Are You Following Jesus Or Something Else?
The following is one from my blogs infancy. It felt right to re-post it again here today.
Greetings,
Question? Are you free in Christ or are you following some other philosophy? There are a ton of other belief systems out there to follow. Some of them even say they are Christian, but who are you following?
” See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principals of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
Are you sure that it is Jesus that you are following? Or are you involved in something else with a little bit of Jesus tossed in to make it seem alright? Many people follow things because of tradition, but Jesus warned us about possibly nullifying the Word of God for the sake of tradition. (Matthew 15:6) Just because something is traditional it does not mean that it is a good or Godly thing. Many “church” activities fall into this category. Like sermons, tithing, and the Clergy/Laity division.
There are many teachings and philosophies out there that are based on the world’s principals and not Christ. Like the prosperity doctrine of giving to God so you can get back more. Or the church following a modern business model of CEO/Pastor Leadership instead of being servants like Jesus taught. Any top down pyramid structure is NOT of God. Yet for the sake of fellowship and unity many fall right in line and start goose stepping away as they follow the ways of man right to the bitter end.
Hollow and deceptive philosophies, human traditions, and basic principals of the world, these phrases perfectly describe much of what we call “Church” in this day and age. Ton’s of bookstores peddle and sell these things every single day. People buy into this stuff hook, line and sinker all the time. And when anyone begins to denounce and challenge these evil and seductive wares, they are quickly labeled a heretic. The world’s system always seeks to protect itself.
What are we to do in an atmosphere such as this? We are to “look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27) My friends most of the modern church is neck deep in the ways and philosophies of the world. What they call Gospel is a self serving way of life that devours everything in its path, but we are supposed to deny ourselves take up our cross and follow Him daily. We are to “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
QUESTION EVERYTHING! Don’t fall in line and follow just because others have made that mistake. Be very careful of who and what you align yourself with. We are called to be FREE. So don’t allow yourself to be sucked into the methods and ways of the world just because it looks good from a distance. Pray and examine everything! There is still truth and love out there to be found. True fellowship is also out there waiting for you to find it. There are other “heretics” out there that love and follow Jesus and have avoided the world system. But remember, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
Love and ……
Kirk Out !
I concur. I think a lot of the problem lies with church ‘leaders’ who love to ‘control,’ deliberately or unconsciously. I seem to recall Frank Viola stating at a leadership conference in Chile something like this: if your leadership does not set people free, it is not true leadership.
Jesus came to serve, and thereby he led. Way to go…
Grace and peace!
Erroll.