False Faith… “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:21-23
Furthermore, a person is not a believer if in one breath they claim to be a Christian, but in the next breath they deny the historical fact of His resurrection. They offer a confusing blend of belief that in the end is a rejection of the long held truths of the Church. A false faith claims Christ was a good teacher, but not a miracle worker. They deny His deity.
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost” (1 Corinthians 15:17-18).
In the last days there will be those who use religion for their own ends. So beware, and not waste your time with counterfeit Christ followers. Their insincere efforts will only ensnare your time and money. Unfortunately, phony disciples easily dupe the weak in faith, and when they finally wake up dazed and disillusioned, they walk away from God. So, be wary of those who peddle prayer for their personal gain. Invest in the authentic.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5, NKJV)!
Above all, secure your salvation with genuine faith in Jesus Christ, and then use your authentic influence to indoctrinate God’s people in His ordinances found in Bible. Disciple new Christians, so they are not blown away by every new attractive but bogus belief. Followers of Jesus — grounded in the truth — are able to flee from a false faith.
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
Is my faith in Jesus Christ personal and genuine? Who can I help grow in their faith?
Related Readings: Jeremiah 14:14; 23:16; Matthew 24:24; 2 Peter 2:1
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading? How will I respond?
