There are countless people claiming to be “Christians” – followers of Christ – who walk contrary to the very instruction of scripture. However, this is and should not be surprising to those who are actually in Christ, because these are among those whom the Lord said will demonstrate a “form (appearance) of godliness…” I Timothy 3:5.
Jesus revealed in the parable of the sower that there are those who feign faith. However, the afflictions which will come upon them and their love for the things of this world, will expose them for who they really are.
The increasing “troubles” in the world are meant to separate the wheat from the chaff – the sheep from the goats. As tensions rise among nations and peoples of the world, those who have built their houses/lives upon the shifting sands of this life, instead of upon the unmovable rock of Christ, will suffer loss.
Additionally, I’ve noticed an amazing truth prophesized of by the Lord and manifesting itself in these times among those who say they are “Christians” and are not. They reject the scriptures outright. Amazingly, based upon their own lifestyle and utterances, it is clear they have never read the scriptures at all. It is for this reason, Paul, the apostle, wrote to Timothy to instruct him to:
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
(2 Timothy 4:2-4)
As on that day, prior the Christ’s crucifixion, a choice was placed before the Jews by Pontius Pilate between Barabbas – the insurrectionist and murder – and Jesus. The priests – spiritual leaders – moved them to choose the insurrectionist and murderer. It is the same today – false “Christian” teachers lead the hypocritical masses towards their destruction.
“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 Peter 2:1)