Part 1
The Right Life For The Last Days
By Ray Gano (who initially built this website!)September 30, 2007 |
Emphasis added in bold letters below
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For some time now I have had the burden to tell people to get their lives on the strait and narrow. It grieves me that there are so many people out there claiming the title Christian, but have come to their “faith” through a false gospel; which in turn means that they are not saved.
Half truths equals a full lies.
I was sent an encouraging email by prophezine insider Susan commenting on my article Christ or the Canaanites:
Dear Ray,
Your article reminded me of what Paul wrote Timothy in 2 Timothy chapter 3. The battle is heating up, so gird yourself, because Paul said "evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.....and to continue in the things you have learned and have been assured of......." 2 Tim 13-14Here are the complete verses Susan was talking about
"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;" 2 Timothy 3:14 (KJV)Did you catch what 2 Timothy 3:13 said? “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
Folks, the gospel is being watered down. It is the pure Word of God and the pure Gospel that saves. Today we are seeing a complete opposite of that. What is being taught today is that all roads lead to Jesus and that you can find Jesus just about anywhere.
The latest craze is using worldly methods to share the gospel. When one uses a watered down form to share Jesus, one is NOT sharing the Jesus of the Bible. You may be sharing about someone with the same name, the issue is that you are not sharing about the same person, the biblical Jesus.
If one is not sharing the Jesus of the bible, then one is not sharing Jesus Christ. You can not use darkness to share the light.
"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: 11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds." 2 John 1:9-11 (KJV)
Here is a short list of what people try to use, but fail.
You cannot use witchcraft and the love of Harry Potter books to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Yoga and Yoga for kids (pagan religious practices) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Healing and practicing Reiki (wizardry) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Feng Shui (occultic lay lines and earth magic) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Walking the Labyrinth (Celtic paganism) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Contemplative prayer – (Transcendental Meditation - TM) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use Tai Chi and other forms of “Christian” martial arts (eastern mysticism, tapping into the “chi”) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use the return of the Liturgy (vain repetitions) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use the return of candles, icons and incense (items to help focus the will AKA witchcraft) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use the return of the worship of saints, mother Mary and of Angels (other gods, idol worship) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You cannot use pornography (fornication) to share the gospel of Jesus Christ
You cannot use sex and sensuality to share the gospel of Jesus Christ
You cannot use worldly music to share the gospel of Jesus Christ
Folks with the advent of all these false practices and teachings, heresies and apostasies invading the church, one can see why there are so many who are confused today. But more than that, one can see why there are many who are not true Christians.When one only shares half the truth, it is still a full lie.
There are many who are deceiving and being deceived. There is a massive growth of evil men and seducers sharing the false gospel and lies. Interesting fact, many of these people believe their own lies and in themselves are deceived.
But you know what? It isn't going to get any better, in fact we learn that this cancer is going to wax worse and worse in the church today. And here is the real sad issue, if you do not know your bible; you increase your chances of falling for the deception, if you have not done so already.
I gave you a short list, and it truly is a short list of things these evil men and seducers are using today to cause people to think they are doing good, but in the long run, they are turning people’s hearts to false gods.
Note here what 1 Kings 11:2 says….
"Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon cleaved unto these in love." 1 Kings 11:2 (KJV)
Let’s break this down a bit…
“Of the nations concerning which the LORD…. the LORD said unto the children of Israel,”
Here God is talking to Israel and His children. If you have accepted Christ as your savior you are His Child. So this is addressed to you too.
“Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods:”
This seems very clear, we are not to partake of the world, nor are you to have the world come into your life because when you do, you turn your hearts away from the Lord and then walk after the world.
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Psalms 1:1 (KJV)
If you notice in this verse, the “man” spoken of here is taking a progression of sin. First he chooses to become part of the world by walking with the world, then listens to the world and their seductive ways. He then stands with the world, they have his ear and he is actively listening. Then he sits with the world and has become fully entrenched, he is no longer in fellowship with the Lord, even when he may think he is, he has chosen the world.
The progression of the man we read about in Psalms 1:1 is very smooth and slick. It can also be very quick in trapping the man in the ways of the world.
Reminder: "...evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13 (KJV)
Folks, we are living in the last days. There are some disturbing verses that point out a very critical issue. Not many who claim the title are going to heaven in these last days.
"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14 (KJV)
"Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:20-23 (KJV)
There are many who make claims using the world’s standards to defend themselves. Maybe you have heard some the following excuses; maybe you have even made some of these excuses yourself.
“Look how many people there are, this must be good”
“He is a top author, so his teaching must be right”
“His business says “Christian” on it, so it must be good”
“She has John 3:16 painted on her studio wall, it must be good”
”It is just exercise or it is just a __________, I am not worshipping their god(s)”
But one that is the most dangerous because when used, it shuts people up, is
“I am telling others about Christ, or I share the Gospel”
The biggest deception…
"I have led others to Christ through _______________ (fill in the blank).”
These excuses beg the question “What Gospel are you selling them and what Jesus are you promoting?” If it is not the Scriptures then it is false; period! If you are using the world to share the gospel then you are sharing a diluted down false gospel.
Half Truths Equal Full Lies!
Either you believe fully in the Scriptures or you believe man. There is only one standard and that is the solid Word of God.
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
"That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:17 (KJV)
If you do not stand fully on God’s word, you are not “thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” If you are not “thoroughly furnished unto all good works”, then you are not sharing the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.
When one only shares half the truth, it is still a full lie.
Folks, there is no middle ground, grey area or fudge room when the Word of God clearly commands us to abstain from even the appearance of evil; to not practice the ways of the pagans, to stay away from evil associations. God is very clear about the consequences, yet multitudes are following evil men deceiving and being deceived.
Please take the time and read what God’s word says"
"....love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17
"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." 1 Corinthians 10:21 (KJV)
"...abstain from all appearance of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2 (KJV)"...ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with god? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4 (KJV)
"My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:" Proverbs 1:15 (KJV)
"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men." Proverbs 4:14 (KJV)
"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." John 15:19 (KJV)
In conclusion, I leave you with this final warning from God’s Word:
"...to the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20 (KJV)
Who Do You Serve?
Jesus stated the following…
John 14:6 (KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If you do not have Christ in your life, you will spend eternity in hell. This is a fact. It does not matter if you believe this or not, it is the truth spoken by Jesus himself. If your name is not written in the Lambs Book of Life you will go to hell for what you have not done and that is accepting Christ as your personal savior. To be placed in the Lamb Book of Life, you need to turn your life completely over to Him. Having “head” knowledge or “just believing in Christ” is not the same as having “heart” knowledge with Christ living in your heart. We know that even the devils believe in Him, where are they spending eternity?
James 2:19 (KJV) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
We work hard at Prophezine to show that Bible Prophecy is coming to pass. Because of this fact, the Bible is true. Since the Bible is the true and inerrant word of God, there is a heaven and there is a hell.
If you claim the title of “Christian” then take account of yourself this day. Many claim the title, but we read in God’s Word that the title does not get you into heaven.
Matthew 7:21(KJV) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22(KJV) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23(KJV) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Who you serve will determine where you will spend eternity. If you are not serving Christ and a true child of God, then you are serving Satan and a child of the enemy.
If you are not 110% sure, then take account of yourself, your very life depends upon it.
1John 1:9 (KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
About the Author:
Ray & Tracye Gano are the Executive Directors of Prophezine. Prophezine deals with Bible Prophecy and World Events from a Pre-trib, pre-millennial, dispensationalist stand point. They currently serve close to 70,000+ (and growing) people world wide with a weekly newsletters, daily news updates, community based website and Internet radio shows. Ray recently released his latest project “Escape The End Time Money Snare – The CD a multimedia CD co-authored with Wilfred Hahn focusing on how to escape the trappings of mammon and learning how to live simply in God’s abundance.
Please visit Prophezine by going to http://www.prophezine.com
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