7 Traits of False Teachers -Part 4 Authentic or Counterfeit? How would you recognize counterfeit Christianity? In 2 Peter 1 we read about genuine believers. And in 2 Peter 2 we read about counterfeit believers. If you put these chapters side by side you will see the difference between authentic and counterfeit believers. 6. Different Fruit—What result does the message have in peoples lives? The true believer is effective and productive in his or her knowledge of Jesus Christ (1:8). The counterfeit is like a spring without water (2:17). This is an extraordinary picture! They promise much but produce little. 7. Different End—Where does the message ultimately lead you? Here we find the most disturbing contrast of all. The true believer will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:11). The false believer will experience swift destruction (2:1). Their condemnation has long been hanging over them and their destruction has not been sleeping (2:3). Jesus tells us that there will be many who have been involved in ministry in his name, to whom he will say, Depart from me; I never knew you (Matthew 7:21). Who are these people? Surely Peter is describing them in this passage. Dont Be Naïve We must not be ignorant: There will be false teachers among you (2:1). So how do we apply this warning? First, Peters plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come to through the doors of the church each year, some would do more harm than good. They may seem the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or the exclusivity of salvation in Christ. We welcome such people, because they need Christ as much as we do, but we must not allow them to have influence in the church. Second, skeptics will always be able to point to hypocrisy and inconsistency in the church. Theyve always done it, and they always will. One of the strangest reasons for not following Christ goes like this: Ive seen people in the church who are hypocrites. So you will not follow Christ because some people who claim to do so are hypocrites? The existence of the counterfeit is never a good reason for rejecting the genuine. Peter essentially tells us, Of course there are counterfeit Christians. Of course there are teachers who do the church more harm than good. What else would you expect in this fallen world? Grow up! Dont be naïve! Dont miss whats real simply because you have seen the counterfeit. Never allow miracles and healing to blindfold you from the truth,never allow camera flash miracles tempted you to fall into their traps, they are not interested to lead a single soul to heaven but to hell. The fruits of a leader can also be seen in his/her followers. False leaders give birth to charlatans,vagabons,double faced people,uncooked babies with sharp teethe ready to bite anyones . Their level of pride and arrogance cannot be tamed by any word of advice . Test the spirit,ask questions both spiritual and foundational building. Walk with the wise and be wise not with the corrupted agents of darkness. Love and Peace JSM
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:43:00 +0000
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