Archive for November, 2016

ROCK SOLID FAITH FOR TROUBLED TIMES – PART 4

Friday, November 4th, 2016
FOLLOW THE LAWGIVER, NOT MAN’S TRADITIONS

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. (Colossians 2:16)

The third warning from the Apostle Paul is even more relevant today with a certain small percentage of Christians returning to the “living under the Law” by becoming part of the Hebrew Roots Movement and other Torah-centric streams of religion, which do not line up with Scripture at all.  Some follow the tenets of the traditions of men and do things which are not prescribed in the Bible.
The traditions of men tells us to fast on certain days and then do not fast here but fast there. Then these tell us not to eat meat on certain days but eat fish on this day only and on. Some measure the length of hair, dresses and ban make up on women or even certain musical instruments.  Are these done to prevent Christians from being themselves or even having “fun” at church? Maybe. What it really could be is the human instinct to be in control, rather than obey the dictates of God while operating freely within His parameters. He HAS given us a huge measure of freedom. He has even given us the freedom to mess up and then make it right.
However when it comes to His work, His Word and His Church, it is preferable that we NOT go extra-biblical or chasing after man-created doctrines of cheap grace. Another thing to look out for is what Paul warned about in Galatians with the Judaizers. These were people who said they were following “The Way” (the name Christians were described before they were called “Christians” for the first time at Antioch).

 

ROCK SOLID FAITH FOR TROUBLED TIMES – PART 3

Friday, November 4th, 2016
BEWARE OF THE FALSE THEOLOGY OF THE DAY
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8)

Most folks alive today have an absolute wrong notion of heaven, hell and how a person gets to either future permanent residence. The ignorance concerning these two critical life matters is astounding.   People will pay more attention to what they wear, eat, drive and watch on TV than the condition of their eternal soul…that is, until they wake up on the wrong side of this life. They do not comprehend that God is serious about His Word, His Truth and just about who He lets into His Heavenly Kingdom.  For over a decade of street and other evangelism and speaking in depth with lost souls, I do not need George Barna or Pew Research to tell me that only about 12-15% of people calling themselves Christians are actually born again, or heaven-bound Christians.

This is such an important paradigm for the people of God that Jesus Himself used His own chosen vessel – the Apostle Paul – to warn all Christians for all time, via his (Paul’s) instructions to the Colossians.  Jesus loves His followers and disciples so much that He sent these warnings, for all time, which we will do well to heed, until He returns!  In part 1 of this short series, we looked at two of the most dangerous cultural fads, which are attracting a certain amount of younger Christians for many reasons. First, who is against stress relief, fitness and good health….while dressing cool and listening to mysterious sounds, so you can sound spiritual? Except that these now acceptable western habits are completely anti-Biblical and their adherents will be held to account for them.

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