The Jewish religious establishment (the High priest, Priests, Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees) condemned rather than commend Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for His good works like the healing of the man who had been sick for 38 years (John 5:3-9).
From the moment of Christ’s announcement in Matthew 3:2 that the Kingdom of God is at hand, the kingdom of darkness has been very active. Satan and his demons have been relentless in courting religious leaders—from outright possession to deception. It is in understanding Satan’s modus operandi that the believer can escape the coming cataclysm. The Jewish religious leaders fell into the trap just as many Christian leaders have fallen into it also. But, a Bible-believing-practicing Christian does not have to fall for the lies of Satan and his demons.
Many leaders in the Christian religious establishment, like those in the Jewish religious establishment, are teaching man-made doctrines instead of the commandments of God. Pulpit messages are mostly motivational speeches. Oftentimes, members of the congregation are taught how to get God to do their bidding—quote verses of Scripture back to God. He is bound to honor His word, they are told, especially if they have been faithful in their tithing and in their giving. When that does not work, they are told to embark on extended periods of fasting.
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God” (Matt 15:8-9, NLT).
Christian leaders love the honor from human beings. Many have taken the place of God in the hearts of their followers. Rather than teach and lead by example, many have succumbed to the pride of life. Since God resists the proud, it should not come as a surprise that the Holy Spirit is no longer in churches and ministries led by such men and women.
The kingdom of darkness is fighting its most important battle; Satan and his cohorts know that their time is almost up. They are on a rampage. They want to take millions, nay billions, into Christ-less eternity. And they are using Christian leaders. Just look at their lifestyles. What are they teaching? How many of them can honestly say like Brother Paul, “Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11:1, NKJV)?
Bible-believing-practicing Christians appear, judging by their utterances and conduct, not to recognize that we are in very dangerous times. Most of the posts on YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp or Twitter, are about self (health, blessings, protection, and wealth). Shouldn’t the closet be the appropriate place to make our requests to God?
Many do not understand that we are at war—a war for the ages. A war for the souls of human beings trapped in Satan’s kingdom. Our first duty is to obey God and then to work with God to bring many into the knowledge of truth. We cannot be doing that when we are so self-absorbed. And God is not pleased.
Then Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins but they have already passed from death into life. And I assure you that the time is coming, indeed it’s here now, when the dead will hear my voice—the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen will live” (John 5:24-25).
How will the dead in Christ (those not born again and those who, though they have confessed Jesus as Lord and Saviour, continue to live in sin) hear the voice of the Son of God when we are not sounding the alarm daily? Who will open their eyes to the truth if it is not you and I? And how can we do that if those who are perishing do not see the light of God in us—such light which will only emanate when we are truly immersed in Christ? And how can we be immersed in Christ if we are not following His commandments and living in accordance to them?
Are you hearing the voice of the Son of God in messages coming out of pulpits in your churches? If you are, thank God. But if you have doubts, please go to the LORD in prayers. Do not leave His presence until you hear from Him. Never believe anyone who tells you that only Christian leaders can hear from God. God speaks to all His children. Have faith in God. You will know when He speaks into your spirit. He chooses how He makes Himself known. There isn’t only one way with God when it comes to how He communicates with His children. Just believe and trust and you will know that God is God. And when He speaks to you, do not think yourself better than the next person. And do not start a church or assume you have apprehended because you heard God’s voice or saw His form or saw supernatural things while you were enveloped in His presence.
May the LORD bless you and yours with His truth and may the Blood of Jesus cover you and yours as you obey the Spirit’s stirrings in your spirit, in Jesus name, I pray.
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