For the most part, today’s preachers are hirelings who will not defend the congregation against the lies of Satan. In part, because they do not understand the truth, and neither do they want to jeopardize their high salary and all the benefits that go with it.
They let the people believe that division in denominations and doctrines is acceptable with God, just so it’s done “in the name of Jesus.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Here is truth. Listen to the gospel. “That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:6) This speaks to all people everywhere who call themselves Christians.
A deceived spirit in a man that claims to be the spirit of Christ is a false Christ. It’s not the outward appearance but what comes from within. Many are deceived and follow such leaders, never knowing the difference. These are the many to whom Jesus said, “I never knew you.” He never knew them because they followed a false Christ.
The only way to follow Jesus is to follow “the word.” We just read that the followers of Christ should be of one mind and speak with one mouth, and that there should be no divisions among them. If you believe that division is alright, then you don’t believe “the word.” And if you don’t believe “the word,” you don’t believe in Jesus no matter how often you pay lip service, calling him Lord. The only way you will ever be obedient to the Lord is to obey the word.
Most people today who attend church choose one of the many denominations that they are comfortable with. Usually, it’s the one their parents attended. Or in some cases, they happen to like the pastor and his message. But to do this they must choose one message or doctrine above another, because there are many different ones. Seldom does it occur to them that Jesus preached only one message for all the world. His gospel never taught division, but just the opposite. Self-appointed preachers have split and scattered the people with mixed doctrines and confused interpretations, which fulfills the words of the prophet Jeremiah. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means;” (their own rules) “and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:31)
Why do people not know the difference? How can they not know when they sit under the teaching of a false prophet? Consider these things. How much time do you spend studying God’s written word? As the apostle Paul said, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) How much time do you spend in prayer? Not just asking for material possessions or a better position in life, but earnestly searching for those things that are eternal.
Jesus said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) For “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matthew 7:7)
Ask for what? Ask for a clean spirit and guidance into all truth. Seek what? Seek the Lord and his word, because he is “the way, the truth, and the life.” What shall be opened when you knock? The door of understanding, which is light.
If you bought a piece of land with a guarantee that it had a hidden treasure buried on it, you wouldn’t stop looking until you found it. Yet, in God’s written word you are promised a treasure beyond compare that will never pass away. It’s written in a mystery in the pages of your Bible. But if you don’t search for it, it’s certain that you won’t find it.
One who diligently seeks the truth of God’s word must do so from a pure heart. This means that such an one must be willing to lay aside religious opinions and doctrines and divided interpretations and listen only to that which is written by the prophets and the apostles, always keeping in mind that Jesus Christ is the focal point of all their words.
Most church-going people started on the milk of the word many years ago and have never grown beyond their need for the easy-to-digest doctrines and beliefs of their childhood. The strong meat of the word is for those who are of full age and are weaned from the milk. “Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.” (Isaiah 28:9) “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:12)
A baby needs milk but as it grows in size and strength, it needs more substantial food. If the baby receives nothing but milk, it will eventually become weak and sick. As newborn babes in Christ, we need the milk of the word so that we can grow. Listen to the apostle Peter, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” (1 Peter 2:2) But remember, there comes a time that we should be weaned and graduate to solid food.
