Written By: Don Fizell
Published: June 6,2017
As the Word of God proclaims, there will be an apostasy in the last days, a falling away from the truth. And that is what we see in this postmodern culture of corruption that attempts to redefine truth according to their own delight. What they fail to know and understand is that truth is not something that anyone creates or defines. The Children of God know the truth, as they have found it in the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Unfortunately, postmodernism has crept into many “Christian” ministries and often goes undetected as the apostasy takes root and grows. That postmodernism is often seen as a rejection of absolute truth, though many would claim that they are Bible-believing Christians.
For many Christians that hold on to and embrace every Word of God, it is becoming very difficult to find a Bible-believing Church, but that is not always apparent when examining the statement of faith of many “Christian” ministries. From the outside they often look as though there is nothing wrong. But on the inside there is trouble brewing.
Some examples of that trouble would include a Church that is embracing Contemplative Spirituality, dabbling in the doctrines of the New Apostolic Reformation, and delving into the strange fire of the Emerging Church and Church Growth Movement.
For whatever reason, many pastors, elders, and teachers have determined that the simple truth of the Word of God is not enough for the Church. No, they want more! There must be more to the Christian life, right? In an effort to build their ministries, they often cater to bringing in the world into the House of God.
But wait a minute! Isn’t the House of God regarded as the pillar and ground of the truth. What does that mean? Do not Christians embrace the truth? Do we as Bible-believing Christians not uphold the truth of the Word of God in everything that we say and do in life?
Church leadership that desires to build a local church would be well advised to consider Zechariah 4:6.
Zechariah 4:6
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
In their zeal to build their earthly kingdoms, many pastors are inviting the world into the assembly of Saints. And that is very dangerous for the sheep to be exposed to unruly goats who do not know the Lord. You see it is much easier to pull someone down than it is to pull them up. Try it sometime! Try lifting someone up. Is it not easier to pull them down?
One way in which many ministries have chosen to attract members into their assemblies is with Contemporary “Christian” Music (CCM). But what should never be forgotten about any attempt to entertain or amuse goats is that if they are brought in with entertainment, they must be kept with entertainment. And that goes for any other tactic in attracting members. Is not the Word of God enough?
CCM became very popular in the 70s and 80s. Many people have been blessed by groups that minister the Word of God in song. But times, they are a changing. And now we find that CCM is being used to spread and expand movements and agendas. In that respect they think nothing of introducing the Church and the world to Contemplative Spirituality.
Many pastors, elders, and teachers are simply unaware of the dangers of groups like the abominable “Jesus Culture” and “Hillsong.” They are not able to see that these groups represent another Jesus, another spirit, and another gospel. When challenged those same leaders who are ignorant to the schemes of the devil are not receptive to those who are aware and who are committed to exposing evil in an effort to contend for the faith.
Some of those same ministers believe that they have the strength in themselves to guard and protect the flock that is entrusted to their care. Yet, in and among their ministries, the sheep are being exposed to doctrines of demons, many of which will attempt to drink the cup of the Lord and that of devils. Some of the leaders even say that that song might have been written by the NAR, but that is not what is important. What is important is what the song means to me and to the Church. That is an example of a postmodern position that disregards absolute truth.
What many ministers fail to know and understand is that there may very well be interesting songs, and the leaders may very well be strong, but what about the sheep? What about the people that are not able to discern between good and evil, right and wrong, clean and unclean, and holy and profane? Will they not stumble at their liberality (1 Corinthians 14)?
For example, a person hears “One Thing Remains” from Jesus Culture. They really like the song, and so they go home and research Jesus Culture. In that they find other songs that allure them into a deeper interest into their movement. As their journey into the abyss continues, they find that Jesus Culture is in a cool movement that embraces Contemplative Spirituality and Dominionism (7 Mountains Mandate). What will they now do? Will they be able to withstand and reject that evil, or will they get involved themselves in that movement and further expand it at the local Church?
Galatians 5:9
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
So as a result of the ambitions of the church growth movement, the faith of many people is being destroyed. Many people no longer believe in the absolute truth of the Word of God, as for them, it is all subject to personal opinion and must be made relevant to our times in which we live. Perhaps those people never knew the Lord. So sad!
So in considering this matter, hold on to and embrace every Word of God! Don’t settle for being hip and one with the crowd. Remember Psalms 1 and the admonition and instruction for our everyday lives.
Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Know that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
And don’t think for a minute that you are strong enough not to be adversely effected by that madness.
Hebrews 3:12, 13
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Be on guard! Put on the whole armour of God each and every day! Don’t take anything for granted! Trust the trustworthy, but verify everything! Know for yourself that the Word of God is true and that it is enough! And by all means, understand that pastors, elders, and teachers are human and make mistakes. Though the work of the ministry is essential (Eph. 4), in these last days many ministries are going off into the realm of apostasy.
In that know we all will give account for ourselves to God! For those who are in Christ, we will see the judgment seat of Christ and will receive those rewards that the Lord Jesus Christ has for us. For those who are not in Christ, they will be eternally punished in the lake of fire.
Be strong and don’t look back, for the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back! Keep pressing on in the Lord and walk as Children of Light who are committed to every Word of God!
Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Categories: Postmodern Church Survival Tips