It never ceases to amaze me how far removed today’s professed “Christianity” is from what Christ and His apostles preached. There is practically NO resemblance between what is taught and practiced now with regards to the teachings, doctrines and instructions of the Bible.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Firstly, who is a Christian? A Christian, is one who follows the teachings/example of Christ. The next logical question would be, what are the teachings of Christ? While there are many, I would like to focus upon what it means to be a follower of Christ, as opposed to what is actually being preached in many “Churches” in this era.
Luke 9:23 And he [Jesus] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Mark 10:17-24 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (18) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (19) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. (20) And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. (21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. (23) And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! (24) And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Luke 5:11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Luke
18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.
Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
It is important for me to lay a foundation with the above scriptures, because sadly, few read the Bible anymore with the intent to know what Jesus Christ expects of them, despite their claim to be Christians.
Like the rich young man in Mark 10:17-24, many want the promise of heaven/eternal life, but they are unwilling to part with the things of this world in order to attain this “treasure hidden in the field”. Today’s so-called “Christian” teaching runs counter to the aforementioned scriptures. The catch-all phrase for this major doctrinal exposition is called “The Prosperity Gospel”.
Many adherents to what is called “Christianity” today subscribe to some form of this teaching. It advocates the eventual attainment of wealth, after suffering a period of austerity, as a testimony of the believers’ spiritual standing and well-being as well as victory over the forces of the devil which kept them, for a season, from their blessing. Again, this is not what Christ or His disciples taught those who believed Him to be the savour of the world and the spiritual door through which access is gained into the Kingdom of God.
There are many who claim to be followers of Christ (Christians); however, Christ said not everyone who says “Lord Lord” shall enter into the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 7:21.
Christ also spoke of those whose love for the world caused them to abandon following the path of righteousness – Matthew 13:22. Thus, such as these fail to see the example laid out by Him and His disciples in the scriptures.
The Disciples of Christ forsook family, friends and livelihoods to follow Jesus. They were mocked, despised, lied upon, imprisoned and considered to be spreaders of sedition. They embraced a greater treasure “hidden” in the world, which are the words and the example of Christ – the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
Of Christ it is written: 2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Our Lord gave up the “riches” of His heavenly abode to become poor – He put on flesh for the purpose of death – so we could inherit the “treasure” of internal life.
Consequently, those who hear the seed sown – the good news of salvation through faith in Christ – the gospel, are tested by life’s fiery circumstances to prove the calibre of their heart’s confession.
Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Luke 8:11-15 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
At every point of our earthly life, those who are truly followers of Christ must be willing to lay down their “lives”, as Christ did for us. Lives in the earlier sentence is in quotes, because it speaks to more than just our physical life. It speaks to all that we may hold dare in this world. Whether we are called to sacrifice our family, friends, career, reputation, our money/wealth our home or country, nothing in this world, must be held in honour, worshiped or be loved above God. This is the example our Lord and His Disciples left for us.
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
The scriptures record that those who are truly followers of Christ should look to Jesus:
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Think about what Jesus endured as a human being. Many of us will do our utmost to preserve what little dignity we may have left in the midst of circumstances which threaten to destroy our upright standing in society. NO ONE wants to be embarrassed. Neither does anyone volunteer to be falsely accused of a crime and to suffer the resulting public humiliation that comes with such an accusation. Yet, our Lord did along with many who followed His example for the promise of eternal life.
When the Lord said to those who would follow Him that they too must take up their cross, we must understand what He really meant. The cross was a symbol of shame. It was borne by those who were convicted of a crime. The cross represented a tortuous and painful death. For our Lord it also represented obedience to The/His Father through submitting to suffering, because to such was He appointed, even though He was innocent. Therefore, for those who profess to be followers of Christ, they must also take up their cross and bare the test of obedience by suffering in the same manner.
Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
The Lord NEVER promised earthly riches to those whom He called to follow Him. In fact, He says this to His disciples:
Luke 6:20-25 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (21) Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. (22) Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. (23) Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. (24) But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. (25) Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Furthermore, the Apostles of Christ taught the opposite of what is known today as the prosperity gospel, and they endured great hardship to preach the gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:11-13 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; (12) And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: (13) Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: (13) But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (14) If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
These scriptures, I have used here, which record the blessed example of those who deigned to follow Christ are a small sample of the many which document the hardships and trials endured by those who set their desire upon the heavenly treasure. Yet, today this is not the teaching heard nor the example given.
In the testing/trying of our heart through these earthly hardships there is a truth that is missed by those who seek the riches of this world. This precious truth is obedience. Our Lord allows the question of genuine fidelity (love for God) to be asked and answered by our response to our suffering. Will we obey His commandments even in the midst of great adversity or temptation? Remember, this is the test that Adam and Eve failed in the Garden of Eden. Yet, our Lord, being the second Adam, passed.
1Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Luke 4:2-4 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered. (3) And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. (4) And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Luke 4:7-8 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Deuteronomy 8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Again, what more can I say about the patriarch Job who suffered much loss, but after he was tried, did not curse God and kept his integrity.
Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Consider the word “strait” in the above verses. It is not spelt straight – which means a direct and unaltered path between two points. Strait, in this instance, means: difficulty and hardship.
Those who teach contrary to this truth are marked for destruction and lead those who follow them towards the same end.
2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. (3) And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise (to use a person for gain) of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
What more can I say than that which is already so copiously recorded in the precious scriptures about what it means to be a follower of Christ? Therefore, those who reject these writings, in fact, reject the true riches laid up in heaven for those who endure the trying of their faith and who remain obedient to the end. Conversely, those who adhere to the prosperity gospel are not following Christ.