Take a Closer Look

"Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment." -John 7:24.

A couple of days ago, in the course of my normal internet viewing, I came across a video that aroused my curiosity enough to watch it; Homeless Boy Steals Talent Show. Now, I realize that this wasn't directly a spiritual topic, but it did remind me of one. Really, it is similar to that age-old adage, "You can't judge a book by its cover."

The Bible has gone to great lengths to warn us to beware of spiritual deception, yet it seems that most of today's professing church takes these warnings with a grain of salt. Some think that the devil can have no influence over them. Some think that they will readily identify any possible deceptions employed by Satan. Some regard these warnings as true, yet it never seems to apply to their own lives, their church, or anyone that they know. And almost no one takes the Bible seriously on every issue, or considers it irrelevant to our modern day world. These blind assumptions play directly in the devil's hands; he's got you!

So many times I have seen it, and it is so disheartening; lives that started out dynamically, and "on fire" for Jesus Christ have submitted themselves to man-made religious institutions, wrongly assuming them to be truly Christian. The end result is the destruction of faith (Hebrews 11:6), yet it leaves them with a "form of godliness" which has denied the power (II Tim. 3:1-5). It is a way which seems right to a man, but in fact, it leads to spiritual death (Prov. 14:12).

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far fro me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." -Matt. 15:8,9.

A long-time pastor announces to his congregation that he is homosexual (Believe me when I say, that very many church congregations wouldn't be offended by this!). How does this happen? Members become disillusioned, having thought that their pastor was a God-fearing man. This I can guarantee, however; if the church membership had been employing the gift of discernment (I Cor. 12:10), and had been "trying the spirits" (I John 4:1), they would have seen through the false-front he was presenting as a "minister of righteousness." -II Cor. 11:13-15. It is never just in one, single area.

How do leaders such as Harold Camping get away with false prophecies of the Lord's return (Matt. 24:36)? He did it twice in 2011, and should definitely be put away from the ministry! Yes, he has since supposedly repented; but how can he be believed? He has made these false predictions before, but the Bible shows us that he never should have.

In spite of the many examples that I could list, it seems today that christians never look any deeper, once a person has made a verbal claim to "know Christ." What is needed here is scrutiny from the Word of God. Hosea 4:6 tells us that God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Let's not be afraid to put our values and beliefs to the test, even if that makes us unpopular.

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved, But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." -John 3:20,21.

Jesus talks about this sort of thing in Matthew 7. He declares that not every one who has called Him "Lord", shall enter the kingdom of heaven. Some will have used His name, and even done miracles in His name; but the Lord will declare that they never knew Him (v.21-23). He then shows that it is they that build their spirtual houses upon the "rock" of His Word, and do them, that shall be saved (v.24-27).

Don't misunderstand the Bible's teachings on judging others. If we cannot do that, we will fall. Matt. 7:16-20 plainly tells us that we will KNOW them by their fruits. And remember the focus on the tree, as well. Some may do apparently good works, but this doesn't mean God is behind them! In the garden of Eden, the fruit of the forbidden tree looked very alluring. Yet God had warned them of the tree, therefore they knew that this seemingly delicious fruit would bring about death.

Years ago, after I had backslidden and then returned to the Lord, I began to notice a problem with Billy Graham. Thankfully, today many more are noticing (He openly embraces many differing faiths as one, for an example).

At the time, however, I was noticing one glaring inconsistency in particular; that is, that he was loved and welcomed anywhere he went in the world! Jesus told us that, "A servant is not above his Lord" in Matthew 10:25, and also similarly in John 15:18-20. WHY should Billy Graham be loved, but Jesus Christ hated? At such a point, I either need to believe that the Bible is true, or that somehow its teachings don't encompass Billy Graham. Now, many years after those initial impressions, more supporting truth is coming to the forefront.

It is normal for a true follower of Christ to seek the fellowship of the brethren, and to learn all that they can for help in their spiritual walk. Thus, most will find a church. But no matter what you choose to do in this regard, always put Jesus 1st, seeking the direction of God's Word, and the Holy Spirit (II Tim. 3:16,17; I John 2:27). Don't continually elevate "learned" church leaders to an unholy level of respect. Instead, put them to the test. If they are continually altering God's Word to suit their lives, they do not belong to Christ!
Today's organized church structure is a work of the flesh, not the Holy Spirit. Seek the Lord at His Word; stand up for the truth; PRAY for revival. Simply put Jesus Christ first in every aspect of your life, and take your direction from Him alone. Let Him truly be the Lord of your life that you profess Him to be (Luke 6:46). If you can, take time to read the prophecy, Crumbs for Christ, which strongly relates.

Almost any professing believer I talk to has heard of George Mueller, who is best known for his faith in working with orphans back in the 1800s. But I have never met anyone of our time that really understands how the Lord led George Mueller with regard to the organized church. He was indeed a church pastor, but took directions from no denominational organization. I leave off this article with his words on the subject, for your consideration;

"I had other objections to being connected to any church or national religious establishment which arose from the increased light which I had obtained through the reception of this truth, that the word of God is our only standard, and the Holy Spirit our only teacher. For as I now began to compare what I knew of the establishment, with this only true standard, the word of God, I found that all establishments, even because they are establishments, i.e., the world and the church mixed up together, not only contain in them the principles which necessarily must lead to departure from the word of God; but also, as long as they remain establishments, entirely preclude the acting throughout according to the Holy Scriptures."