When people want to be seen as "experts", simple is never good enough. To be an expert, you must know more than the average person. If something is very simple, there is not much need for an "expert". The breeding ground for confusion is when "experts" can take a very simple thing and make it complicated. As a matter of fact, the more complicated it can be made, the more you "need" the experts. Once the general population has been convinced of how complicated a matter is, they can easily be manipulated by a few "experts". This is called "guaranteeing job security". Now let's get back to the specific topic at hand, Christianity.
Jesus never intended Christianity to be some intricate, knowledge based gnostic religion. It took "experts" to turn a simple revelation of God's Will into a theologian-run industry.
If Christianity is so complicated and requires professional theologians to explain it, why can't theologians agree on the basic doctrines. The answer is simple: When you want things to be the way you want them to be, you will find scriptures that back up your premise, even if you have to take them out of context. Any scriptures that you can't use to prove your point, you simply say it "passed away". Over time, one generation passes the wrong doctrines it has learned on to the next generation and that generation gets further from reality by adding it's own wrong understandings to the theology that it passes to the next generation.
Stop for a moment and think about the many different "flavors" of Christianity there are. Then just think of the varied branches of each "flavor". The church (used loosely) is fulfilling the Scripture in Timothy where Paul tells Timothy that in the last days people will heap teachers to themselves that will seduce and deceive people into believing doctrines of devils. Everyone has their "camp". "I'm of Joyce", "I'm of Kenneth", "I'm of Andrew", "I'm of Joel". We need to be "of the Bible".
Everyone has their slant on things. Every day we hear of a new revelation, a new "Word from God" about how to get free, get the double portion anointing, or how if we really want to please God, now we must keep the feasts. I am at the point where I am so saddened and grieved over what I hear coming from "well known" ministers, that I am about ready to distance myself from all of it. I wish there was another name other than "Christian" that I could go by, because the name "Christian" has been completely ruined in the eyes of the world as to meaning anything holy, or pure, or helpful.
Most Christians are so confused they will believe anything they hear from a pulpit or a television. The only reason some won't go to other churches is because of the sign over the door. In reality, it has reached a point now where it almost doesn't matter what sign is over the door. Regardless of what you call the place, once inside, you are going to find a self-help, self improvement, "let's build a bigger building" message. One reason these "masters of confusion" are so adept at keeping people confused is because they are confused themselves. Christians need to quit running here and there saying, "The anointing is over here, the anointing is over there".
Matt 24:23-26
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. KJV The anointing is within you (
1 John 2:27). You don't have to go get it, you just have to go give it. You have everything you need right now. God has made you complete in Christ Jesus. (
Colossians 2:10)
Matt 5:14-16
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. KJV
You ARE the light of the world and you should let your light so shine in front of people that they cannot help but see God in you and by the power of God being manifested in front of them, God will be glorified.
We are told to "let your light shine", this makes it seem as though letting your light shine is to be an easy thing, just let it shine, not make it shine, just let it shine. If you will let it, it will shine automatically.
You are (present tense) the light of the world, not going to be, you are, so shine. As he is so are we, in this world.
1 John 4:17 - Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. KJV
Read all of 1 John, the whole thing is about getting rid of fear and reaching out to help your fellow man by bringing them the help they need. How can we say we love God when we won't love our fellow man. I wish I could come to each of your homes and jobs and just make you reach out to someone.
If a message is a true Gospel message, it will cause you to make a choice, a decision. It will force you into action, which usually will take you outside your comfort zone.
You are the only Jesus some people will ever see. What have you got that you are so afraid of losing? Or rather, what has got you? What is your life?
Look around, everything people have had security in is falling apart. It is time to begin living like heaven. The best you have here is nothing compared to what is being stored up for you. You can't take anything with you to heaven. But whatever you give up here for the gospel's sake will be multiplied and given back.
Quit working for yourself. Work for the Gospel's sake and God will work on your behalf. Now is the time for you to be who you want to be because that is who Jesus has already made you. You are complete in Him, quit trying to add to Him. Just be the you He made you to be. When you act like who you are, the world will see Him.
Out of time, not out of words.
More later.
Acts 2:38;
John 3:5
Threaded Mode
