Showing posts with label becoming apostate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label becoming apostate. Show all posts

03 November 2020

A Few Thoughts about Steps into Apostasy Part B

 

B5 Loss of creation

C1 Since the Bible interpretation method is changed, the interpretation of Genesis especially the first 9 chapters are also changed.

C2 Often times science becomes the highest wisdom and authority replacing God and His words.

C3 If we can’t believe what God inspires in the first 9 chapters, when do we start believing what He said? 1 John 5:10 CSB The one who believes in the Son of God has this testimony within himself. The one who does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about his Son.

B6 Loss of doctrine

C1 Mainly loss of the idea that doctrine is important

C2 The teaching and beliefs in the church are determined by society and its changing times.

C3 Teachers that teach what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear. 2 Timothy 4:3 NLT For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

C4 Authority turns from Scripture to science, philosophy, experience, mysticism, “the silence” with its contemplative prayer, and personal ideas of truth.

C5 The solution is the Bible itself.

D1 False teachers will arise, so beware and avoid.

E1 2 Timothy 2:17-18 GNB Such teaching is like an open sore that eats away the flesh. Two men who have taught such things are Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the way of truth and are upsetting the faith of some believers by saying that our resurrection has already taken place.

E2 Jeremiah 14:14 NRSV And the LORD said to me: The prophets are prophesying lies in my name; I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.

E3 Ezekiel 22:28 NLT And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, 'My message is from the Sovereign LORD,' when the LORD hasn't spoken a single word to them.

D2 False priorities will replace God Himself. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 GNB Remember that there will be difficult times in the last days. 2 People will be selfish, greedy, boastful, and conceited; they will be insulting, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and irreligious; 3 they will be unkind, merciless, slanderers, violent, and fierce; they will hate the good; 4 they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God; 5 they will hold to the outward form of our religion, but reject its real power. Keep away from such people.

D3 God warns us.

D4 God teaches all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be proficient, having been thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17 EMTV).

D5 To remain steadfast and true to the faith.

E1 Colossians 1:23 NKJV if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.

E2 2 John 1:9 PickNT Anyone who turns aside and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; but whoever continues in Christ's teaching does have both the Father and the Son.

B7 Loss of what’s authoritative

C1 Seeking authority from leaders, mysticism, experiences, etc.

C2 Drifting from Bible reading and study for reading theological books and articles and listening to speakers.

C3 Solution

D1 Psalms 119:130 AFV The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

D2 Proverbs 6:22-23 GW When you walk around, they will lead you. When you lie down, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will talk to you 23 because the command is a lamp, the teachings are a light, and the warnings from discipline are the path of life

B8 Loss of Christian witness

C1 The Gospel changes. It becomes corrupted by people adding something to doworks, rituals, joining a certain group, etc.

C2 People losing their conscience (become hardened and calloused) and guilt. People in general think they are good, and God will accept them to heaven as they are.

D1 Hardening of conscience

E1 Titus 1:15-16 NRSV To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure. Their very minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their actions. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

E2 1 Timothy 4:2 NET influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

D2 Self-deception Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

C3 Solution

D1 Knowing that the gospel never changes. Compare Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6, and James 2:23. See Revelation 14:6.

D2 Know and believe the Gospel.

D3 Know that God curses anyone who changes the gospel. Galatians 1:8 NIV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!

D4 Realize that preaching the wrong gospel will have people believing an error and not be saved. Some wrong gospels are works and rituals are necessary, etc.

B9 Loss of Christian worldview

C1 Drifting into pantheism. See Romans 1:21-25.

C2 Losing Creator and creation for oneness of all things

C3 2 Timothy 3:4 GNB they will be treacherous, reckless, and swollen with pride; they will love pleasure rather than God.

B10 Loss of Christian lifestyle

C1 2 Peter 2:22 NLT They prove the truth of this proverb: "A dog returns to its vomit." And another says, "A washed pig returns to the mud.

C2 See the difference from Galatians 5:16-26.

B11 Loss of Christianity

C1 Drifting into atheism, pantheism, and other religions with different gods and different gospels. Compare Romans 1:25 GNB They exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever! Amen.

C2 Refusing to believe.

D1 Personally, I understand this passage to be saying “No” to God rather than there is no god. Psalms 14:1 NRSV To the leader. Of David. Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

D2 Matthew 23:37 WEL O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you. How often I wanted to gather your children together even like a hen gathers her chicks under [her] wings, but you determinately would not.

D3 John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”

2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 NKJV Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present [you] faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, [Be] glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

02 November 2020

A Few Thoughts about Steps into Apostasy Part A

 

The steps into apostasy

B1 Loss of first love

B2 Loss of prayer and fellowship with God

B3 Loss of truth

B4 Loss of correct interpretation

B5 Loss of creation

B6 Loss of doctrine.

B7 Loss of what’s authority

B8 Loss of Christian witness

B9 Loss of Christian worldview

B10 Loss of Christian lifestyle

B11 Loss of Christianity


B1 Loss of first love

C1 Revelation 2:4 WEL Nevertheless, I have [something] against you, because you have forsaken your first love.

D1 Why love?

E1 Considering that love is a choice. It seems that they loved something or someone else supremely.

E2 Exodus 20:3 NLT You must not have any other god but me.

E3 Matthew 6:33 EMTV But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

E4 John 14:15 WEL If you love me, obey my commandments.

D2 The Ephesians, as well as all of us sometimes, started to desire other things, justify it somehow, and eventually fulfill their desire.

E1 1 John 2:16-17 NIV For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

E2 James 1:14-15 GW Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. 15 Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death.

D3 The solution

E1 To know the truth, believe the truth, and live the truth. John 8:32 NIV Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

E2 To rely on the grace of God. Jude 1:24-25 NKJV Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

E3 The Lord. 2 Peter 2:9 EMTV then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and how to keep the unjust under punishment for the Day of Judgment,

E4 Praying to recognize the way out of temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 EMTV No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.

B2 Loss of prayer and fellowship with God

C1 Fellowship is something God enjoys. Fellowship with God, talking to God, enjoying God’s blessings, and serving God diminish. The loss comes from enjoying spending time with other things and having no time for fellowship with God.

D1 1 John 1:3 ESV that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

D2 Micah 6:8 NIV He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

C2 Prayer is talking with God. We don’t use trite phrases, memorized words, manipulation, etc. The loss is no time to talk to God.

D1 Consider this application: Revelation 3:20 NIV Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

D2 Proverbs 15:8 NRSV The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

D3 Matthew 6:7-8 GNB When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. 8 Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him.

B3 Loss of truth

C1 Replacing truth with a substitute of truth.

C2 2 Timothy 4:2-4 NLT Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

C3 God never changes. So, His truth never changes. Malachi 3:6 NLT I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.

C4 Loss or changing of THE standard.

D1 God’s character never changes. If it did, then we have the problem with God’s perfection. If there is a defect in God’s character, then He cannot be perfect/flawless in what He does and decrees. There would be a defect. BUT, God has no needs, no defects, nothing missing from His knowledge. So, His standards cannot change.

D2 We must ask, “What is His purpose for the Old Testament Laws?”

E1 The Mosaic Law is a covenant with an earthly nation and people. If they do His laws, He blesses. If they do not His laws, He curses. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 NRSV See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn from the way that I am commanding you today, to follow other gods that you have not known.

E2 God’s purpose for the law, I believe, is to show that no one can obey His laws in thoughts or desires or words or deeds. All are condemned. God’s purpose did not lack anything.

E3 His purpose was completed in Jesus, who did obey God’s law in His thoughts and desires and words and deeds.

E4 Since God’s purpose was fulfilled, Jesus revealed the true way and true laws. Compare Galatians 3

C The solution might be

D1 Faith that since God does not change, His standards do not change either.

D2 Understanding the difference between the two worldviews taught in the Bible. They are the “flesh/world” worldview and the “spirit” worldview. Compare Galatians 5:16-26, 1 John 2:16, and Romans 8.

B4 Loss of correct Bible interpretation

C1 There are many methods of interpretation. Some examples are allegorical, symbolic, mystical, and spiritual.

C2 Losing Bible reading and study to reading mainly commentaries and articles.

C3 Many arguments for these other methods of interpretation are given, books written, and lectures orated to convince us to adopt a different method of interpretation.

C4 To me, it is most reasonable to interpret the Bible in its plain, normal sense. Since God is omniscient, omnisapient, and omnipotent, He certainly must be perfect in His communication. The plain, normal sense in His intended method of interpretation. If He wishes to communication symbolism, it is obvious.