The saying “Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery” has some merit. Rarely are worthless things imitated. In today’s world of knock-off purses, software and other commodities, it is no surprise that people imitate or mimic other people also.
In the spiritual realm, the Bible warns Christians about imitations, people who talk and appear to be believers but “inwardly are ravenous wolves.” For them, Christianity offers spiritual power, power they do not otherwise have.
Acts 19 describes one example: “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, ‘We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ . . . And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them . . . .”
It didn’t work. Their error was in that they didn’t understand Holy Spirit power. He does not give supernatural abilities to anyone for their own purposes, or for grandstanding or sideshows. Even the demons they tried to repel understood that these imitators were not the real thing.
Today’s world also has ‘knock-off’ Christians. They may go to a traditional church, or form their own denomination. They may do good things, or simply use religion to line their own pockets. Their mimicry is so difficult to detect that Jesus said to let the “wheat and the weeds” grow together; He would separate them in judgment.
I’m bothered by the fact that these deceivers have the power to confuse innocent bystanders who are curious or searching for the truth. How can people know whether or not someone or some church is what they claim to be? There is no easy set of questions to ask or a simple test to give them. In my mind, being aware that they exist is important since gullible people are often sucked in by not realizing people will offer them false ideas in the name of Christ.
The fact that false teachers exist poses another dilemma. Rather than take on what seems like an ardous task of sorting out true from false, real from fake, too many people toss the whole works in the round file. It’s too much work. Others might use the eenie-meanie method and take their chances with whatever they pick. With eternal destiny at stake, rolling dice is not a good idea!
There is a way. God promises if a person searches for Him with their whole heart, they will find Him. A whole-heart search means a nothing held back, no strings attached where-are-you-God desire. He says He will reward those who “earnestly seek Him.”
How? Forget the claims. Forget the advertising and wild promises. Forget what comes by two-by-two on the doorstep. Forget past religious hopes and disappointments. Just ask Him to reveal the truth. He will. (And it helps to read the Bible while you wait.)
Writing these words is more for me than anyone who might read them. I’ve had a most challenging week. Many times I’ve not known what to say or when to shut up, what to do, or should I not do anything? Things have happened to bring out my weaknesses and selfishness. I’ve felt punched, kicked, tormented and humbled. Yet in it God asks me to do the same thing. Forget the failures and uncertainties. Just ask Him to give me what I need to do the right thing, to glorify Him. And He will.
No comments:
Post a Comment