But I will continue doing what I have always
done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that
their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful
workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. . -- 2Corinthians 11: 12-13 (NLT)
We have been lulled into a trance in the modern church. We have been sold a bill of goods that looks like the genuine article, until you start pulling the layers back. Until you see the spirit at work is not the spirit of God. When we discover the experience we thought was spiritual was just emotionalism. Isn't it interesting that thousands of years ago, as the Apostle Paul was taking pen to paper to write 2Corinthians, he would write about deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ? What do we see today? Wolves disguising themselves as apostles or prophets. Everyone wants the titles without the sacrifices. I saw a sermon recently that correctly called the majority of these so called prophecies for what they truly are -- clairvoyance. You have to remember this beloved. There is the spirit of God but there are also other spirits and the Bible says that is who is at war with us! Are there people who can tell the future? Absolutely but remember the spirit aiding them is not of God and the devil is the father of lies.
I am sorry because I know that the fringe of Christianity is a huge draw in this country but I refuse to take off the belt of truth for anyone. There is no New Apostolic Reformation. Prophets do not tell the future like a fortune teller. They may speak of future events but was always in relation to bringing the people of God back into obedience. All of the Apostles except John died violent deaths as martyrs. The majority of the prophets were also killed because no one wants to hear the truth of where they are falling short with God. As it once was, so it still can be today.
And that brings me to the final truth from today's key verses. Those called must continue as we have always done. Speaking the truth in love and not compromising the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To fight against the erosion in the church. This will undercut those who continue to pretend that somehow we are on the same team. As they key verses say -- that their "work is just like mine." Unless it is absolutely uncompromising of the Gospel -- your work is not like mine at all. I have had many forms of attack made against me during this time I have spoken the truth through the words God gives me. Some have almost worked. Some have discouraged. But regardless, the Gospel must go forth. I am a far cry from a legalist. I just refuse to strain out a gnat while I swallow a camel.
Lastly, we must realize that we are all called to the ministry of sharing the unvarnished Gospel of Jesus Christ. He does not call the equipped -- He equips the called. He does not need ability more than He needs availability. The Great Commission is for all of us beloved. There is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun and we are living in the last days. The false teachers and prophets have already infiltrated the church and are leading many astray. The unity of the saints starts and ends with the Gospel not the church. 2Thessalonians teaches us that one of the aspects of God's will for us is that we "test everything." 1John teaches us that we must test every spirit. These are two areas we need to improve in desperately if we are to stop the small compromises which lead to the large scale erosion that is eating away at the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Reverend