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A friend of mine gave me a CD a few weeks ago and asked me to listen to it. It contained a message from a preacher and she said that there were some things in it that just didn't sound right and she wanted me to listen to it. I only got about 5 minutes into the message when the word "Restoration" started to come up. Now anytime I hear that word my ears prick up and I listen very carefully. Why? Because that is a favorite word of the false teachers. They all want to pass along some nugget of truth that is going to "restore" some blessing that you've either lost or never knew you had.Go search the New Testament for that word. You'll see if a few times regarding things such as restoring a brother who has sinned, a withered hand restored, sight being restored or Zaccheus restoring what he had stolen. But you never see it mentioned - at all - with regard to the restoration of spiritual blessings. There is a reason for that - there is nothing to restore.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ - Ephesians 1:3
Christ is sufficient! In Him we are blessed with EVERY spiritual blessing. We have everything we need and lack nothing.
"... in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Colossians 2:3
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." - Colossians 2:9
"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." - 2 Corinthians 9:8
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" - 1 Corinthians 1:30
Restoration? Not for me. I'm complete in Him. I have all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, all joy, all peace, all value, all meaning, all truth, all purpose, all hope, all fulfillment - all in Christ.
Good post, Derricke! Keep bringing these things to our attention, for false teaching ABOUNDS.
ReplyDeleteWhy oh why don't we learn how to read and study the Bible? Why are we so gullible to accept what the next big spiritual movement is (sensationalism) or what we have been told over the years (traditional teaching passed down with not much, if any, Biblical basis)? God, help us.
ReplyDeleteIt is time to take the time.
What causes me to not realize that something is wrong with this message such as your friend? Am I not being sensitive to the Holy Spirit who would make me know something is wrong? I do know that I think I accept too much of what preachers say and even people I admire who have been in church a long time. I read the Bible but I don't seem to hear what others hear whether good or bad.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I begin?
I can tell you exactly where to begin because for years I was in that same state. I read my Bible but did not discern what others said as either 'good' or 'bad'. Even though I might not agree with them, I just figured that was something they believed and it really didn't have anything to do with me.
ReplyDeleteWhy? I wasn't practicing discernment. I was like an airplane with my radar turned OFF. What I've learned to do now is turn the radar ON.
But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. - Hebrews 5:14
You have to 'practice' discernment - you have to use your senses - in other words, test the things you see and hear to see if they line up with the Word of God. Because false teachers ALWAYS distort, pervert and corrupt the Word of God.
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. - Romans 16:17-18
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. - 2 Corinthians 2:17
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:2
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. - Galatians 1:6-8
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ. - Ephesians 4:14-15
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. - 2 Timothy 4:2-4
It is not automatic, but once you begin to do this you will find out the the practice of discernment becomes almost 'natural'.
Thank you. I admit I have not practiced. I guess one would describe me as a spoon fed person and it has kept me immature.
ReplyDelete