There are a lot of conversations going on - and I'm always grateful for that - whether people agree or disagree with holding false teachers accountable or not. The conversation with level-heads and their Bibles open are extremely valuable!
So, with that intro said... I do need to make another point. This should
speak to all of our hearts.
Why do Christians so like ____? (fill
in the blank). It's because they look to that leader/teacher for direction, but
especially because he looks good and gives them the supposed approval to do the
same sins they like. *That* is the problem with the pagan 501c3s today. They
are corporations who first serve money, earth's trinkets and sin-pleasures -
not God. Their favorite "preacher" also watches TV (trash vendor) and
cheers for the rigged footbaal games and other "professional" sports
that are in direct violation of God's Word in 1st John 2:15-17 and James 4:1-4
- just to name 2.
Because if so-and-so can do those things, be successful
with the world and seemingly get away with it.. you know - maybe they can too. Right?
Wrong. Remember this passage?
"7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a
man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to
his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will
of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose
heart." (Galatians 6:7-9)
God cannot be mocked. He won't be mocked. Whatever you
and I sow, that will we reap - either to our sin-filled and self-driven
desires, or to sacrifice and serve for Christ's sake - they are opposites. The
world and pagan false converts love the one and hate the other... but, that's
what Jesus said too:
"24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and
love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)
Curious, does it bother you that your favorite
world-famous "teacher" works with Vatican-agents, evolutionists, muslims, etc? It should. They can't be in the world's
systems and approved by the worlds "accreditation" industries, and
raking in money - without being just like the world, having made a covenant
with the world that trumps whatever trivial covenant they started to make with
Christ.
Remember, this is the message of Christ that you won't
hear fully or accurately taught by them, because they aren't living it:
"34
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them,
'Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what
will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or
what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For
whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation,
of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His
Father with the holy angels.'" (Mark 8:34-38)
So, if you go back and read this and put in the name of
your favorite world-popular teacher ("liberal" or
"conservative"), you will find that whether it's John MacArthur,
Erwin Lutzer, RC Sproul, or Joel Hunter, Rick Warren, and Joel Osteen - both
are doing the *exact* same thing, while pretending to you and me that they
aren't.
Please don't be as the pagan children of Israel in the
wilderness, or even in this passage:
"The
prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by
their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the
end?" (Jeremiah 5:21)
Or this one:
"In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6, 21:25)
Or this one:
"But
why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things
which I say?" (Luke 6:46)
Or this one:
"21
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have
we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many
wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you;
depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’"
(Matthew 7:21-23)
Please don't hold onto your favorite teacher or priest or
rabbi while chasing your favorite sins and walking away from Christ. ~ Hold to
Christ first - and let the apostate teachers land
where they may. You hold to Christ, and take God's Word 100% and double-check
all people (even me), especially those who claim to be Bible teachers.
~ Watching, Preaching, Praying, your growing bro, SH
