2008 was a very important year all around the world, primarily due to the housing market crash. But for me, it began what would be the most difficult years of my life. Within that next year or so, I would lose everything...my marriage, my job, my house, car, and even the custody of my kids. With the exception of my health, everything was gone! I hope to talk more about those years in not too distant future, but for now I'll just say that it was a time in which I was placed in the very fire for which this blog is entitled. However, in that process, that the Lord allowed, I might add.....I found Him, ...and more than ever!
I immediately began attending a local "up and coming church" that has now became one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the country. At that time it helped keep me out of the gutter, but I no longer attend there. I have nothing personal against this church or the "mega" churches, I have good friends that still attend there and one of the campus pastors is an old friend of mine. But somewhere along the way during that terrible storm, the Lord began to reveal the truth to me; and the deception, not only in that church but in most of the Western churches.
What I had been living with was a counterfeit Christianity with the counterfeit grace....A grace that says it's okay to sin rather than empowering me to overcome it (Romans 6:14). Actually, it is old testament Christianity with a half gospel. I was experiencing forgiveness for my sin, but not victory and power to overcome sin. I didn't even know that God expected me to stop sinning. I was living as a "Christian", but not as a disciple and follower of Jesus. I was praying, reading my Bible and going to church… but I was also going to bars, lusting women, lying, stealing, constantly getting angry with my kids....and the list goes on. I was living for myself… doing, saying and thinking whatever I pleased....and going where I wanted. I was not surrendered and submitted to the Lord, nor his will....not even close. I thought this was normal Christianity, living defeated....daily tossed by emotions, current events and circumstances. This is not Christianity! This is not why Jesus died. The outer cup was my focus, not the inner as Jesus described in Matthew 23.
These are the things not being taught from our pulpits. Like most, I was just a religious person, not at all interested in living a holy life as Jesus did and commanded me to. One of the main problems in our culture's Christianity and churches today is that people are led to pray a prayer, even be dipped in water and then walk away for the most part, unchanged. Emotional experiences and encounters have taken the place of true repentance and grieving over our wicked and sinful state. They walk away with a false sense of security, believing that they are okay and right with God, when they are not. And it's very deceptive and dangerous. Like Jesus said, we're making "two-fold sons of hell" and what's more is that many, on "that day" are going to say "Lord, Lord...", but the Lord doesn't know them. Many have given themselves to religion, but not met the conditions of true discipleship laid out in Luke 14.
I'm not one who enjoys saying things that sound negative or confrontational, but the truth, I'm finding, always is. We live in a day where there is tremendous deception, and many are preaching and following another Jesus... and another gospel (2 Cor 11; Gal 1). Remember, anyone can pray a little prayer and think they're saved, but to be truly born again is a miraculous work of the Spirit of God....and true repentance will always bear fruit of repentance (Luke 3:8). In John 8:11, Jesus told the woman caught in adultery that he did not condemn her. But, he also told her to stop sinnIng. This has been deleted from today's sermons and messages. Entertainment has replaced the truth.
I would encourage you to do your own research, I believe many false prophets have arisen (Matthew 24:11) and are being sent in to lead the people away from the true gospel and power of God. Countless folks have been and are currently being deceived as many are masquerading as angels of light (2 Cor 11) and their message is a very close look a like....very close! Be on alert brother and sisters! Don't just believe everything you hear or see. Ground yourself in the word of God and don't be dependent upon others to teach you. Do your own research (2 Timothy 2:15) and ask the Lord to show you the truth. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him (Heb11).
I have attached a link to a message by Zac Poonen of cfcindia.com entitled "Reality In The Christian Life". It will better help you in your search for truth and understanding in this area.
http://youtu.be/46_zsHSOAkk
Thank you for stopping by and may the Lord continue to lead you into all truth by the Spirit of Truth! God bless!
