In this article I would really hope to come across as someone who can speak with authority in being with the Lord Jesus Christ as a disciple.
Matthew 24:5 – For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Or more directly; what this verse is actually saying is – many will come in my name saying “I am anointed” (the anointed one) Christ, Jesus. And many will be deceived.
So how does one tell who is of the Lord, and who is not? 1 John 4 tells us how… 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. In short only by the Holy Spirit proclaiming Christ has come in their flesh, do we tell.
The sad fact is that most who claimed to be an “anointed one” actually are not, and have never been! “Systematic theology” has indeed replaced knowing and walking with Christ, even in those who have started with Him, and it is the Lord God who gives people over to strong delusions, who’s hearts are not actually with Him, in Spirit and in truth. Jesus called this the broad road which leads away from the Lord towards death (spiritually) if repentance of heart is not obtained.
Of course it is the Lord who ultimately decides which of the elect have remained in Christ, and who is not. Disciples (Elders) are instructed to be able to identify just who is “in the vine” and who is moving away from it. Then comes reproof and correction of these brethren (for their life’s sake) and of course, false brethren who are to remain outside the fold. This is the correct form of judging, for the health of the body, the being cut off and burnt part, is only the Lord’s decision.
I did not intend to get into a doctrinal study here, supported by Bible, in an attempt to show myself to be right. It is doctrinal debates which post like this often spark intellectual disagreements, and have little value, as the objective should always be to convey truth.
As a young man who was always instructed to find a “good church” I discovered something else instead!
Although highly educated, and robed in his priestly garb, I discovered that most ministers are more of statesmen then that of a disciple. They compromise the truth of God within the scriptures as to not offend those around them. There was an HIV-AIDS discussion concerning this verse: Romans 1:27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. A women insisted this could not be speaking about HIV-AIDS as a punishment for Homosexuality, as women (at the time) were not plagued with it as men; yet this is precisely what the verse entailed! I was stunned that the minister did not pick up on this scriptural fact, and the Bible study decayed into a “none offensive” worthless discussion about a loving, non-judgmental, ear tickling Jesus.
Within me the Holy Spirit of God was screaming heresy, yet no one else in the room seemed to be concerned, or even seemed to grasp the seriousness of these scriptures! It is about that time in my life, that I started recognizing that the status quo of the world, always seemed to take precedence over the scriptures! This is NOT because I was some type of gifted Biblical scholar, rather it was simply the prodding of the Holy Spirit within me, that I could pick up on subtle diversions away from the TRUTH, who is Jesus Christ within me.
I continued to notice in great contrast, that I was continually bothered by the compromise of the laws of God, even in a secular setting.
Much like Abraham Lincoln, I attended, yet never wanted to become an “official member” of any Church, although very much reformed in my thinking at the time. It was not until I got married that I became a member of struggling, and later, a newly planted church. I was “tested” and had most of the gifting’s of spiritual leadership. I was hopeful that I could finally be of service to my Lord. I later received a Deacons position, although I had very much fulfilled the criteria for Elder as well.
This “Church experience” was short-lived however, as I had been mobilized by the Army a couple of years after 911 to send troops and supplies to Iraq, and received orders under Operation Enduring Freedom.
About a year after returning home, I suffered a massive heart attack while in water survival training with my old Army watercraft unit.
Jesus sided shoulder to shoulder with me on that day, who I could feel, and dimly see pushing up next to me. Later as my heart continued to stop, I looked down upon my ambulance in route to the hospital for airlift, with perfect clarity of mind and vision. I was not expected to survive the night.
I later wrote on a blog about my experience of knowing Jesus Christ on this side of eternity, and it was because I was with Him now, that I was directly with Him in death. A book company picked up this blog, and my testimonial. See: https://goo.gl/BL0OAj .
As often done in this world, my testimonial was twisted in referencing Jesus Christ pressing next to me, the main thrust of my testimonial. It is my opinion, that although lip service is given to the Lord Jesus Christ, heaven and supernatural experiences, in actuality children of the Devil want nothing to do with Him! This is plainly spoken about within scripture.
All my experiences in life have been a reflection of the scriptures, albeit I may not know the chapter or verse. In my humble opinion, Churches reverse the order, of making the Lord God subservient to their knowledge scriptures, doctrines and theology, rather than simply following Him in Spirit and in Truth.
And one needn’t be a Bible scholar to notice this, only a son or daughter of the Living Lord God of Israel.
Lightship Ministries 