I have seen this here in the United States. There is a cultural Christianity that barely resembles the Christianity of the Bible.
This false religion of "evangelicalism" is based on living a better life not on loving Christ so much we seek His heart to know His will. Much of evangelicalism in our day is based on seminary training rather than on hearing from the Holy Spirit.
It is my belief that many people coming out of seminary are not born again, but rather are those who want to elevate self above others. They are the modern day pharisees, full of knowledge and self they attempt to appear superior to those they rule over.
1 Peter 5:2-4 "…2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.…"
Most of the people I know who are Christians pridefully negate the principles of God's Word that they don't like and camp on those things that they do like, but usually out of context.
There is more scripture violated than followed and anger emerges when they are challenged with scripture.
Leaders should never be allowed to "have power over" anyone. No one should have power over anyone except the Holy Spirit.
Everyone should be humbly seeking the face of God to discover truth while imparting and sharing with those in the flock. They have no power over the people only the Holy Spirit has that.
Luke 24:45-49
45 Then He (Jesus Christ) opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 You are witnesses of these things.
49 And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high (power of the Holy Spirit).”
Luke 4:1 "4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness."
Romans 8:11 "11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."
Far too little attention is given to the Holy Spirit in our day. He is even mocked when mentioned in conversation. If anyone is not led by the Holy Spirit then they are led by the flesh or the devil neither of which is good.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
"5 for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we [c]proved to be among you for your sake."
We do not operate in the flesh when we are born again believers. We operate according to the Holy Spirit. If we are not operating according to the Holy Spirit then we are operating from the fallen flesh with much error and false emotion.
Final word: stop trusting your own intellect to decide how to respond or act and begin seeking the Holy Spirit for every word and every action.
No comments:
Post a Comment