Red Letter Truth

Red Letter Truth

We are warned in scripture about these ‘end-times’. Times when even the faithful of God will be deceived. Times when those who are preaching give out messages just to please their audience. Times when those preaching teach deceptive doctrines that sound right that, in the final analysis, do not line up with scripture.

Included in this deception are the teachings on prosperity, on so-called ‘hyper-grace’, on replacement theology, and I expect there are a few more

On prosperity, Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Yet ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ abound on television and in pulpits encouraging unlearned folk to part with their money “because God will repay you 100-fold”. The only ones getting prosperous are the preachers – the poor simply get poorer.

On hyper Grace in the case of the sinful woman caught in adultery, Jesus said in John 8:11 “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He doesn’t say, along with the ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’, that they needn’t fret about your sin – it’s already been forgiven for as many times as you want to commit it. Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.”

As for replacement theology, Paul says very clearly, in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” If this is true, then how can Christians have replaced the Jews and Israel in God’s heart as this teaching asserts. Yet the ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ once again prey on unlearned people to follow this teaching into hell.

Deception rules in these days while truth languishes in some backwater where the ‘discredited’ preacher still preaches the words of Jesus – “red letter” truth and preaching.

It just seems such foolishness to accept teaching which has no solid foundation in Christ’s or apostolic teaching but which is twisted and used to found denominations in these times. Jesus actually spoke of them in this way, - “And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.” Mark 13:5

Paul said “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.  But you be watchful in all things.” 2 Timothy 4:3-5a

Yes folks – be watchful in ALL things.