2 Corinthians 4: 4 NKJV
We recently had the sad experience of requesting a brother of ours not join us in fellowship. Now, before you take heed of all the fake christian red flags you might see out there, keep in mind the context of our decision. What fellowship is there with a believer who seeks to argue his point each and every time you're together. Or, to place it in biblical terms, can two who are of opposing views walk together? Apparently the prophet Amos didn't think so {Amos 3:3}. The apostle Paul went so far as claiming that "bad company ruins good morals" {1 Corinthians 15:33}. There are plenty of examples in scripture where two individuals of opposing views cannot coexist. We're told to not be "unequally yolked to unbelievers" {2 Corinthians 6:14}. Still, despite all of the scripture backing, it turned out to be a hard decision. The simple explanation is that both parties had differing views of the gospel. A gospel of sin, punishment and guilt simply isn't for me. For me, Christ Jesus bled and died to cleanse me of all of my iniquities. However, if you listen to the other version, Jesus only forgave half of our sins, and the remaining sins we constantly need to seek forgiveness from God for. Well, first off, this belief makes God a liar. For we are told in scripture that Jesus bled and died to forgive our sins {1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 5:3}. This is indeed one of the hallmarks of our christian faith. To believe otherwise is, I believe, a denial of Christ. So sure are we of the fact that Jesus dealt with our sin issue is echoed by Paul in Romans {Romans 6:6-11}. Are we, being dead to sin, still enslaved by it? I don't think so.
3Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
Amos 3: 3 NKJV
We do not study a faith which includes two ot three gospels of Jesus. There is but one message of the glory of Christ Jesus, and it is given to us in scripture. Where all too many people get it twisted is when they seek to inject their own beliefs into scripture. This, unfortunately, is easy to do. Say I believe din my heart that God was a vengeful God. Well, there are plenty of scriptures to be found in the old testament that would support my belief. Taken out of context, almost any scripture can be changed to fit a misguided belief. We've seen the likes of Jim Jones and David Koresh take the scriptures we know so well and lead so many to death. I believe that this is exactly why Paul advised us to "test the spirits" {1 John 4:1}. Believe me, there will be plenty of others who will come along and try to inject their own beliefs into the gospel. The truth of the gospel of Christ Jesus guides us as we seek to discern what many will claim to be truth. For as Christ dwells in us, we are able to hear directly from He who saved us {Galations 2:20}. It is Jesus who will speak to us when we seek Him. Are you unsure of the so called truth someone else is proclaiming? Seek to hear from Christ who is in you and He will help you discern what you are hearing. One sure fire way to recognize the true truth of Christ from a bogus version comes when you hear someone claim that Christ Jesus has not come in the flesh. If you ever hear someone proclaim this, run away from this heresy as fast as you can {1 John 4:3}. The sad fact remains that we may lose a few aquaintences along the way, but what we've gained is so much better. Do not take this as a invitation to not fellowship and speak the truth of Christ Jesus, but to shout His truth from the rooftops to all who will hear with open hearts.
1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 4: 1 - 3 NKJV
~Scott~
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