July 18, 2021
For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24
Recent history has revealed numerous delusional people in the news who claimed to be Christ and succeeded in deceiving scores, thousands, or even millions of people. While this is tragic, something much more subtle and widespread is happening within Christendom. Multiple inaccurate profiles of Jesus are being preached on a massive scale. Untold millions are worshipping a “Jesus” who doesn’t stand by His own Word! This issue is a life-or-death matter.
In our fallen human nature, the “default mode” is to deny wickedness and selfishness that exists within ourselves. A study of the Ten Commandments—in all their simplicity—serves as a mirror in order to help us see ourselves as we are. The patience that Jesus displayed day-in and day-out, rather than cynicism or suspicion, is because of His absolute confidence in His power to retrieve each one of us from the death-grip of sin. One who possesses a stubborn unwillingness to turn to Him for forgiveness and the power to leave sin behind is made resentful, and will gravitate toward the popular preaching which claims that God’s law has been abolished. But the heart that is yielded to truth will, in gratitude, accept the admonitions, encouragements, and guidance found in the life-giving Word.
As servants of God we are called to be fishers of men. We are ordinary humans. In our devotion to Him and to His interests, our attempts to live for Him must be brought about through the work of the Holy Spirit who will guide us to not only make clear distinctions between the true and the false, but also to help others develop discernment. This is the “making disciples” part of the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19-20). It is imperative that we speak truthfully of Him. Jesus, our Creator, gave us life. And Jesus, our Redeemer, desires to preserve that life. The adversary is out to deceive people into following a false Jesus all the way to eternal death.
Jesus has warned of “false Christs” because He loves us. Continue building your trust in the God of the Bible, The Word of Life.
“I and My Father are one.” John 10:30
“For I am the LORD, I do not change.” Malachi 3:6a
“Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:21-25