" Charlatans ? "

 

2nd.Timothy 3:1-5  "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent (without self control), fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of GOD; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:  from such turn away."

     Many naive people would like to believe that anyone or anything within the religious realm is of GOD. That is a dangerous assumption to make. Unfortunately, a number of charlatans are in the world who are seeking to make merchandise of the uninformed and unwary. GOD calls upon HIS children to be discerning both with regard to the message to which they are listening as well as the messenger who is presenting the message. In the book of 2nd.Timothy, the Apostle Paul warns his readers that "in the last days perilous times shall come" (2nd.Timothy 3:1 pictured above). He then proceeds to list a whole series of indictments against those "having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof" (v.5) Within Christendom, many are extremely religious, but they are lost and proclaiming a false message. "From such turn away," says the Apostle (v.5).

     "A Universalist preached at a village to a large congregation, and endeavored to convince his hearers that there is no punishment after death. At the close of the meeting, he informed the people that if they wished for him to do so, he would preach there again in four weeks." Then, "a respected merchant. . .arose and replied, 'Sir, if your doctrine is true, we do not need you; and if it is false, we do not want you'" (1,000 Tales Worth Telling by Hy Pickering). The Bible says those "that know not GOD, and that obey not the Gospel of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. . .shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the LORD, and from the glory of HIS power" (2nd.Thessalonians 1:8-9 see first picture below). Do not be fooled by the dangerous teachers of false doctrine. Instead, take heed to the Apostle Paul's invaluable admonition in verse five: "From such turn away." JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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