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Today's Lesson

“Is This You?”

 

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(2 Corinthians 11:14 kjv) 

        12-But I will continue doing this to cut the ground out from under the feet of those who boast that their work is just like ours. 13-These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14-But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. 15-So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; New Living Translation)

        One Jewish writing (the Apocalypse of Moses) says that the story of Eve’s temptation includes Satan masquerading as an angel. Paul may have been thinking of this story, or he could have been referring to Satan’s typical devices. In either case, nothing could be more deceitful than Satan, the prince of darkness, disguising himself as an angel of light. In the same way, these false apostles were pretending to be apostles of Christ, while in reality they were agents of Satan.

        Satan and his servants can deceive us by appearing to be attractive, good, and moral. Many unsuspecting people follow smooth-talking, Bible-quoting leaders into cults that alienate them from their families and lead them into the practice of immorality and deceit. Don’t be fooled by external appearances. Our impressions alone are not an accurate indicator of who is or isn’t a true follower of Christ; so it helps to ask these questions: (1) Do the teachings confirm Scripture? (2) Does the teacher affirm and proclaim that Jesus Christ is God, who came into the world as a man to save people from their sins? (3) Is the teacher’s life-style consistent with biblical morality?

        2-"I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. 3-You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. 4-But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5-Look how far you have fallen from your first love! Turn back to me again and work as you did at first. If you don’t, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. 6-But there is this about you that is good: You hate the deeds of the immoral Nicolaitans, just as I do. 7-"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God. (Revelations 2:2-7; New Living Translation)

        Ephesus was the capital of Asia Minor, a center of land and sea trade, and, along with Alexandria and Antioch in Syria, one of the three most influential cities in the eastern part of the Roman Empire. The temple to Artemis, one of the ancient wonders of the world, was located in this city, and a major industry was the manufacture of images of this goddess. Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years and warned the Ephesians that false teachers would come and try to draw people away from the faith. False teachers did indeed cause problems in the Ephesian church, but the church resisted them, as we can see from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. John spent much of his ministry in this city and knew that they had resisted false teaching.

        The one who "walks among the seven gold lampstands" (the seven churches) is Jesus. He holds the "seven stars in his right hand" (messengers of the churches), indicating his power and authority over the churches and their leaders. Ephesus had become a large, proud church, and Jesus’ message would remind them that he alone is the head of the body of believers.

        Does God care about your church? If you are tempted to doubt it, look more closely at these seven letters. The Lord of the universe knew each of these churches and its precise situation. In each letter, Jesus told John to write about specific people, places, and events. He praised believers for their successes and told them how to correct their failures. Just as Jesus cared for each of these churches, he cares for yours. He wants it to reach its greatest potential. The group of believers with whom you worship and serve is God’s vehicle for changing the world. Take it seriously—God does.

        Over a long period of time, the church in Ephesus had steadfastly refused to tolerate sin among its members. This was not easy in a city noted for immoral sexual practices associated with the worship of the goddess Artemis. We also are living in times of widespread sin and sexual immorality. It is popular to be open-minded toward many types of sin, calling them personal choices or alternative life-styles. But when the body of believers begins to tolerate sin in the church, it is lowering the standards and compromising the church’s witness. Remember that God’s approval is infinitely more important than the world’s.

        Christ commended the church at Ephesus for (1) working hard, (2) patiently enduring, (3) not tolerating evil people, (4) critically examining the claims of false apostles, and (5) suffering without quitting. Every church should have these characteristics. But these good efforts should spring from our love for Jesus Christ. Both Jesus and John stressed love for one another as an authentic proof of the Good News. In the battle to maintain sound teaching and moral and doctrinal purity, it is possible to lose a charitable spirit. Prolonged conflict can weaken or destroy our patience and affection. In defending the faith, guard against any structure or rigidity that weakens love.

        Paul had once commended the church at Ephesus for its love for God and others, but many of the church founders had died, and many of the second-generation believers had lost their zeal for God. They were a busy church—the members did much to benefit themselves and the community—but they were acting out of the wrong motives. Work for God must be motivated by love for God, or it will not last.

        Just as when a man and woman fall in love, so also new believers rejoice at their newfound forgiveness. But when we lose sight of the seriousness of sin, we begin to lose the thrill of our forgiveness. In the first steps of your Christian life, you may have had enthusiasm without knowledge. Do you now have knowledge without enthusiasm? Both are necessary if we are to keep love for God intense and untarnished. Do you love God with the same fervor as when you were a new Christian?

        For Jesus to "remove your lampstand from its place" would mean the church would cease to be an effective church. Just as the seven-branched candlestick in the Temple gave light for the priests to see, the churches were to give light to their surrounding communities. But Jesus warned them that their lights could go out. In fact, Jesus himself would extinguish any light that did not fulfill its purpose. The church needed to repent of its sins.

        The Nicolaitans were believers who compromised their faith in order to enjoy some of the sinful practices of Ephesian society. The name Nicolaitans is held by some to be roughly the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word for "Balaamites." Balaam was a prophet who induced the Israelites to carry out their lustful desires. When we want to take part in an activity that we know is wrong, we may make excuses to justify our behavior, saying that it isn’t as bad as it seems or that it won’t hurt our faith. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.

        Through John, Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for hating the wicked practices of the Nicolaitans. Note that they didn’t hate the people, just their sinful actions. We should accept and love all people and refuse to tolerate any evil. God cannot tolerate sin, and he expects us to stand against it. The world needs Christians who will stand for God’s truth and point people toward right living.

        We are victorious by believing in Christ, persevering, remaining faithful, and living as one who follows Christ. Such a life brings great rewards.

        Two trees were in the Garden of Eden—the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Eating from the tree of life brought eternal life with God; eating from the tree of knowledge brought realization of good and evil. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge, they disobeyed God’s command. So they were excluded from Eden and barred from eating from the tree of life. Eventually, evil will be destroyed and believers will be brought into a restored paradise. In the new earth, everyone will eat from the tree of life and live forever.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY...

        There are so many false teachers out there and they intentionally deceive you and they just want what they can get from you.  They don't care if you live or die as long as they get glory and come out on top.  Watch out for these people for they are almost impossible to recognize.  The bad thing is that the average person can't tell them from anybody else.  They are the people who tell you all the things you want to hear and let you see the things you want to see.  I just ask that you really study the person who gains your trust.  Watch how they live their lives (in and out of church). 

        When a person teaches you, watch them and see if they live what they taught you.  Please don't put your trust and your life in the hands of someone you don't know.  A lot of people that I am responsible for teaching get this e-mail.  The same is true with me, please don't trust me until you know me.  I'm not saying I'm not worthy of trust, I'm just saying you need to make it a standard practice to really, really know anyone who comes into your life that will be responsible for your spiritual development and growth.  This world is in bad enough shape as it is.  Find the right person and settle for nothing less but that someone who is willing to go that extra mile for you and love you as well as teach you.  The one good thing about love is that it comes from God and satan can't hide in it.  If you watch someone long enough you will see if they can really love or not.  To those of you who are false teachers in and around my life and the ones I love, I know who you are, and I just want you to know this one thing; God knows too.  When you teach someone wrong I'll do my best to come after you and teach them right.  Just remember what the Bible says about your deeds.  So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.  (2 Corinthians 11:15; New Living Translation) 

I wrote a poem a while back about false teachers that want glory and high positions.  God gave me these words one night when I was disgusted with these false teachers.  It is very to the point and tells it like it is to a degree that's not seen very much these days ...

IT IS YOU

By Roy L Romine Sr

 

 

It is you, these words are written for

The one who politely deceives

The one who appears to be upright

Whom the innocent respects and believes

 

 

It is you, who appears to be in the light

In all you do and say

But deep down inside where no one can see

You scheme to have your own way

 

 

It is you, who’s outside is normal

For all the world to see

But inside is darkness, pain and discord

Because of the way you choose to be

 

 

There are those who walk among you

They can see right through your acts

Totally aware of your motives

Through your own eyes, they gather the facts

 

 

It is you, who just won’t hear these things

The anger flows through your veins like fire

You present yourself as an angel of light

But, in your heart you know you’re a liar

 

 

It is you, who tells about Jesus

How his blood can wash you clean

But are you teaching for the good of the lost

Or, are you doing it just to be seen

 

 

It is you, you must be the leader

And everyone must know

For glory is like a lust for you

Your deeds you have to show

 

 

There’s just one thing about a leader

And it qualifies only the best

To be honored with that position

You simply must pass a test

 

 

First you must learn to follow

Those who are above you

You must display an honest heart

And they will come to love you

 

 

It’s like when a husband loves his wife

And she knows it with all she is

Nothing could ever turn her from him

Because she knows her heart is his 

 

 

 

For the ones you place above you

Are the ones you will eventually lead

First you must learn to serve your flock

And fulfill their every need

 

 

Once they know you love them

By the truth from your very soul

Then they will make you their leader

It’s a privilege, not a position or a goal

 

 

It is you, who harbors wickedness

Deep inside your brain

The nasty, perverted thoughts you have

Almost drive you insane

 

 

For when you accuse and judge someone

You are the one who is bad

For those thoughts that are lurking in your mind

Are only the thoughts you had

 

 

People like you are the reason

Lost people go to hell

Because there’s a total difference

In the way you act and the things you tell

 

 

To all who don’t know Jesus

I’m sorry for all that you’ve seen

There are some very good Christians

Who are loving, caring and clean

 

 

There is no man who is perfect

Except Jesus Christ alone

And there will never be another

Even after the world is gone

 

 

 If you seek a good Christian

Study the life of our Lord

For if you’re looking for a man like Him

Your search will be lonely and hard

 

 

So please my brother, live a good life

And nothing deceptive should you tell

For the tongue is the mightiest member

You just might steer someone towards hell...

Think About It...

Love, Your Friend, Roy...