Elders Letter
James Russell, Elder
To God’s Scattered Brethren and Co -Workers,
Today, we live in a time of great deception. This deception comes from many sources, not the least of which is our government and yes, Churches as well. It is easier for most people to believe a lie, than to believe the truth; Everyone wants to hear the "smooth things" (Isa. 30:10).
Webster's "1828 American Dictionary of the English Language" define the word "deceived," as: "1. To ensnare; 2. To mislead the mind; 3. To cause to err; 4. To cause to believe what is false; 5. Or to disbelieve what is true: to delude, to beguile, to cheat." Jesus warned His disciples, "Take heed that no man deceive you" (Matt. 24:4).
Strategic deception has been practiced throughout history. Sun Tsu said, "All warfare is based on deception!" The Greeks deceived the Trojans with the giant wooden "Trojan horse" and thus defeated the ancient city-state of Troy in one night. The Romans manipulated and deceived the Carthaginians into a false peace and disarmament, then attacked and annihilated them.
When Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, less than a mile from Jerusalem, His disciples asked Him what would be the sign of His coming and the end of the age? His answer? "For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence's, and earthquakes, in divers places" (Matt. 24:6-7,11). Christ mentioned deception 4 times in the context of Matthew 24, and inferred in Matthew 25 that the majority of people living at that time; would be living their normal, everyday life. "But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark" (Matt. 24:37-38). Just prior to the flood in Noah's day [described in Genesis Chapters six and eight], people were oblivious to their coming destruction. It is no different today.
Christ obviously showed there are parallels between that time of deception, crisis and destruction and the days we are presently living in. Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 are all headline news reports for today! Just as Matthew 25 begins with the parable of the ten virgins, which is a warning sign for God's people and their organized assemblies, too many have followed the path of the five foolish virgins. They have become apathetic, complacent and confident that their roots in practicing syncretism will save them!
What was one of the Apostle Paul's God-inspired instructions to Titus, when he appointed him to go and "ordain elders in every city"? "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth" (Titus 1:5, 13-14). Those whom Paul was describing here refuse to accept the Bible as their sole authority and standard for religious teachings and personal conduct! They, who will not endure sound doctrine [truth] from God's instruction book, the Bible, will chose their own' destiny. "Truth" reveals the nature of God and His remedy for sin; sin meaning "missing the mark" [missing' God's instructions of truth].
The five foolish virgins missed their mark and goal. Why? Because they did not take time to "Buy truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23). God's church has always faced the problem of perverted teachings that pose as "the truth." Every teaching of God's church should be able to stand the closest scrutiny. Satan can always do more damage to the advancement of truth by working within the church than by attacking it from without!
Postponing God's Holy Day Sabbaths, is practicing Jewish fables and myths. God's house [Church of God] today is being polluted by mixing Jewish fables with God's instruction book, the Bible! "For the children of Judah [those that go back to their Jewish roots] have done evil in My sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it" (Jer. 7:30).
We are warned through the Apostle Paul's letter to Timothy. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim. 3:12-13).
Jeremiah, who's theme is "warning and judgment" writes, "For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich" (Jer. 5:26-27). Paul understood Jeremiah's statement, that is why he warned to beware of people who talk smoothly and use flattery to deceive' the minds of naive people. Do you think that could happen in the Church of God? Are there any smooth talkers in God's Church today? Are there any naive people in God's Church?
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine [found in God's Word] which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:17-18).
Webster's Dictionary defines "discernment" as: "The understanding of the differences; to make distinction as to discern between good and evil; truth and falsehood." It is essential that thinking people who stand up for God's truth and values have the ability to discern between good and evil, falsehood and truth and especially syncretism [mixing religions].
While the great majority of people throughout God's Church veg-out in their comfort zones, a small spiritual group who have not bowed their knee to Baal mixing religions, are awake and understand what the, five foolish virgins were to go and buy! "Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Prov. 23:23). You cannot buy God's Holy Spirit, evidenced by reading Act 8. " Then laid; they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot inthis matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God." (Act 8:17-21) God's Holy Spirit is a free gift upon repentance and baptism.
God's truth, grace wisdom, instruction, understanding, guidance, discernment, protection, peace and strength is promised to all of us throughout God's Word, if we seek it out with a humble spirit.
Church of God, In Truth: P.O. Box 1120 Kimberling City, MO 65686; Tel: 417-338-0033 Fax: 417- 338- 0031
Martin Martinez, Deacon: Tel: 787-786-5856 E-Mail: marty@ucint.com [ Spanish ]
|