beware Archives – Sonshine's Journal

October 14, 2016

How To Fight the Visible/Invisible War

be-vigilanta Today you can turn on a TV almost anywhere in the world and find so-called Christian programming. I say so-called because there are many out there that are Christian in name only. As believers, we are not just facing an invisible war in our minds but also a visible war when we see and hear what may or may not be the truth. We must be discerning.

The Corinthians were being led astray by the “false apostles” who had infiltrated the church. Paul reveals that his flock, whom he loved, were not being discerning nor were they being Bereans to search the scriptures to see if these who had come into their midst were indeed Christ’s servants or not.These had come with flattering words. They had come with a list of do’s and don’t’s adding works to a simple gospel salvation. They sought to exalt themselves not Christ. They looked like sheep but were wolves in sheep’s clothing. As Clarke said, “We mistake them for the working of the Holy Spirit.”

Be not deceived. If Satan could infiltrate the perfect Garden then he can and does infiltrate the church today. He comes either as a subtle serpent, a roaring lion or an angel of light.

How do we recognize them? They are the smooth talkers, the fancy dressers, the loud proclaimers; the false humility. They seek to place you under bondage. Jeremiah faced it as well: “They were supposed to watch over my people like shepherds watch over their sheep. But they are causing my people to be destroyed and scattered.” [Jer 23]

So what do we do? We become Bereans examining what they say. We observe and take notes on how they think and act. We pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are cautious. We inspect their fruit. In short, we are careful or vigilant.

February 12, 2016

Meeting Jesus on a Dusty Road

acts 9 saul meets J+2 One day in the teaching ministry of Jesus, he told a parable about a Pharisee and a Publican to illustrate the truth of those who were confident in their own righteousness while they looked down on others. In much the same way, Saul, whom we meet in Acts 9 is a picture of that Pharisee. His prayers might have sounded just like the Pharisee: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people:” …in addition, God I thank you I am not one of those followers of that Jesus pretender. And so with that mindset, Saul set out to murder the Lord’s disciples not only in Jerusalem but also in Damascus. But unbeknownst to the high priest and Saul, God had a different plan. He needed a Jew who was a scholar, fluent in both Greek and Aramaic, knowledgeable in the Torah and the Prophets. Who better to fit that bill than Saul! Clearly, Saul must have overlooked Is 55 “my ways are higher than yours, and my plans are superior to yours.”

And so it was on a dusty road that Saul met Jesus first hand and it radically changed his mind, his heart and his lifestyle. He wrote later: “I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ,”[Phi 3:8] Saul, soon to be Paul, now picked up where the martyred Stephen left off unapologetically proving Jesus is the Christ.

Beware lest you think like Saul—Jesus may meet you and your life will be forever changed.

September 15, 2015

God’s Laundry Service

Each week we drag garments that have been worn and soiled to the washer. These soiled garments are an illustration of who were before Christ’s cleansing entered us. Just as soap washes our garments, Christ’s blood washed us from the ravages of sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit rubs the stains of the old life out as He begins the process of sanctification. He is regenerating us to be a fit vessel for God’s use. The dryer and the iron accomplish their work so that we are without spot or wrinkle “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” [1Cor 6]

Garments have tags to remind us of the sins of ignoring the warning signs. Wrong soap, wrong temperature, disastrous results. God has his own tags and they are found in His word. Beware of being self-deceived. Beware of pride which says I can live anyway I like for God does not see; God does not care; it won’t happen to me. Beware of the stain of immorality; it stains the inner man permanently.

Drop into God’s laundromat—His service is free. You can leave your garments of filthy rags and he will return yours with the garments of righteousness so that you may glorify him.

Thoughts from 1Cor 6

May 26, 2015

Compassionate Warning

Paul’s compassionate heart is revealed in ch 1 for two women who are struggling. Now in ch 2 he reveals his “soft side” once again but it is for the church as a whole and not just the Colossian church but also the Laodicean church. Paul notes that they are currently living Christ-like lives but he warns that danger is ahead. It is in Revelation ch 3 and the letter to the Laodicean church that we find out what happens when we fail to obey the warning signs.

What was Paul warning these precious new believers about? It appears that there were those who were lurking in the church that wanted to captivate these believers with empty deceitful philosophy which was nothing more than “self-imposed worship and false humility.” Paul reminded these precious believers that all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. Beware of those who come seeking to lead you astray by wanting to add elemental spirits of the world, mystical visions and ecstatic experiences to the simple gospel message! They are much like Timothy Leary who advocated psychedelic drugs so one could “know God.” They seek to “deceive you through arguments that sound reasonable.” Beloved, we must be Bereans! We must examine the scriptures to see if what they are saying is truth so we can be discerning!

Sadly, the Laodicean church failed to heed the warning signs; Christ noted that they were negligent and found wanting. Beloved cling to this; in Him you have been made complete. Therefore, remain firm in your faith, discerning truth from error, loving the brethren, bearing fruit, and growing.

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