The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 11:13-16,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
Paul spoke these words about those who were preaching "a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached", brought "a different spirit from the one you received" and came with "a different gospel from the one you accepted".
Paul spoke these words about those who were preaching "a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached", brought "a different spirit from the one you received" and came with "a different gospel from the one you accepted".
It is not difficult to see, and you don't have to look far, to know that those who do these things are here among us and very active these days. Just turn on the television, the radio or visit a church just around the block from you and there they are. Denying the deity of Jesus Christ or performing fake miracles or dispensing what they think passes for the Holy Spirit (whatever it is, there is nothing "holy" about it) or denying the gospel message of salvation by faith or simply inventing strange and foreign doctrines and theologies through a twisting of the Scriptures.
These folks were around in Paul's day and, as nothing has changed, they are around today with millions following them. The following they garner provides an appearance of acceptability, they engage in all kinds of "good works", feeding the children, helping in disasters and all, but make no mistake about it, "Their end will be what their actions deserve." It is all, very simply, evil. They have perverted the gospel of Jesus Christ.
This is what strikes my heart this morning. The writer of Hebrews tells us that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Hebrews 10:31. Where these folks have brought in multitudes of followers, have filled their ministry's bank accounts, have taken their message across the nation and to other countries, they will nevertheless face the wrath of God Almighty.
This is what strikes my heart this morning. The writer of Hebrews tells us that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Hebrews 10:31. Where these folks have brought in multitudes of followers, have filled their ministry's bank accounts, have taken their message across the nation and to other countries, they will nevertheless face the wrath of God Almighty.
God has chosen to allow these people to pursue their activities in this life, just as he did in Paul's day, but their judgment is coming. How frightful is that? Far be it from any of us to find ourselves on the business end of God's wrath. Although these folks appear to be doing "the Lord's work" they will be facing the wrath of his anger and receiving what their actions deserve.
Whatever happened to the concept of the fear of the Lord? As I watch these folks and think of what is coming their way, the dominant thought that comes to my mind is, don't they realize what they are bringing on themselves? Fame and fortune may be theirs in this life, but how short sided that is!
Whatever happened to the concept of the fear of the Lord? As I watch these folks and think of what is coming their way, the dominant thought that comes to my mind is, don't they realize what they are bringing on themselves? Fame and fortune may be theirs in this life, but how short sided that is!
An eternity is awaiting us all. Paradise or a fiery lake of burning sulfur…
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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