Falling away…
For anyone who wonders what happened to the posting for the week of January 23 – January 29, 2011…not only am I late in posting this, I have also deviated from my planned writing series altogether. But, having been lead with a sense of urgency to address this subject – certainly not in the depth it deserves – I nevertheless felt compelled to move an article on this subject to the forefront; I can always expand on it later.
Therefore now, as in the future, rather than attempt to adhere to a specific topic which I select, I will leave this to the Lord and follow wherever His Spirit leads in writing and posting.
It has been over two week since I began to prepare this article. I had already outlined another more eschatological series in which I really wanted to discuss many of the prophetic signs that are occurring with greater frequency and intensity.
Initially, in an effort to “compromise”, I attempted a common human – and thus futile – effort to “blend” or otherwise merge these two topics, which was met with failure. So, from this point forward, until lead differently, I will leave this entirely to the Lord and write as the Spirit directs.
As written in 1 Timothy 4 (New American Standard Version – and unless noted differently, I will use the NASB version as a primary reference – more on this subject later):
“1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron..."
I, like many of you, have been both alarmed and thoroughly disgusted by the apostasy evidenced in religion, particularly the “mainstream” religions. We have entered an era where, in addition to chasing after other “gods” and false idols, the pursuit of the truth and walking in the way of God has given way to worship of the self.
Far too often in our so-called age of enlightenment and the accompanying media hype, we are presented with this “prosperity theology” particularly within the evangelical ministry…we can have more, be more, do more, etc. Do NOT be deceived. Those who espouse this apostasy are nothing more than “false christs” for whom special judgment will be reserved and the sheep who are so desperate for meaning in their pathetic lives and for instant gratification are being deceived and are being lead to their ultimate destruction.
This world view and its focus on one’s sense of self is totally unbiblical and totally without merit. Any focus that does not keep God at the center is not only unscriptural, but is doomed to failure.
Those who are told and those who feel that they are basically a “good” person and swallow the ever increasingly popular opinion that, “…there are many different ways” to find God and that, “…there are many different paths that ultimately will lead to God”, and that, “their god is a loving god and he would never punish them for minor indiscretions” are deluding themselves.
Jesus is quoted in Matthew 7:12-14 saying: “13Enter through the narrow gate; 14for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it…”
Also, Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”.
The large, corporate churches will ultimately fail along with many of our recognized mainstream religions. They will either eventually reach critical mass and implode sucking everyone into a black-hole of permanent separation from God, or in their continuing efforts to “be inclusive” and serve too many self-interest groups, they are denying the faith and perverting and diluting the truth. In fact, whenever convenient, this “truth” itself is often rewritten so that as many people as possible may identify with, and buy into, their particular brand of theology.
Numbers, which translate to dollars, are what is driving the mega-churches and many of the mainstream religious establishments. The more money and the more “programs” and “ministries” which appeal to a wider and wider “customer/consumer-base” all in the name of helping others and bringing more people into the fold is the engine which drives these organizations. In fact many have practically rewritten the reasons for the saving grace of Jesus and His justification based on faith completely out of the equation. God and His ultimate judgment has been relegated to a role of minor importance.
As a result, they pervert and pollute the “truth”. They have watered-down the Scriptures and are busily rewriting controversial portions so as not to “offend” anyone and to be “politically” correct. In order to avoid being stereotyped or otherwise “labeled” as a “fundamentalist”, a “rightwing fanatic”, a “homophobe”, “islamaphobe”, etc. – one who adheres to “the Word” simply bites their tongue and remain quiet.
In fact, what one should wear as a badge of honor, i.e. that of being labeled as “orthodox” or “fundamental” in popular thinking, these terms have now taken on a negative connotation.
In this age of compromise consumers and spectators of religion will often accept many things that are contrary to their core beliefs (albeit with a little quiet grumbling to themselves) as long as their individual needs are mostly met and as long as most of their particular concerns are addressed and as long as these core values are not challenged to a degree they can't accept. In this age of “go along to get along” people are forced into a polite acceptance and implicit or tacit approval of things which run contrary to their, and more importantly, God’s principles. In fact, a great many people do not even know their principles any longer; they can easily be manipulated or coerced into adopting the herd’s opinion.
We have allowed ourselves to be “led away” by challenges to sound Scriptural theology and adherence to God’s word.
"Difficult Times Will Come"
2 Timothy 3:1-17 states: "1But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; 5Avoid such men as these. 6For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, lead on by various impulses, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes' and Jambres' folly was also. 10Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who desire to live in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
How to avoid this? Simple…study the Scriptures and learn to rightly divide the word. And, what exactly IS this “Word”?
An Unashamed Workman – Rightly dividing the word (2 Timothy 2:15)
Rightly dividing the Word...this is the key, an onerous task for one who tend to read with less than a high degree of critical analysis. But, it is this correct division which will ultimately impart understanding.
14Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17and their talk will spread like gangrene..."
Understanding that each book, chapter, and verse was written at a specific time for a specific audience and for a specific purpose is pivotal in attaining clarity of thought and understanding.
The commonly recognized Protestant Christian "Bible" is a collection of 66 books containing hundreds of chapters and thousands of verses written by over 40 authors of diverse backgrounds over roughly a 1500 year period and covering a history, and future, of over 6,000 years or so.
Some of these were written to be taken literally, allegorically, metaphorically, or prophetically. Many are simply no more than factual recitations of events as recorded by the participants in and/or observers of the events which occurred. The key is in knowing and understanding why they were written, to whom they were directed, and what message was/is intended to be conveyed.
The vast majority of people who at least still show some degree of interest into the meaning of God's word have become lazy. They would rather let someone else do their thinking for them. This is evidenced most frequently by the prominence of so-called "experts" who parrot-back with their own interpretation and analysis of every single word uttered by any public figure, politician, movie-star, sports figure, etc. People don't even bother formulating an opinion until others have had the opportunity to formulate it for them, and then only after carefully weighing the potential negative impact of any, correct or otherwise, opinion regarding their own reputation or standing.
There is a proliferation of "user friendly Bibles" exploding on to the scene as quickly as they can be printed written with the purported purpose of making the "antiquated and "archaic" writings" (the Scriptures) "more relevant" and/or easier to understand.
Inspired Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) interprets itself. It doesn't require the massaging of the knotty portions in order to impart understanding. All too often the more "controversial" issues are either glossed-over, marginalized, or omitted altogether.
The serious Bible student should find a translations/edition that is the closest to the original Aramaic, Hebrew, or Greek and STUDY it! Pray to the Lord for Him to impart to you the wisdom and discernment necessary to obtain the proper understanding of God's will.
People will complain that...modern day religion/church is just not relevant anymore; the most recent writings were authored almost 2,000 years ago...they simply just don't apply to our present-day society and culture. Times have changed. No, it is we who have changed - not God. As written in Hebrews 13:7-9,
"7Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace..."
Blessings,
Pastor Steven
