Seeing and hearing today's headlines, leads us to look again at the simplicity of the Gospel, the simplicity of Christ. The teaching of lies, and the current turning away from this simplicity of truth seems to be the order of the day. We are all aware of this trend in our secular society, but the danger lies in the rejection of scriptural truth, and the words of Christ in many of our churches, as well. The apostle Paul writes about this very thing with great concern to the church of Corinth:
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." 2 Cor. 11:3
In these verses, Paul is concerned that they are weak enough to accept "another" Jesus, and "another" gospel, if someone should come to them preaching those falsehoods (v. 4). He warns that those who teach such lies are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, even as Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (v. 13-14). Though these men brought a false gospel, the church rushed to believe them, even letting themselves be abused and taken advantage of by these false apostles (v. 19-20). Though Paul has gone through great hardships and dangers to bring the life-giving truth of the gospel of Christ to them, the church ran to these smooth talking counterfeits for the lies that they offered (v. 23-33).
What are these lies that so easily draw even the church away from the truth of the Gospel of Christ? Paul tells us in v. 3 above, that it is the same lie the serpent used to beguile Eve: "Hath God said...?" (Gen. 3:1). The foundation of those tempting lies being so quickly received by the church is the same as from the beginning- questioning and ultimately rejecting the Word of God, the Word of truth.
The church today may wonder how they are rejecting the truth of God. Everyday, churches are teaching the opposite of what the Word of God clearly holds. They are rejecting these truths because society has rejected the truths. Unscriptural definitions of marriage, abortion, and other sinful choices are being accepted, and even sanctified by the church. Foundational truths regarding Jesus, His birth, His ministry of healing and miracles, His uncompromising teachings, His death as our atonement for sin, His bodily resurrection, and His return, are no longer taught in fullness. Instead of leading men into truth, the church is following men into lies. The Word of God, like God, does not change (Malachi 3:6, Rev. 22:18-20).
Paul warned that before the person of the antichrist would be revealed, the faith of many would cease:
"...the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." 2 Thess. 2:2-3
In these end times, a falling away from the truth will set the stage for the manifestation of the son of perdition. It is not the secular world that "falls away". It is the church, falling away from the gospel of Christ, from the Word of God. This son of perdition who comes rejects the headship and lordship of God, taking that authority for himself (v. 4). Those who should have been faithful believers in Christ will have led the way for that, as they also, reject the truth and authority of God, spoken in His Word. Because these believers abandoned the truth, God sends a strong delusion upon them, so they will readily believe and accept the lying wonders and signs worked by Satan through this son of perdition (v. 9-12). As we can see, it is a dangerous time to fall away from the simplicity of Christ.
God did not choose us from the beginning for us to fall away and prefer the lie:
"God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 2:13-14
Paul concludes by beseeching and instructing us to "hold fast" to this truth that we have learned (v. 15).
Jesus commands us to continue, to abide in His word (Jn. 8:31), and by so doing, "... ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (v. 32). It isn't the lie that sets men free, it is the simple truth of Christ. To those who do not accept His truth, Jesus says:
"...And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me? He that is of God, heareth God's words: ye therefore, hear them not, because ye are not of God." v. 46-47
It is that simple. We cannot say that we believe Christ, yet choose not to believe His words. All scripture is made up of His words, because He is the Word of God from the beginning (Jn. 1:1, 14), and He held and taught all scripture as truth.
The Word says of God:
"Sing unto Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the LORD is right;
And all His works are done in truth." Ps. 33:3-4
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