The Modern Day Judas
Would you believe that in today's society many so called men and women of God consider that it is all right to not divulge their true colours until a definite contact has been made with a possible convert. They seem to be able to justify their lying, and that it is all done in "the name of God". Surely this sort of behaviour would only lead to being deceitful.? Are we not all endeavouring, as Christians, to grow more like the Lord Jesus Christ.? In Him we see no deceit, whatsoever.!!! One wonders how it is possible to use such deceptive practices and still claim to be Christian.?
The Bible tells us that in the end times there will be many in the Lord's House that shouldn't be there. The wheat and the tares, or, the Sheep and the Goats. Matt 13:38-40 Readings from Scripture reveal that even one of the Lord's closest disciples, Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve who had stood nearby Him, John 18:5 in the end turned on Him and betrayed Him. Imagine how Jesus must have felt.? He had shared with the disciples and had got to know them on an intimate level only to be "stabbed in the back" by whom He considered were his friends. Jesus must have felt "used" by His close friend. Betrayed would be a more appropriate word to use.
With so many different "Jesus's" around thesedays how can we be sure that we are fellowshipping with others of like mind.? Is it possible that millions of sincere Saints of God are being betrayed and deceived by the Modern Day Judas.? Matt 13:30 How can we discern between the Sheep and the Wolves.? Some of you may well say "Ah !!! That is not up to me, the Lord Himself will divide the Sheep from the Goats, according to Matthew Chapter 25." Amen, to that.!!! We, at Half Gospel Ministries, don't wish to take the place of the Lord. We do, however, wish to draw your attention to Scriptures that warn us of things to come and ask us to be discernful, using wisdom, and to "test the Spirits, to see if they are of God."
Wouldn't you like to know that the people you are on Pilgrimage with, are at least worshipping the same God. Nobody likes being used. Yet some seem to be able to overlook this fact, so that they can win others to their Camp. Matt 7:15 Surely this would be classed as being deceitful.? Matt 7:21-23 We should therefore use the gift of discernment. When was the last time you asked someone to define what they mean when they talk of God.? God is many things, to many people. Most folks will say that it does not matter which religion you choose as they all lead to God. This sort of statement sounds very all encompassing, though upon a closer look at the various religions that are around, we see that they all differ, on "Who God is.?", on "Mankind's Problem", and "How to get to God.?". How can they all lead to God if they all vary so widely.?
From Buddhists, to Bahai's, God is on their lips. Sects and Cults talk of God. Even within the Lord's House, amongst Christians, we should be defining what we mean. Many call themselves Christian, look Christian, even sound Christian, yet they don't follow Christ, preferring to follow the dictates of some denomination or organisation. (Wolves in Sheep's Clothing).
Knowing about God, and knowing him personally, are two totally different things. The true blue Christian worships a Fact. Not a myth, or a fable, or an assumption that is "out-there-somewhere". When we humble ourselves and ask Christ into our life, to dwell in our hearts, we are given his spirit at that precise moment. 2 Corinth 13:5 The reason why we are given the spirit of Christ (Holy Spirit) is quite plain, reading from John 16:13-14, we see that the Holy Spirit will not speak of himself, he is given to glorify Christ. Scripture tells us that "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father, and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father.?" John 14:8-9 John 10:30 Isaiah 9:6 1 Corinth 3:11 2 Corinth 3:17
So is
Christ enough of a revelation to mankind, or do we need more.?
According to Scripture Colossians 2:10 it seems that He is
more than sufficient. "Ye are complete in
Him".........."in Him dwells ALL the fulness of
the Godhead." Colossians 2:9 Not just bits of the
Godhead, but all of it. Claiming that we need more revelation is
dishonouring to Christ, we may as well spit in his face, and say
He is not enough.
Gal 1:6-9
Mark
4:14-15 1 Corinth
1:118-19
Our walk with God has got nothing to do with being "religious" as we can become religious about going to the shops every Friday. It has to do with the inner man, which is no longer striving to achieve things. Psalm 46:10 We have been redeemed. Our soul is at rest.
Christianity is a dying to "self", to say that we have to earn our salvation only serves to pump up our ego, making it impossible to die to self. Gal 3:1-3 "We are saved by Grace, not works." Eph 2:8-9 A Saviour that doesn't save us totally, is really no Saviour worth having. Since the very beginning of time Satan has been trying to Strip Christ of his Deity, as he wants it for himself. (Pride) If he is able to do that, through man's pride, then he will have managed to acheive something. There is no such thing as a first, or second class Christian. No-one is more superior, or less superior. We are all one in Christ. If, of course, you beleive in Christ's Deity without any further revelation.?
So how do we know who we are fellowshipping with.? I guess one way would be to get involved in a discussion on doctrinal stances. This would be very time consuming and most Christians aren't well versed in the differing doctrinal stances of others to be able to pick up on any deception. The best way to find out, and the quickest, is to ask the individual concerned "Who Jesus Christ is.?" The individuals answer to that question will depend on which Jesus they are following.
Most Christians will be able to say to you that he was the "Son of God", and that "Jesus is Lord". This answer would be sufficient for some, but did you know that most sects and cults can state this as well, although they worship a different Jesus, one who has been stripped of all that He is, by relegating Him to a secondary position, making Him a different Lord. Check out how to test the Spirits. So that particular answer doesn't really weed out the Wolves from the Sheep. We have to go straight to the heart of the matter, Christ's Deity. If you beleive in Christ's Deity then you should have no problem with confessing verbally that "Jesus is Jehovah God, Elohim and Yahweh." Along with all other names of Deity, thereby making Him LORD of lords. The true blue Christian worships a Fact, an historical Fact. Not a myth, or a fable.
There is only one way to find out who you are standing alongside. Ask your friends, even your Pastor, what they think of Christ.!! Don't be afraid, though be prepared for some adverse reactions. Remember, we are in a War for the souls of men and women. Arise, Soldiers of Christ. Arise.!! and awaken oh Sleeping one. Were you not told of the battle that was ahead of you when you gave your life to Christ.? If not, you should have been. You are now a soldier in an army, and as such should be able to use your weapons. Let us brush aside our doctrinal differences and defend the King, rather than defend our own doctrines. There is unity in the Deity of Christ, no matter what denomination we are.
In today's swift moving, seminar promoting, outreach advertising, crusade-hungry church, are we using discernment and wisdom.? How do we know that the prominent speaker from overseas, author of three Christians books, a monthly periodical, and pastor of a large congregation, is talking about the same Jesus as the one that you are following.? The short answer to that question is, that we don't. Unless we are fortunate enough to corner the speaker at the end of the evening and ask them, "Who Jesus Christ is?", for them.
Making things look and sound Christian may fool most people. Oh! Yes, Jesus is talked about during the sermons, they may even mention His name a few times, but, how often do you hear about His Deity.? It has become a thing of the past when it should be the Crux of our faith. Are we, as God's people, settling for cannon-fodder.? Anything short of Christ's Deity being preached is surely an injustice.!!??
Millions around the world have found freedom in The Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us that "The truth will set you free." If you aren't sure whether or not you are caught up in a cult, or sect, then see how free you really are.? Try and leave your organisation to go elsewhere, or even disagree with their teachings, then you will find out if you are being controlled and muzzled by the abusive use of God's Word. If you are following the Real Jesus then you won't have lost your salvation. Such is the mercy of God. God doesn't try to control us, so why should man.? God gives us choices in which to use our free will, and a brain, to discern between Truth and Error. Has the Real Jesus set you free.?
We, at Half Gospel Ministries, pray that sects and cults will come to know the real Jesus. To be able to see others shine and have a joy and peace that only comes from knowing your Creator, is our heartfelt desire. If we have been able to strengthen those Saints that were unaware of the devices of the Enemy then we have helped make a dent in the kingdom of darkness and are happy and delight in the Lord.
If you feel that you don't particularly wish to confront people, then let this tract do it for you. Keep a few copies handy and distribute them around. People's reaction to the tract should tell you all you need to know.!!!
We urge you to "Test the Spirits."
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