
- Take time to study the Bible seriously.Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you.
- Pray for souls around the world to come to know the one true Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer for today : ”Abba,I thank you Lord for your love upon my readers and myself Lord.I pray Lord for wisdom and understanding in every area of our life.” Amen
Joy of the Lord is my Strength Note Series 