Who are you worshipping?

21 Aug, 2016 - 00:08 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Dr Justice Marwisa
In fact, that prophet must be killed! Are we not grateful that we are in the era of grace, as some of us probably should have been stoned to death for pointing people to ourselves or to the signs more than to Christ?

There is so much emphasis on prophecy these days; so much obsession with signs and wonders.

Indeed; prophecies, miracles, signs and wonders are an important aspect of our walk with the Lord. But we need to be careful and not forget that these are not an end in themselves — Christ is.

Care should be taken by church leaders and all believers not to exalt the gifts of God more than the giver of the gifts, who is our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are numerous warnings from the word of God about this, for example Deuteronomy 13:1-5. In this passage, Moses commands that if a prophet’s focus shifts from pointing people to God, that prophet must not be listened to regardless of the fact that the prophecy has come to pass.

In fact, that prophet must be killed! Are we not grateful that we are in the era of grace, as some of us probably should have been stoned to death for pointing people to ourselves or to the signs more than to Christ?

Paul writes: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If any-body is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:6–9)

Here the Apostle Paul castigates the preaching of a different gospel than that of Jesus Christ. He uses strong words, and says that such a person, even if it were an angel or himself, deserves to be condemned eternally! The use of such strong language indicates how serious this issue was to him.

Further, Mark 13:20-22 tells us: “If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is’! Do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect — if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.”

In this portion of Scripture, Christ encourages Christians to be on guard against prophets who will perform great signs and wonders. It must suffice to say that our focus must not be on prophecies, signs and wonders, but on Christ.

The word of God is clear that we should not follow signs and wonders, but the signs and wonders must follow us (Mark 16:15-18). It is also clear that Christ is not necessarily behind every breath-taking miracle or prophecy — the devil can use his demons to do amazing things, including great signs and accurate prophecies.

As servants of God and believers alike, let us hold on to our faith in our Lord Christ Jesus to the end. The gospel is about Christ, not miracles or prophecies. Christ must have the pre-eminence in all things.

Paul warns Timothy that:“The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear” (2 Tim. 4:3).

So let us take heed of the warnings so vividly put across to us in God’s word so that we may not be amongst those who are referred by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:21-23.“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”.

To our Lord Jesus Christ, the only true God, be glory and honour forever and ever Amen!

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