The hypocrisy card!

The loudest screams of hypocrisy are often delivered by believers whose hearts are still under law. These are subtle screams, but screams nevertheless. Residing in the super-natural, they resound in the hearts of those they seek to condemn. These screams are generally masked with what sounds like biblical truth, and truth they may very well be. However, they are half truths at best, and anyone with discernment knows that a half truth is nothing more than a lie.

Richard Piefer expressed the screams of the legalists like this: He said they will say things like, 'Hey George, I know you are all in to the grace thing, but do you honestly think your going to heaven acting like that?' Richard's reply was simple, but dynamic; He said, 'Well according to the apostle Paul, I am already in heaven acting like this.' He then went on to say, 'It never excuses the action, but the point still remains; I'm not going to heaven because of what I do or don't do; I'm going to heaven because of what Jesus is doing and has already done.'

Authors note:

Those who play the hypocrisy card are not listening for the life giving words and wisdom of our precious Lord and Savior; they are seeking to find fault with the vessel. Proclaiming the screams of a defeated foe that still holds them bound by the law of sin and death. And of course misery always loves company!

Therefore, as through one man's offense, judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by One Man's obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~ Romans 5:18-21

And being found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. ~ Phil. 3:9

Commentary by: 

George Miller

Therefore, by their fruits you will know them!

'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves, you will know them by their fruits.' ~ Matt 7:15-16

Many theologians point these verses at christian fanatacism. Citing the Benny Hinn's and John Hagee's of the world as their intended target, i.e. the abuse of giftings in the area of healing, signs and wonders, or of prosperity. While still others cite occult-like doctrines that are way out in the stratosphere. However, I disagree with them both and here is why:

In order to take a closer look at this, let's take a look at four major points, the word false, the word prophet, the term ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing, and the term inwardly.

False: not accurate; not true; in error; incorrect; wrong; mistaken; untruthful; lying; dishonest; false witness; disloyal; unfaithful; deceiving; meant to deceive; misleading; not real; sham; artificial; counterfeit - Webster's dictionary.

Prophet: A religious teacher or leader regarded as or claiming to be divinely inspired; or a person who predicts future events in any way. - Webster's dictionary.

Ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing: Far from being easy to discern, this describes both an elaborate and effective disguise. Notice the word inwardly; suggesting that whatever is wrong with this particular pastor/ person / teacher / ministry is hidden from sight by means of elaborate falsehood. 

My point is this, if the deceptions spoken of in these verses were as easy to discern as occult doctrines, false healers, or prosperity teaching; surely Jesus would have made that clear. 

My friends there is only one teaching that could produce the level of deception Jesus warns against in these verses! And there is only one message that could seem so right and yet be so wrong. And that teaching, that message is works righteousness; the co-mingling of the Old and the New Covenant; simultaneously teaching law and grace; ultimately holding the saints captive to the law.

Author's note:

Please pray for those held captive by legalistic teaching! That they may know God in grace! Pray also for those teaching law; that they may truly see God as He is and stop! God bless you all!

Commentary by:

George Miller

Blasphemy - Never has forgiveness!

Whenever possible, I find it both expediant and beneficial to let the written word of God speak for itself. When this is possible given a certain subject or principle, it generally comes forth with clarity and power. The following is an example of just such power; the written word of God speaking for itself. 

Our story subject principle is taken from two places. First, Matthew chapter 9:1-6; and second, Mark 3:28-30:

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic laying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.' And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, 'This man blasphemies!' But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say, your sins are forgiven you, or to say, arise and walk?But that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins' - then He said to the paralytic, 'Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.'

Enter Mark 3:28-30:

'Assuredly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemies against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation' - because they said, he has an unclean spirit.

Note the religious world accused Jesus of blasphemy; discrediting His accomplishment; His authority, in this case, the power to forgive sin. The book of Mark records Jesus equating this attitude with blasphemy of the Holy Spirit; leading to one of the saddest statements in the entire bible: ' Never has forgiveness.'  Sound familiar? 

Author's note:

This is a stark warning to the religious world regarding the power and authority of the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Not temporarily! Not until your next pastorial induced altar call! Nor your next recital of 1 John 1:9! If you are in Christ, your sins are forgiven by the authority of Christ! Not man's! So that you may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins!

Commentary by:

George Miller

The love of God - a multi-faceted diamond!

When the love of God is alive in the life of believers, it is a multi-faceted diamond that radiates the light of God manifest through a spectrum of living color. Breaking the chains of hopelessness and despair as it dissipates the darkness of this conditional, temporal world. Just turn on the light and the rainbow appears! The light of the Son shining through to illuminate a myriad of individual giftings uniquely expressed in His love.

'But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

~ Gal. 5:22-23

Notice the word fruit in verse 22. How it stands in singular form with the word love. That is because the love of God is always the primary gift! The rest of the gifts are a by-product of the manifestation of God's love. And that root must remain the root; or the giftings themselves lose their legitimacy; as well as their power and become unfruitful, a mere work of the flesh.

'There are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.' ~ 1 Cor. 12:4-7

But eagerly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. ~ 1 Cor. 12:31

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. ~ 1 Cor. 13:13

Commentary by:

George L. Miller

The authority of scripture vs. the person of Christ!

The only person who has ever been fully qualified to oversee the church according to God is Christ. We are taught over and over again that Christ is the head of the church, and rightly so because He is the head of the church. Yet, our stringent adherence to the pastorial epistles coupled with law-based theology has undermined Christ's headship; rather placing it directly in the hands of man. Unfortunately, the over-zealous and often dogmatic emphasis given to the authority of scripture so prevelant in many of our modern schools of theology has in fact become a stumbling block rather than an asset. Especially in regards to the saints actually learning and knowing God. The authority of scripture taking preeminence over the revelatory power of the Holy Spirit. Which brings us back to point.

If Jesus is the only qualified overseer to the church according to God, and the Holy Spirit is in fact the active part of Christ in us, what then should be our focal point when teaching; the authority of scripture, or Christ in us? The answer to this question should be simple; because for all pretense and purposes it is. The problem of course rests with man and his propensity to hold the reigns at all costs even though knowing, particularly in this case, to do so seeks to restrict the power of God.

The scriptures were given to lead us to Christ; that we may both receive and proclaim the power of the ressurected life. The scriptures were not given to lead us to Christ so that He in turn would lead us right back to the deadness of the letter, once again placing us under the authority of scripture and a new set of laws! No! The scriptures, i.e. God's word has and will always have one main theme; that man be reconciled to God through Christ and find peace in his soul. Eternal freedom! For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. ~ Romans 8:2 For we did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but we received the spirit of adoption by which we cry out, "Abba, Father." ~ Romans 8:15

Authors note:

The history of the early church as recorded in the book of Acts has one primary leading; which is of course the third person in the trinity...the Holy Spirit. Which is actually God Himself, harmoniously orchestrating the inner workings and power of the God-head. There were no apostolic doctrines to follow. The epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, etc. were written long before the so-called pastorial epistles of I and II Timothy or Titus; which means that these early saints were actually lead by the Lord Jesus Himself. And with that said, is it any wonder that these early years were the most dynamic and fruitful years in Christian history? Lord that we would hear and return!

Commentary by:

George L. Miller

False prophets, ministers of righteousness, teachers of the law!

'Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilations! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.' ~ Phil. 3:2-3

'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me Lord, Lord; shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? And then I will declare to them I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.' ~ Matt. 7:15-23

'For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.' ~ II Cor. 11:13-15

Here is an example of such work, commentary 1997, Thomas Nelson, NKJV - Heb. 6:4-6:

Impossible is used three other times in the book of Hebrews. It is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sin (10:4), for God to lie (v18), and for anyone to please God without faith (11:6); here it is impossible to renew those who have fallen away from the faith (see v6). Enlightened is used only one other place in Hebrews, (the word is translated illuminated in 10:32); in that verse, enlightenment refers to the full knowledge of the truth. Tasted is used elsewhere in Hebrews in actual experience (2:9), Thus, to taste the heavenly gift is to experience the gift of eternal life. The greek word for partakers is used elsewhere in Hebrews of regenerate people (1:9, 3:1,14). The phrase if they fall away may also be rendered "having fallen away". The fact that there is no hint of a conditional element argues against the "hypothetical" interpretation of this passage (see v 4). Falling away here refers to deliberate apostacy (3:12), a defection from the faith. To renew means "to restore". In other words, it is impossible for continuous effort on the part of anyone in the christian community to restore an apostate back to fellowship with God. This is the reason for the strong warning of 3:13; to exhort one another to avoid a hard heart. Continuing christian immaturity is dangerous. Crucify again: departing from the faith amounts to a fresh public rejection of Christ, a crucifixion of Him all over again.

Here is the correct interpretation of this scripture:

First off we must remember that context is everything. We must determine who the book was written to, why and when. The book of Hebrews was written to a Jewish audience and it's purpose was to initiate the new and superior Covenant declaring Christ as King. The Jews had been enlightened, illuminated with as much of the full knowledge of the truth as they were ever going to get. They had tasted the heavenly gifts of God, from the parting of the Red Sea, to eating manna in the desert. They partook of the Holy Spirit from the crafting of the first temple, til the death of John the baptist. They had tasted the good word of God since childhood through public recital and memorization so that they should have received the coming Messiah, and understood the powers of the age to come like no other. Yet as this powerful verse in Hebrews suggests, there were still those present that refused to fully accept Christ and walk by faith. Choosing rather to stick with their tradition by remaining under the old Mosaic system. Hence the statement, 'crucifying again for themselves the Son of God; since it was that very system that crucified Him in the first place. This is not a hypothetical interpretation of these passages as Nelson's theologians suggest. The entire context of the book of Hebrews validates this point conclusively. To sight this verse in order to substantiate the claim that we can lose our salvation is blasphemy.

The scriptures do not speak of a God who is unable to keep or perform His promises, which is exactly why the promise of salvation once received was not left in the failing hands of man. To say that we can walk away from salvation is equivalent to calling God a liar since He swore by Himself, confirming the promise of salvation with a personal oath. Declaring the ability to save to the uttmost those who come to Him by faith, which in all, He promised to remain faithful.

Authors note:

What do the following definitions all have in common? False prophets, ravenous wolves, dogs, evil workers, mutilators, angels of light transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. Answer - they are all ministers of the law! Ministers of righteousness! Ministers of the flesh! Men and women who preach and teach man's ability rather than God's accomplishment in Christ.

Commentary by:

George L. Miller