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The Biblical Case for Discernment

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Let us consider these words for a minute. The power beloved is in the Gospel as we saw in the verse from the Book of Romans. It alone has the power to save. God only needs us to proclaim it. He does not need us to market it. He does not need us to make it more attractive, palatable or relevant. The modern purpose driven church spends so much time changing the Gospel so that people who ordinarily would never come to church might but in the end they cannot be saved by the false gospel they responded to. Jesus actually rebuked the Pharisses for traveling the world to make a single convert but by doing so making them twice the son of hell that they were. The same rebuke lies on the heads of the modern apostate church. As Calvin once said, zeal without doctrine is like a sword in the hands of a lunatic. Note here what actually empties the cross of its power is words of eloquent wisdom, or speech craft. When the speaker insists on their gifts and abilities it distracts from the actual Gospel message. I remember one time a friend was raving about a sermon she had heard at my church that day. When I asked her what it was about she remembered the powerful illustrations but could not remember the message. Our words save no one. Now that we have a better understanding of the Gospel let us turn to the realities of heaven and the sinful state of man:

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. -- Matthew 7:14 (ESV)

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. -- Luke 15:7 (ESV)

America has developed a mega church mentality. We hear fanciful tales from false pastors about thousands of people getting saved on a given day. What that really means is thousands of people were manipulated to raise their hands after hearing a compromised gospel that had no power to save them whatsoever. We believe it though because it sounds so good. That thousands upon thousands of people would all decide to lay down their sins and embrace Christ. Yet what does this verse from Matthew teach us? When it comes to eternal life narrow is the gate! Hard is the way that leads to it! Few are those that find it! Really let that settle in your spirit beloved. The notion that thousands of people en masse will give their lives to the Lord happened once in recorded Scripture -- so we know it can happen but that is the exception not the norm. The norm is that every soul is precious and worth fighting for. That is why the verse from Luke only amplifies the point. Heaven rejoices when one single sinner repents because that is how rare it is! The entire premise of the seeker friendly movement is that people are desperately seeking God when Romans teaches us that none seek after God. Do we want the unsaved to come to church? Absolutely because that is one of the only places they might hear the Gospel, which is the only thing with the power to save them. Now that we have a better understanding of what the Gospel is and the rarity of salvation let us turn to the reality of false teaching in the church:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1 (ESV)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. - Romans 16:17 (ESV)

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions - 2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV)

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV)

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Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to (more...)
 
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