The book of Proverbs tells us "do not be deceived, bad company corrupts good morals." Good advice, not only because it is Godly, but because it is true. And there is a great amount of deception out there today, and God warns us that even the elect can be drawn into it, if not careful. Some lies are subtle, some are pretty blatant, but all lead to one thing-destruction. And this is one sin that definitely isn't isolated. I was at a dinner recently when a man was telling a pastor how a friend of his had a vision of heaven. And how he was going to put it out on DVD for others to see, and he would get one for this pastor. And the pastor thought it was a good idea. And as I stood in shock, and embarrassment, I thought "here goes another spirit of antichrist, getting our eyes off of Jesus and onto anything else." Perhaps the scripture about heaven, "eye has not seen, ear has not heard, or the mind imagined the things of Heaven," doesn't apply to book tours and DVD sales. Or talk shows or Oprah, or cults either.
I was with a national ministry for 34 years until they started taking paths, unknowingly, against scripture. When men within the group started quoting Oprah, denying the Bible, and admitting heretical, cultic practices into the ministry, it was time to leave. And when pointed out these non-Biblical activities, I was branded the outlaw. Unity in the ministry is more important than unity in the spirit. Think our way, don't make waves-and what was once a ministry, is now a weakened social club-too blind to see the error of following lies. And wondering what went wrong? Sadly, proving scripture correct-bad company, those who follow man instead of God, ruin good morals, and relationships. And it is at all levels, and not just this ministry. A state leader told me once "don't ever say anything wrong about TV evangelists, I got saved by one." Funny, I thought Jesus Christ saves. Be wary, lest ye fall. Sadly, this couples life reflects the evangelist-I wish it didn't. No matter how much you believe a lie, it is still a lie. And just because you don't believe the truth doesn't make it not true.
Jesus came to separate the sheep-Christians, from the goats-the unsaved. It is just that simple, and any philosophy that preaches we all get along is calling God a liar. Cue in music-Kum Bu-a. He warns us not to fellowship with any such non-believer, don't even let them in your house, or bid them Godspeed. That little leaven, watch out, it is soon all through the loaf.
You see when Dorothy told Toto "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore," Toto knew it too. And despite meeting and making friends, she longed for home-much like Christians long for heaven. You see courage only made the lion stronger until he met a situation bigger than him. The scarecrow was only smart until he met some one smarter. And the tin man, didn't realize, yet , the fallacy of trusting your emotions. In each case, something that appeared good, was veiled in sin-letting something else substitute for a relationship with God.
Faith wallowing today? Abram believed the Lord, and God credited to him as righteousness. No acts, no monies, no TV evangelists, or club rules. Abram believed God because He is trustworthy, and knew He would see Him through. And it wasn't Abram's act that made him righteous. It was God, and the relationship he had with Him. He figured that God's adequacy would be enough to see him through-it wasn't about his faith-but God's love. His grace. His mercy. Funny-terms you never find in any other religions, or philosophies. And if they are mentioned, they are all about you. And your feelings. Try this truth. God is love. He is a noun, a verb, an adjective, and an adverb. He is infinite, and omniscient. He is smarter than Oprah, and on more channels. He is the way, the truth , and the light. His book is a best seller, and He never had a book tour. And He won't be found on DVD, as like heaven, no man has seen Him. It takes faith, not much, He does all the work. Look to God, not the situation. Imagine if Abram had looked to Sodom? And not trusted God?
So beware, like Dorothy, for she would never be happy until she was home. And we won't be either. Toto knew. Let nothing-from club rules to bike brands, to false teachings get between you and Christ. Find the truth in God's word. He doesn't change based on opinion polls-we are to change based on the truth, to be found like Him. Like Abram was found. So be counted with the sheep-who know the master's voice. Be counted like Abram, and be found righteous, because you know a righteous God. Test the spirits, and be careful of those whose gospel is not the one written in the Bible.
Sounds like ain't good enough. Looks like, don't work. Following visions? They are to follow you, if you are a Christian and believe. Seek the truth-it will set you free!
Take time to see where God is in your life today. Take your spiritual temperature. It may not be what you think it is. Seek God! Have I made you my enemy by telling you the truth?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
