Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Living in Christ 543 - 2 - 1

Sunday morning at the Assembly of God Church Pastor Bruce was speaking about a life lived for Christ. As I took a few notes I was reminded of our study of James and this question specifically. Pastor said to get rid of things drawing one towards sin. Don’t compromise. Be set aside. Carnal Christian, an oxymoron. Live according to the spirit. Live in the freedom of a life in Christ.
I agree with Pastor and suspect so would James, that the worldly Christian is an oxymoron. The behavior and attitudes of those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, but still clings to their old ways of living aren’t much different from those of their unbelievers. 1 Corinthians 3:3, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
Is this due to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) gospel creeping into the church rather than the clear message of repentance? Revelation 3:15-16, “15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”.
The sanctuary in the Assembly of God church has three columns of chairs. Pastor was talking about this very verse Sunday night at Fellowship Service. His illustration was at the column of chairs to his right were cold, those to the left of him were hot and those in between he referred to as the lukewarm church.
Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Is this where Jesus has been relegated by many claiming to be Christians, ignoring his voice and the tug at their heart?
Study Compares Christian and Non-Christian Lifestyles
"A new Barna Group survey measured the type of lifestyles Americans live. Results showed they live one of sacrifice and of self-indulgence. And the story is not that much different for born-again Christians."
[https://www.christiantoday.com/article/american.study.reveals.indulgent.lifestyle.christians.no.different/9439.htm]
Several times Jesus said be not deceived. As we are winding down in these the last days, good advice. Luke 21:8, “And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.”
Little gods Heresy
Kaycee Watchman published multiple clips of the Word of Faith preachers preaching that Christians are little gods, Jan 8, 2013.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPoQixUloZk]
James 1:26, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” Little gods? “This man’s religion is vain.”
By grace we are saved and not works, nevertheless, God will judge our fruit. Those who would mislead their followers with a false message will likely be judged harshly. How harshly will God judge those of weak faith thereby easily deceived?

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