Do you often wonder how people who were once well meaning Christians go off the deep end? Do you scratch your head in amazement as to why some people follow them even when they are clearly gotten off the beaten path. Today I am going to share with you why I think people stray from their faith, and never seem to get on track.
Well, the number one reason is...(drum roll please) they refuse to die to self. No matter what, it is all about them. They want to be seen, and heard no matter what the cost. They will refuse to take a stand on truth, and squirm their way around confrontation. They want to be popular, and be the life of the party. They want people to look up to them for the purpose of being popular and keeping the money rolling into their church. The truth is they stopped caring about truth a long time ago, and their biggest fear is not being liked. They will offend no one except Christ because they refuse to confess Him before men. They water down the gospel to make sure you don't leave the church, and plan of bunch of fun activities to keep you happy. When you are struggling they weigh you down with a bunch of platitudes; avoiding any kind of intimacy or getting in the trenches with you. When the fun runs out, and you start having real problems they can't provide any answers because their job description is...activity director.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was. (2 Timothy 2:1-9).
As you can see one of the marks of the last days is that people (verse 5) would have an outward form of holiness but their life would be a contradiction of the dunamis or miracle working (power) of God. Paul give us some clues to look for: The first clue is that in the last days people will become lovers of themselves! He warned that they would become narcissists who want to be loved by everyone, and be joined in their apparent love of themselves. Just like the Pharisees they would do everything to be seen of others for the benefit of themselves and furthering of their ministry. They want to be seated in the front, wear the fancy suits, have people cater to them, and acknowledge their title. They like to be admired, and surrounded by people who will do anything they say without question. They will castigate anyone who contradicts them or questions their behavior. They will use scripture to manipulate through guilt, and use their authority to demean dissenters.
You can't correct them because they are stubborn (headstrong) and won't think twice of stabbing someone in the back while smiling in their face. They seem pious until they are behind closed doors slandering others in the ministry. These people creep into your household through TV, radio, church gatherings and take advantage of gullible Christians being deceived by the lusts in their own hearts. The bible compares these last days Christians to Jannes and Jambres who were the Egyptian wizards who resisted Moses in pharaoh's court. They displayed power but it was swallowed by the true anointing, and leadership of God. The bible says that they have become resistant to truth, and unable to fully grasp it no matter how much they read scriptures. Their minds are corrupted and warped because they continually ignore their conscience; making shipwreck of their faith.
(1Timothy 1:9).
In any case people continue to follow them because they want the sense of security, and "good feelings" they get from these types of preachers. Little do they know their walk with God has become shallow, and they are unable to do little else but participate in a myriad of activities that keep them temporarily occupied. When they go home their spirit continues to be empty, and they find themselves dependent on their leaders to stay motivated and focused on God. They find themselves bored unless they are having some type of fun with their friends. After all, they believe that Jesus came so we could have fun all the time!
They also believe that Jesus came so we would live in eternal bliss, and not have to worry about the real problems in life. If they could be drunk in the spirit, and continually celebrate God's goodness without a thought to the souls that perish that would be fine by them. Their main goal is to get raptured so they can escape any suffering or conflict. They have embraced the gospel of non-responsibility, and believe that they should go to church to be entertained. These believers want God on their terms, and in their way. They don't want to separate themselves from the world. They love the world so much that they incorporate the world into their church services or they disguise their party lifestyle declaring they have found a new form of spirituality, and freedom.
Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.(1 Corinthians 10:6-12).
Let's look at another way that preachers become popular. They set up whole doctrines to convince people that the more they give the richer they'll get. Everybody wants to be rich! Though many of us call it the faith movement. It really has nothing to do with faith at times. Faith is great, until you abuse it for the express reason of indulging yourself with life's finest things at the expense of others. God does not mind the prosperity of the saints but we have incorrectly taught people that God is some kind of slot machine. The more money we put in, the more chances we have of hitting the jackpot. Unfortunately, because of the selfish motivation behind the "faith movement" it became more like a Christian MLM which stands for MORE LORD MORE! Don't get me wrong giving is Christ like when it is done out of the motivation of love. We were meant to give to one another, and share what God had blessed us with.
Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. Acts 2:44-45
Another popularity trend is the business of building people's self esteem outside of the work of the cross. The internet is filled with motivational speeches, self esteem boost conferences, and preachers who tell you that you have the freedom to do anything you want under the guise of grace. Once again the message emphasis the rights and freedom of the believer instead of the focus of the cross. Just like most of America, freedom trumps over offending others. Believers are being taught that they are not under the law therefore, have excused themselves from being accountable for their actions. They also have rejected all spiritual authority including the authority of God's Word.
Some have gone as far as labeling their worldly endeavors as "Christian" so they can worship at two altars. In the meantime, the world is in desperate need of a savior but they are too busy at the foot of the mountain dancing, singing, adorning the calf of sin, and fornicating with the world. They are too caught up being lovers of pleasures instead of lovers of God. While Moses is climbing the heights of the mountain for an encounter with God, some stay behind with Aaron to entertain themselves, and worship the things they had in Egypt. The bible warns us in this way:
Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).
We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did—and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!
We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents;
Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period). (1 Corinthians 10:7-11)
Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
If you find yourself tired with the status quo, and really want to get back to the true gospel it goes something like this:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24
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Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com
Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living
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