GraceBro
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Joined: 12/17/2005
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"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4: 3-4
For any discerning Christian the amount of attention and acceptance given to false doctrines, cults and mysticism, of late, is alarming. We have seen a Mormon run for President, Hollywood actors accepting New Age religions without question and pop culture icons given green lights to promote whatever spirituality they desire. And all of them deny Jesus in one way or another.
"One of the mistakes that human beings make is believing that there is only one way to live. And that we don't accept that there are diverse ways of being in the world. That there are millions of ways to be a human being and many paths to what you call god. Her path might be something else and when she gets there she might call it the light. But her loving and her kindness and her generosity if it brings her to the same point it brings you, it doesn't matter if she called it god along the way or not. There couldn't possibly be just one way!" -Oprah Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey Show
“Ninety-eight percent of the principles [in Scientology] are identical to the principles of the Bible….I don’t think that because the word someone uses for spirit is ‘thetan’ that the definition becomes any different.” -Will Smith, The New York Observer
These are just two quotes, but they are from people who are icons in their individual professions and, even worse, they are idolized by millions of people around the world. Furthermore, both of them claim to be Christians despite denying the central tenants of the faith, as Oprah Winfrey, or elevating false beliefs to the same level as the Word of God, like Will Smith. But, this error is not limited to secular arenas. Error and false beliefs permeate Christianity as well.
"These separated churches and communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation... In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church." -Pope Benedict XVI, International Herald Tribune (Europe), 07/11/07
"I am very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven... I believe only God can judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. And I don't know all about their religion, but I know they love God. I have seen their sincerity so I don't know." Joel Osteen, Larry King Live (date unknown)
On the surface all these statements seem harmless and loving. But, to those that know the truth, we can see right through them. Just because someone claims to be a Christians doesn't mean that they are. To most, membership in a church, regardless of the doctrine taught is all that is required to call oneself a Christian. While the definition may be up for debate the foundation of the faith is not.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
"I am the bread of life." John 6:48
"I am the light of the world." John 8:12
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved..." John 10:9
"I am the resurrection and the life." John 11:25
The Words of Jesus Himself testify to the fact that He, alone, is man's only hope of salvation. There are many reasons for why an individual would compromise the truth about Christ. One of the main reasons is the fact that we love to be loved by other people. And the quickest way to receive that love is to deny the deity and uniqueness of Jesus Christ or the supremacy of the Bible. As Christians we need to be sure of what we say we believe and put faith and trust in Christ to help us stand firm for the faith. We must also remember that we were once like the Winfrey's, Smith's, Pope's and Osteen's of the world. But, we found the Lord in the midst of it all. The same is possible for those still lost and deceived by the trappings of the world. It is easy to be led astray by teachings and beliefs that appeal to our flesh. But thanks be to Jesus Christ who rescued us from the darkness and brought us into the light. The love He showed towards us is extended to those that don't know Him yet.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
It can be difficult to stay calm and not want to lash out at those who reveal their unbelief. However, like God, we must be patient, not become easily angered, be hopeful and persevere. These are the attributes that God extended towards us and now wants to produce through us to those we come in contact with. He loves the whole world, even those that deny Him. As long as we keep standing firm we may one day be rewarded by seeing the present enemies of the faith become our staunchest allies and fellow brethren. Let us "scratch" the ears of those that have been led astray by the "itch" of unsound doctrine and myths with the truth of salvation that can only be found in Jesus Christ!
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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GraceRest/
www.livinggodministries.net
http://360.yahoo.com/idog96
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