Victimhood Gospel

 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

- Galatians 1:6-9

We live and are dominated by a me-centered culture. The "gospel" that many people are receiving is nowhere close to Biblical. When the focus is taken off of Jesus and placed on the one in the pulpit week after week, the church has been reduced to a pulpit reality show. Its no longer a house of faith, but a house of cards. The Spirit of God is not there, so what you have is a dead church. 

Why?

Because the one mis-leading the flock preaches victimization and racial social injustice instead of Biblical truth. The writer does not see how this greviance gospel empowers and matures the body of Christ for spiritual edification and battle against the forces of darkness. You see, grievance preachers (lets call them GP's for short), do not have a concern for holiness and preaching repentance, they only have a desire to promote their own revolutionary agenda. All they do week after week is innoculate the masses with screaming fits of what they perceive is justified outrage against the black community. This remark is obviously against the black preacher that claims he is also a civil rights activist. 

If one desires to be a civil rights leader, then leave the pulpit alone. Those that abuse the holy office of Pastor and use said office to preach social activism is serving two masters - the very thing Jesus commanded us not to do (Matthew 6:24). I realize many will disagree with me and that is their right, but I do not believe politics has any place in the pulpit. Politics affects our lives everyday, but if one is preaching politics and grievance, the true gospel is smothered. 

The GP is a Whiner

GP's lack courage in the writer's opinion. Why do I say that? Because they are unwilling to offend their parishoners with the truth. Offending should never be the aim of the preacher, but God's gospel will naturally offend the sinner's sense of ethics, and it should. The ungenerate are headed toward destruction, eternally less they repent. The true gospel is the most offensive message in the universe. But if heeded, it will be the sweetest message in the universe. It is all in how it is received by the listener. 

Sadly the GP instead of preaching Christ and Him crucified, they're whining about DEI the racism of Trump and reparations - wanting a check although have never been a slave. There are also those that advocate for abortion and the LGBTQIA+ agenda. Why would a preacher champion unrighteousness unless they are a false prophet, a wolf in sheep's clothes? Those that do these things have desecrated the holy office of Pastor and should be immediately removed from the pulpit.

So child of God, are you victorious and more than a conqueror like the Bible declares, or do you regard yourself as a perpetual victim of a godless social political labyrinth? Do you worship at the altar of self-pity and whining all day, or are you going to renew your mind with the Word of God and regain the right focus? There is so much joy when we know the truth and encourge ourselves with it through meditation. It gives me the hope I need from day to day that all this hell on earth one day will literally burn! 

Come Lord Jesus Come!!

We need to hold these false teachers accountable for their actions. I am not saying we have to put them under a religious microscope and monitor everything they say and do. No one deserves that. But to whom much is given, much is required. Are they (or any of us for that matter) preaching the core doctrines of the faith: repentance from sins. Jesus as the only Way, Truth and Life to the Father God (did you get that Steve Harvey?). The Trinity. Virgin Birth. Death and Resurrection of Christ. His return to earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. These are nonegoitable truths that every Christian must believe and teach. We must be unified in these teachings, always.

When one understands and mediate on these truths, they will not stray away and be capitivated by vain philosphies no matter how alluring they are. All one has to do is filter all worldviews through the lense of scripture and see if the view supports or denies the gospel.

What happens when a Christian lives like the world?

You see, when questions like these are asked "What happens when a Christian lives like the world", it is necessary to go back to the basics. Who or what is a Christian? Well known people like Don Lemon who is homosexual and "married" claims to be a Christian. Others like Steve Harvey believes that Jesus is not the only way to salvation yet professes to be a Christian. Even the most venerated of all black people Dr. Martin Luther King Jr who was a Baptist preacher did not believe in the central and core doctrines of the Christian Faith like the resurrection of Jesus on which our faith rests. Long time word of faith teacher Kenneth Copeland said that when Jesus was dying on the cross He took on the nature of Satan, went to hell and was beat up by the devil and demons for three days.

Think about the implications of Kenneth's heterodoxy. He said Jesus was possessed by the devil while dying on the cross! Kenneth Copeland is and has been a false teacher for decades and must be marked and avoided (Romans 16:17-18).

Simply put a Christian is someone who has placed their faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins to receive eternal life. Also, a Christian is a disciple of Christ. A real Christian realizes that Jesus is the only way to be saved. Jesus said of Himself, "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). Peter in Acts 4:12 said, "There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved"

The prophet Isaiah said regarding the Lord, "And understand that I AM HE. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior (emphasis added). I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, and there is no foreign god among you" (Isaiah 43:10b-12). You can read my article on what is a Christian by clicking here: 

https://gospelofrepentance.blogspot.com/2023/09/what-is-christian.html 

To be honest the word Christian and Christianity does not have a glowing reputation because of what has been done in the name of Christianity. Slavery has been justified in the name of Christianity. So were the Crusades from the 11th to 13th centuries. Those that fought in the crusades against Muslims to recover the Holy Land of Jerusalem were promised they would receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven if they did so by Pope Urban II.

So when people claim they are Christians and live like hell, the authentic gospel fades in the shadows so much so when those of us who declare the actual truth of the scriptures, it is rejected. The Bible way is the narrow way and for most who claim to be Christians feel that narrow way is suffocating and want nothing to do with it. For many the Word of God is legalistic. What has been the fall out of this? The social gospel has taken center stage sharing its deceptive shine with the prosperity and political (or what I call the grievance) gospel. Guess what, although the aforementioned are popular, they are fake gospels. Remember, gospel means good news. At the end of the day none of these are the good news - they cannot save the soul.

It is essential to carefully and Biblically analyze who a Christian is by the scriptures.

Is a person a Christian if they habitually sin and never repent yet they claim to still be a Christian?

The writer would argue that person does not know what a Christian is. We see this all the time with celebrities who will do the most heinous things on stage and screen. Yet when they win an award, they have the audacity to thank Jesus Christ with tears in their eyes. That is hypocrisy. Remember, we all can see the difference between a good tree and a bad one. Every tree bears fruit after its own kind. For those of us who are living faithfully by the Bible, how should we address this? Should we condemn them to hell? Absolutely not! Is that where they are going if they do not genuinely repent? Unfortunately and tragically yes. You see we all have short term memories. That is why we need to continually feed on God’s word so we can remain spirit filled. The Psalmist said it best, “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you" (emphasis added, Psalm 119:11) . The power of God’s word convicts and compels us to successfully conquer sin in ours lives. Without it, we are sitting ducks for the devil’s attacks. That’s a shame, many are going to spiritual war naked - that person is defeated before the battle begins.

A real Christian is always thankful and remembers what Jesus has done for them. As a result, when they sin, they're devasted and will go to the Lord and humbly ask for forgiveness so their fellowship with the Father is not broken. A person who claims to be a Christian yet continues in sin without any godly repentance should be very careful. 1) They may be a fake Christian and that is why they live ungodly although they attend church and are in the choir so they "feel" saved. Its an emotional-gospel experience for the hour. Or 2) They may be a Christian, but their lives betray their profession of faith; they are in a pattern of sin which they know is wrong. If they are not careful, God may give them over to the devil (1 Corinthians 5:5). You see the difference between the two is the fake Christian does not feel bad about their sin, so they continue in it. The second person knows their sin is wrong, but has decided to give in to their sinful desires and fulfill their lustful flesh.

Both of these types of people are hypocrites and makes Jesus and His church look bad to the world. All the more reason for those that are faithful to teaching and preaching and living the truth have to always do damage control. Its not pleasurable but it is crucial to correct those in the Church that are wrong. This always causes dissension between mature and immature Christians.

How should Christians live in this world of sin?

The Bible commands us that although we are in the world we are not be of it (John 17:14-16). Believers are members of the ekklesia which means called out ones. We morally must practice separatism - obey God's commands and disobey the world's commands that contradict the Lord's. This makes us hated and a target of all who oppose the truth. Jesus warned His disciples of this reality ahead of time (John 15:19). Living counter culture takes courage and strength. Declaring the gospel will guarantee you enemies. Why? Because men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). We are commanded not to love the world - that is the evil godless system. If we do, the love the Father is not in us (1 John 2:15).

To put it simply and bluntly, love what God loves and hate what God hates.

God, Jesus, and the Bible are under constant attack. We must defend them all. It is our charge and one we must be honored to be enlisted in the war for truth. The writer describes it as a glorious burden because it honors God (Matthew 11:28-30). The more vigorous the devil is with his lies, the even more determined we must be in declaring the truth to quench his fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16).

The faithful Christian will be one where we always speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). What does that mean? It means we imitate our Lord Jesus. We never deviate from the truth of those who need to hear it, at the same time have a burden for the souls of all. It is the kindness of the Lord that leads to repentance of sin and salvation (Romans 2:4). The most important thing of all is for someone to repent of their sins and receive salvation. Everything else is secondary - social justice, taking care of material needs and political correctness. Nothing else matters if the person dies and loses their soul in a eternal hell.

How Does Jesus Treat Sinners?

The first question we need to answer is this: Why did Jesus come to the earth in the first place? Jesus answered that question when He was talking to the tax collector Zacchaeus in Luke 19:10, "to seek and save those who are lost." Jesus also told Nicodemus that the Father so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him should not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16).  

So for the love of God toward His creation is why Jesus was sent. Jesus was sent by God to rescue us from our sins (Matthew 1:21). To this very minute that message is lost to most of the world. In other words, they may be hearing the message, but they are not listening to it and allowing it to transform their lives - it's mental assent[i] at best, and downright rejection of gospel truth at the worst.

The first thing Jesus did was He identified with sinners. How? He was baptized by John. When John was baptizing in the Jordan River, people were publicly confessing their sins. John explains the reason for this: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).

To baptize means to dip or immerse. Water baptism is symbolic. When one is placed under water that signifies death and burial. When one is taken out of the water that signifies resurrection life. Today when a person is baptized, it is not nor has it ever been for the purpose of salvation, but one is declaring publicly that they are identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some have called water baptism an outward sign of an inward grace. We get baptized because we are saved, not to get saved. It is a sacrament of the Church along with communion.

For another insight on baptism, click on the link below.[ii]

After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by the devil, He immediately begins to preach the gospel of repentance in Galilee. In Matthew 4:17 He commands everyone to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus is fulfilling the mission of why He was sent by the Father.

Jesus goes deeper into how we are to conduct ourselves toward God and one another when He preaches in depth on the sermon on the mountain in Matthew chapters 5-7. 

Jesus had compassion on all sinners

A major element of Jesus’ ministry was healing and performing miraculous signs. This was so he could prove He was sent from the Father God. He healed the sick. He cast out demons. He raised the dead. He fed the multitudes with a few loaves and fish. He walked on water. He commanded the stormy seas to be quiet and be at peace and they obeyed. He escaped death numerous times. The one thing that people did not see but heard was that He forgave their sins. This caused great controversy with the religious leaders because they knew only God could forgive sins (Mark 2:5-6). They were never going to believe and accept that Jesus was God in the flesh. He didn’t come from a noble birth. As far as they were concerned, He was the son of Joseph a carpenter from Nazareth (Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3).

You see Jesus never avoided talking about our sins, but at the same time because of His unfailing love, He forgives all who genuinely repents of them. In John 6:37 Jesus says, “All that the Father gives to Me will come to Me, and the one that comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” The clear implication here is those that come to Christ have acknowledged their unworthiness and are placing their lives at the throne of His mercy. In Hebrews 4:16 we read these powerful words, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

There is NOT a moment in our lives where we do not need the Lord’s mercy and grace.

The idea that God incarnate would dwell with sinful mankind for any length of time is mind boggling to the writer; and He did it for three years! This speaks to the transcendent love of our Lord for His creation who is hopelessly lost without Him. Our sin state is so depraved, that God the Father punished His Son instead of us. Why (Isaiah 53:5;2 Cor 5:21)?

That was the predetermined plan before the beginning of time. The Bible says that Jesus is the lamb slain before the world began (Revelation 13:8). That is predestination language, God’s love language. It was always in the plan of God to save those who would repent and believe in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ.  In order for man to inherit eternal life, Jesus had to die. 

The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Romans 5:20-21 says where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s grace is infinitely greater than man’s sin. But this grace is only available to those who repent of their sins and place their faith in Jesus Christ, alone. 

Jesus loves sinners

Many have asked the question why would God create man if He knew we would fall into sin? This is a valid question. The easy answer is to say that "we do not know" why God created us since He knew in advance it man would sin. The more complex answer that I believe is Biblically supported is that God ordained all things ultimately for His own glory - even the moral fall of mankind. Think about it, if man never fell into sin, we never know and experience the love and grace of God the Father in Christ Jesus to forgive sins when one repents. When anyone stops being a slave to sin and becomes a slave to righteousness, that gives glory to God. There are many things about God we do not understand; we are finite. God is infinite. God's ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  So it seemed to serve God’s glory best to allow man the choice to choose good or evil, to obey or disobey. Adam and Eve chose to disobey and plunge the human race into ruin.

We cannot lay the blame of man's sin at God's doorstep because He made us. God made mankind perfect (Genesis 1:26-31). We all are free moral agents and we know right from wrong even at a very young age. The person that crashes their car into a light pole because they were driving to fast and drunk cannot rightfully blame the manufacturer or the dealership for their accident. They have to take responsibility for their actions. Can the person who dies of lung cancer after smoking cigarettes for 50 years family members blame and sue the tobacco company when the smoker knew the risks? Can the murderer who kills an old lady with a gun blame and take the gun manufacturer to court although he pulled the trigger of his own free will?

We all know the answers to these questions.

So by allowing sin to exist, God demonstrated the wonders of His grace in a way He never would have been able to had man never sinned. Please understand me, that does not mean God wanted sin to occur; He commands us not to sin. But the Lord knowing our evil nature provided the only way for us to conquer our sins. through the shed blood of Christ. This way, God glorifies Himself in His love toward us. Jesus said to His disciples, “No greater love is there than this, that one would lay down His life for His friends” (John 15:13).  

The lengths the Lord has gone through to secure our salvation should humble any heart and cause us to lift our hands and praise God in private and public. To reject His love is the ultimate blasphemy against the Lord. When one rejects God’s love, the only thing left for that person is God’s just wrath.

The Lord Jesus’ arms are still stretched out wide to receive all who genuinely come to Him. Think about it? With all the rising evil in our world today, why would anyone refuse to come to Jesus? If your life is a mess, repent of your sins today, trust in what He did for your sins on the cross, so that your soul is saved. Receiving Jesus does not necessarily mean your life here on earth will get better, it may get worse naturally speaking. So now one may be asking, “Then why trust in Christ if my life will not improve?” The fact that you are saved and your sins and are forgiven is ultimate victory. We do not have long to be here. This world is passing away so don’t focus on the here and now to the point that it paralyses you with fear. If you become very wealthy, to do not let that lull you to sleep that you are ineffective for the kingdom. We as believers are looking toward a new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells forever (2 Peter 3:13). We must focus on the eternal, not the temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18). 

Stay vigilant! You're an ambassador for Christ now. Run your race with joy.

You must be willing to lose this world and have your soul saved rather than gain this world and lose your soul (Matthew 16:26).

Faith, forgiveness of sins, salvation, peace, the afterlife and so much more are the blessings children of God enjoy now and forever.

This is all because of the love of God in Christ Jesus. Everyone wants peace in their lives. Jesus Christ is the only way to that peace (John 14:27).

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

“Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden  your hearts as in the rebellion” (Hebrews 3:15). 

 

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[i] Mental assent refers to the intellectual agreement with or acceptance of certain beliefs or truths, particularly in a religious context, without allowing those beliefs to impact one's heart or actions. It is often seen as a superficial understanding of faith, lacking the transformative power that genuine faith can bring.

[ii] https://learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/why-was-jesus-baptized  

 

Emotional Gospel

The word emotion comes from the Latin word "emovere" which means to stir up or agitate. It was adapted into Middle French as "emotion" which referred to a social disturbance or agitation. So emotional would be an adjective describing a person's state mind and being. When a person is emotional, they are very passionate about what they are doing and /or saying to get their point across. Emotions are and should be high when one is performing (I'll get back to the word performing later in the article) in sports, singing and acting on stage or on the big screen. Emoting in these arenas is essential.

Now, let’s talk about emoting in the pulpit. Is there a place for it or no? Or should one be stoic and melancholy? We all are emotional beings. The good Lord made us that way. But with anything, a healthy balance is the key right? 

I have always been a keen observer of people. And since I am a Christian, I definitely have my focus on the Church - all the time everyday. What I am observing now is sad. 1) The Church is too feminized - we have women in positions they have no Biblical right to be in. They are claiming they are Apostles and Prophetesses, Pastors and Co-Pastors with their husbands. And because of this unbiblical leadership we have )2 false prophecies running amuck and silly women along with weak men co-signing this foolishness in the congregations. What is the tragic result: emotional gospel. 

We are definitely hard headed people. God help us!

Tickle Me Elmo!

Elmo is a Muppet character from the children's television program Sesame Street. In 1996 a plush toy was made of the character named "Tickle Me Elmo." When squeezed Elmo would belt out his silly little laugh. Unfortunately, I liken this seeker sensitive Church cult we are experiencing like that toy from the nineties. The "preacher" in the pulpit are saying ticklish things that parishioners can laugh and emotionally cry about, but not much else. We are in the church era of good feelings. These are TED Talks in the pulpit; its reality TV. It may sound and look good, but it’s spiritual diabetes - it’s poison to the soul. 

This is what Paul commanded Timothy to do: 

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears (emphasis added) they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths (2 Timothy 4:1-4).

If you are keeping a pulse on what is going in the Church, this is where we are right now! Many have walked away 

from the truth and sound doctrine, and have decided to dis-engage their minds and are paying for false teachers to tell them what they want to hear. This is typical of the rebellious heart of humans to push God aside and to put an idol on their hearts instead of the liberating truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  What is the result of this? 

"Tickle-Me-Elmo!" Emotional Gospel.

Come Get Your Tickets!

Numerous mega churches have a concert atmosphere. The false teacher is the main attraction not the Lord. There seems to be a dying breed of sound Bible expositors men like: Billy G. Ingram, Voodie Baucham, RC Sproul, John MacArthur, Charles Stanley all who have gone on to glory. Fortunately we still have Allister Begg, Sinclair Ferguson, Stephen Nichols, Chuck Swindoll, Justin Peters, Paul Washer, David Jeremiah, Todd Friel, Darrell Harrison and Virgil Walker, et al.

In these performing art centers there is super hyperactive music that will obviously produce an overload of dopamine levels. But in order to keep the party going, the performer in the pulpit has to keep-the-needle-on-the-record with the music going in the background in order to keep the attention of the dupes in the audience. How does he or she do this? Ignore sound doctrine, but at the same time sprinkle in some Bible verses they always, and I mean always use out of context so as to appear they have fidelity to God and His word when in actuality they are building a monument to themselves like Saul did when he claimed he obeyed God when commanded to destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:12).

These are not teachers / preachers of the gospel, they are hypnotists casting spells on the undiscerning.

Like Paul said in Galatians 1 these false teachers are preaching a different gospel. Paul also said if anyone teaches any other gospel other than the true gospel let them be accursed (Galatians 1:6-8). Translation, let them be condemned to destruction! Paul also commanded that we mark and avoid those who cause divisions by teaching false doctrines and thus disrupt the unity of the body (Romans 16:17-18).

Paul gave Titus who was a Pastor this charge:

For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should appoint elders in every city as I commanded you - if a man is blameless, the husband of  one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God. not self-willed, not quick tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober minded, just, holy, self controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict (or rebuke) who contradict (speak against the word of God) Titus 1:5-9.

God refuses to be mocked (Galatians 6:7).

I have said this before and I am saying it again, the most dangerous person in the world is a false teacher. Why? Because they are wolves in sheep's clothing; they appear as preachers of righteousness. They have the Christian lingo, cadence and charisma. They know enough Bible verses to give the illusion they are genuine. The mega church atmosphere, the clothes they wear, the money they have, the beautiful family provide the optics of success and holiness. Looking at all of that, they can sell the idea that they are blessed of God because they are rich - but not in spirit. 

True witnesses of Christ never put the focus on what they have because that is not what a real shepherd does. Neither do they puff themselves up like false teachers do. The Apostle Peter commanded the following of elders / bishops / pastors:

So I exhort the elders among you. as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed; shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain (emphasis added), but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears (Jesus Christ), you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Those that do not heed the words of Peter and Paul that I have cited in this article and continue to minstrel God, the Church and the gospel will sadly give more material to comedians like Druski to parody and lampoon the God we serve. Proverbs 25:26 says, “A righteous man who falls before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.”

Many are making God look foolish to the world. Either live right or stop calling on His name.

So, to those women who are rebellious and out of pocket; pastoring churches when God has clearly forbidden you because God has charged qualified men with headship of HIS Church, not yours (1 Tim 3; Titus 1). Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Stop usurping authority over men and obey God. Do you think the Lord is blessing “your church” because it’s large and filled every week? You’re just as valuable as men in the Church, but you’re not supposed to share the same authority. Just as the man is the head of his wife in the home, the man is also the head of the woman in the Church. Women can teach women and children, but not men in a Pastoral capacity. 

This ordinance did not disappear after the first century. It also is not misogyny for me to say these things either. It’s the Word of God. It does not matter if a woman has her DDiv or MDiv. This is one of the main reasons the Church is dysfunctional; once again unbiblical leadership- silly and rebellious women in charge and weak men who are simping for them.

Jesus died and shed his precious blood to redeem us. He deserves far better than what many of these Churches are doing.

For the Churches that are apostate, I implore you, repent, love God, teach the Word faithfully so that souls are saved. Leave the worldly culture out where it belongs, in the streets.

 

Immutable Doctrine With a Gentle Spirit

We as Christians are always criticized even by other Christians when we take a firm stance on doctrine. Biblical doctrine for many is harsh, inflexible, graceless and antiquated. Nothing could be further from the truth. Without Holy scripture as our guide, we are in a tangled theological wilderness with no light to illuminate our path. This ignorance opens the door to numerous vain philosophies that twists our minds and perverts our purpose. 

Sadly, these vain philosophies run rampant in Churches today. Why? 1) False teaching from the pulpit. When the blind (inept preacher) leads the blind (naive parishioner) as Jesus said they will into fall into a ditch - an abyss of ignorance shame and disgrace (Matthew 15:4). 2) Baby Christians ape what they hear from their Pastors as divine revelation so they merchandise these messages to those they know instead of being like the noble Berean to search the scriptures daily to prove what they are hearing is true, or false (Acts 17:11). I know what I am talking about. In my naïveté I aped false teaching for years.

So, how do we strike the absolute necessary yet delicate balance with God’s unchanging word with those who need to hear it? We have to be firm and loving at the same time. No wiggle room is allowed when dealing with God’s absolute truth. We have to tell like it is. This approach seems to many ruthless, arrogant and unloving. What about all the other religions out there? Certainly they have truth too don’t they? Why do you Christians think you’re the only ones that have it right?

Christians didn’t author the Words of God. Did you read that statement carefully? God authored His own words. He supernaturally inspired or breathed out His words out to a few select men throughout antiquity (2 Timothy 3:16). In second Peter we read these words, "the word of prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). God told them what to write and they wrote no more or less than what He commanded.

And the by the way, these men were either eyewitnesses or associates of eyewitnesses of what they wrote.

Other religions / cults do not understand or teach the gospel. Other religions / cults do not have an answer for the atonement of sin. That is the problem of all mankind. The prophet Isaiah told the nation of Israel that yours sins (italics mine) have separated you from your God (Isaiah 59:2). In order for our sins to be washed away and forgiven, we need a mediator, an intercessor, a vicar. Someone who can advocate on our behalf and absorb the punishment for our transgressions that we owe to God (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus Christ was/is now that ongoing perfect sacrifice for mankind's sin. Despite the erroneous view of some who believe that God the Father punishing His Son was "cosmic child abuse" do not understand God's love for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but will have eternal life (John 3:16). No greater love is there than this that a man would lay down His life for His friends (John 15:13). 

Mankind's sinfulness is so egregious and offensive to God that it took the necessity of the spotless, sinless Son of God to be sent from heaven to come and die a sinner's death on our behalf. Sin is a debt owed to God. The payment for sin is bloodshed and death (Romans 6:23). It had to come from someone who was sinless in order for God's wrath to be appeased. Jesus was the only one qualified to fulfill this vicarious sacrifice. He who knew no sin became sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is what scholars call double imputation. We placed our sins on Christ when we believed. He in turn grants us His righteousness like He did with Abraham (Genesis 15:6).

Here is tremendous wisdom from Paul, "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised for of our justification" (Romans 4:25). Did you catch the import of this one verse? We are the reason salvation is necessary. Ours sins were in the way of having a relationship with the Father. But, because of Jesus Christ being the bridge that we had to cross in order to get to the Father provided the only way for our broken fellowship with the Father to be repaired. Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me (John 14:6).

Immutable doctrine yet with a gentle spirit.

This is the unequivocal gospel we MUST preach to the nations. It is the only gospel that saves the soul.

The Bible is full of grace and truth. Love is never absent from grace and truth, please remember that. The problem is not with the message, but many times with the messenger - the one delivering the message. Why our good is often spoken of as evil is because the person delivering the truth is malicious- they are speaking the truth, but NOT in love like the Bible commands (Ephesians 4:15). This makes God look bad to the world because of the way we sometimes misrepresent him. Those who share the gospel MUST be humble, never looking to condemn a person. The word of God will do that to a guilty sinner on its own. We have to be a mouthpiece of kindness and truthfulness with a burden for the lost person's soul.

Another way to say Immutable doctrine with a gentle spirit is speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). If you want to see these virtues in action, read the gospels that portray the life of Jesus. Read the books of Paul where he explains how to live the Christian life doctrinally. Read the books of Peter, James, Jude and John that also teach how we are to live as Christians in a world that is under the influence of Satan (1 John 5:19).

Contrary to contemporary popular opinion, the gospel is not hate speech, its truth and love speech. Man is dead in sin that is why his thinking is backwards. The gospel is a living breathing organism full of the Spirit of God. God desires to give man life - eternal life, but sinful man is seeking death - everlasting death. How do I know? How about some Old Testament wisdom: There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). King Solomon talking about righteous wisdom personified: "For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul. All those who hate me love death" (Proverbs 8:35-36).

Concluding, the opposite of Immutable Doctrine with a gentle spirit is what the writer call a flabby doctrine with a deceptive spirit -i.e. a person that rejects Biblical truth will turn to fables. Because they are in a church atmosphere, the music is loud and melodic. The person on stage is quoting Bible verses out of context because they are anemic on doctrine, the layperson is emotionally caught up. For them, this is a visitation from the Lord. Their mind is disengaged and the "feel-good" is all that matters to them. They have reached their euphoria for a couple of hours, and they go back home having learned nothing about God's word; even more spiritually deficient than before they entered the building. Friends, we need to care way more about our growth in the Lord than a lame pathetic experience like that! On top of that they are going to beg for your money and lie about the cars, houses, healing and riches you're going to receive in return.

Paul commanded Timothy to:

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, will all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

- 2 Timothy 4:2-4

Dead and Dying

 The writer realizes this is a bizarre, strange and morbid title. How can one be dead before they die? This title only makes sense if one has a Biblical worldview. You see when we are born, we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1; Col 2:13). We are born spiritually dead. Why? Because we are born into this world separated from God. What did John the Baptist say in John 3:36, “He that has the Son has life. He that does not have the Son does not have life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” 

Jesus said. “I Am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). Jesus also said to Martha, “I Am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die (John 11:25-26). So here is the reality. If your life belongs to Jesus you have eternal life. If you die, you will live forever as an immortal being. If you do not belong to the Lord, you are dead spiritually because the Holy Spirit does not dwell on the inside of you. You are disconnected from God. If a person dies having never repented of their sins, they will experience what the Bible calls the second death (Revelation 20:14). This second death will cast a soul into an everlasting hell. There is no hope for a person who dies in their sins. They will die twice - physically and spiritually.

Here is an insight that most people do not realize: If you’re in Christ you will most likely die once and guaranteed to be born twice. I say most likely because most of us will die psychically unless we are alive when the rapture takes place. But as a general rule, we will die once. The believer is born of flesh and is born again of the Spirit (John 3). But once we are resurrected from death, we will live forever. But with the wicked that is not the case. The unredeemed will live once and die twice. Let that sink in.

Here’s the life death sequence for every soul that will ever live:

For the believer: born→born again→may taste physical death=eternal life

For the unbeliever: born→death→second death=eternal damnation

Both scenarios are guaranteed.

“Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth?” -Galatians 4:16

Narcissism

The arrogance of mankind has no boundaries. This arrogance stems from our inherent wicked nature. It is vital I highlight the wickedness of man in hopes that he will see his depravity the way God sees it - deplorable in His sight. As long as man thinks he is getting away with his sin, there is no stopping what he plans to do. The more evil he believes he can get away with, the more he wants. Our sin is worse than any addictive street drug - it provides a perverse pleasure that if not stopped will kill us dead (pun intended) in our tracks.

The word Narcissism comes from Greek mythology. It comes from the tale of Narcissus, a young man who was known for his good looks. He was loved by gods, mortals and nymphs, but he rejected all who admired him due to being so self-absorbed. Narcissus was cursed by the goddess of revenge Nemesis who led him to a pool of water where he saw the reflection of his own image. He was so enamored with himself that he could not look away. This curse of self-love along with the fact that his reflection could not love him back eventually led to Narcissus' demise.  This cautionary tale provides a real life lesson. Today it means someone who is self-absorbed and who has an inflated sense of who they are. Some have called it a God Complex. The Bible calls this vanity. Being vain will lead to your demise just as it did Narcissus. The term has crossed over from being mythological to morphing into a psychological condition. 

Now medical professionals love to psycho analyze everyone as having some kind of disorder so they can prescribe medication for it. Narcissism at its root is sin. People choose to be arrogant and self absorbed. Why? Many people believe, perhaps due to their pedigree, good looks, athleticism, education, success and money, that they are better than others who do not possess those things. Many believe people are where they are because some are lucky and others are not. Luck had nothing to do with it. YES! You heard me correctly! Luck had nothing to do with it.

Those that are successful in life have worked hard to get there and deserve what they have achieved. It did not come easy and it is not supposed to. Oftentimes those that have not reached a level of success have not worked very hard. Obviously this is not always the case. There are those that have worked very hard and tough breaks, setbacks have gotten in the way. Life is tough for most of us. Things do not always turn out the way we want them to. Equal opportunities does not always mean equal outcomes. 

Sometimes even those who do not work as hard as their counterparts receive blessings beyond those who work harder. We call that favor. God is sovereign. He can bless one over the other for His reasons alone. God's grace should cause us to fall on our hands and knees and worship Him for having mercy on us. There is never any room for arrogance.

The Narcissist is a fool of fools. The reason I say this is because they believe they can match wits with God. Proverbs 21:30 tells us that there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the Lord. There would be no reason for the writer of Proverbs King Solomon to provide that caveat unless there are those who believe they are wiser than their Maker.

Paul said in Romans 1:22 regarding the Narcissist, "Professing themselves (italics mine, added for emphasis) to be wise they have become fools." 

This writer cannot stand people like that. If you're an enemy of God, you are an enemy of mine. By the grace of God, I'm the praying kind - I war in the Spirit and not in the flesh. What does that mean? I pray for my enemies even when my wicked flesh tempts me not to. 

The goal of this article is to wake those of you up who have been lulled to sleep due to narcissism. The word of God tells us to therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed less you fall (1Corinthians 10:12).

Scripture also tells us God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

King Nebuchadnezzar 

Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon from 605-562 B.C. He ruled during the Neo Babylonian Empire. He was the king that invaded Israel in three sieges. The first one in 605 B.C., the second in 597 B.C., and final invasion in 587/586 B.C. He stole the money from the treasury, the holy articles, from the temple in Jerusalem and burned the temple and city to the ground. This was literally the death of a nation for 70 years. Jeremiah the prophet was the mouth piece of God during this era and was an eyewitness to the nation's destruction. That is why the Book of Lamentations is ascribed to him. Under King Cyrus (See the book of Ezra) about fifty thousand Hebrews in the year 538 B.C. return back home to the Jerusalem ruins to rebuild the temple which began in 536 B.C. This year marked the end of the 70 years of captivity (i.e. 605-536 = 70 physical years). The temple was finished 20 years later in 516 B.C.

We read in Daniel chapter 4 that Nebuchadnezzar has a dream of a huge tree that fills the earth and reaches to the heavens. All the animals reside in its shade along with birds living on its branches. All are fed from this massive tree. In his dream the king sees a holy one say cut down the tree, strip the leaves, cut off the branches, and get rid of its fruit and leave the stump and the roots in the ground. Let the stump get wet with the morning dew. Let the stump graze with beasts. Let his heart be changed from that of a man to that of a beast. Let seven times (or years) pass over him until he realizes that the Most High rules in the world of men, and the Lord gives power and authority to whomever He chooses.  Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by the dream calls in his fortune tellers, dreamologists, wise men, astrologers and magicians, but none of them can interpret the dream except Daniel. Daniel loves the king, and wishes the fate of the king was reserved for his enemies (vs.19). Daniel explains to the king the massive tree is him, and urges the king to repent or else everything he saw in the dream will come true. Well, exactly a year later the dream is fulfilled. Nebuchadnezzar literally loses his mind and starts eating grass like an ox. This type of condition today is known as a psychosis called Boanthropy. Bo comes from the Greek Bous which means cow or ox, and Anthropos which is Greek for human. When you combine the terms its a human behaving like a cow or ox, crawling on the ground and eating grass. This was the life of the most powerful man on earth for seven years because he was a narcissist. He gave himself instead of God glory for his power, fame, success and wealth.

This was what Nebuchadnezzar said a year after Daniel interpreted his dream warning the king to repent. All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. At the end of twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"

While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken, the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men and gives it to whomever He chooses. That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like bird's claws (Daniel 4:28-33).

It was at that point that Nebuchadnezzar went through his humiliation which was an extreme act of grace and mercy by the Lord. God had every right to strike him dead for his arrogance.

This is what Nebuchadnezzar said after his judgment was over:

And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have you done?" At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the king of Heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down (vv 34-37).

This entire chapter of Daniel was written by Nebuchadnezzar. This address was sent to the entire known world at that time to declare to all the inhabitants of the earth how God dealt with him; from his great power, to his epic fall from that power, to being restored to majesty after the confession of his sin to the Lord.

While I can't prove it for certain, I believe Nebuchadnezzar went to heaven after he died based on his global confession of his sin and faith in the one true God of the universe. He was a pagan of pagans. He thought himself to be a god as he erected a gold image of himself which measured 90 feet high by 9 feet wide. He commanded all to worship the image or be put to death. This is what got Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego thrown in the fiery furnace because they refused to bow and worship the image. (Daniel 3). This event in antiquity is eerily similar to what will happen in the end times when the false prophet will force the world to worship the image of the beast/antichrist and take his mark of 666 in Revelation 13 or face death by decapitation.

Landing the plane

So, the moral of this story is Narcissism is satanic. Read what happened to Lucifer (now the devil and Satan) in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28. I see this attitude in politics and even worse in our Churches. How many people, men and women running around claiming they are prophets and prophetesses declaring they have a new and fresh word from the Lord when they know they are lying? So, the codified Word of God isn't enough? Do we need new revelation today?  How many of them are greedy for money? So many of them are bullies in the pulpit, belittling God's flock. And worst of all, most of them are Biblically illiterate. They cannot even exegete John 3:16 properly yet they claim the Lord is speaking to them? All of these charlatans need to shut their ministries down. They need to be educated in truth instead of mis-educating the masses with seeker sensitive falsehoods.

Therefore humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

- 1 Peter 5:6