Love Plus Truth

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God:  Every  spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.  But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.  This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and  even now  is already in the world."  I John 4:1-3

The  belief that all roads lead to the same God is refuted by this passage of Scripture.  Religions  that acknowledge and exalt Jesus lead  to God,  whereas religions that deny Jesus are simply not from  him.  In our quest for "tolerance" and open-mindedness we have abandoned the idea  that there is a right or wrong answer.  This humanistic mindset seems positive, friendly and welcoming, but it is deadly to those who embrace it.   And unfortunately, humanism has crept into the church world as well.

We do not hold to the teachings of Jesus because we are hateful, intolerant and unloving.  Rather, we hold to them because we believe in the infallible truth of the Word of God.  Consequently, our love for the world for which he died, urges us to proclaim the truth to all, that all might be saved.  Humanism is a powerful enemy of truth and most likely will never be fully squashed, in fact, it paves the road for the Antichrist to arise in the end times.  But we can combat this type of teaching by declaring the truth of the Bible, while simultaneously displaying the love of Christ.  The world portrays Christians as hateful.  Unfortunately, some overzealous people have depicted us in that way by bombing abortion clinics,  holding signs declaring contempt for different types of people, or by using hate-filled speech.  This is not the way of Jesus!  He always loves the sinner, while hating the sin.  We must pair kindness and love with the rebuke that truth brings.  Let us strive to walk in humility and love toward all men.

Dear Lord, help me to avoid any of the antichrist teachings.   Enable me to aptly represent you in this world.  Grant us a harvest of souls.  In  Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri