counterfeit

I believe that the Gospel of Christ is simple. It’s straight forward, easily understood and doesn’t present much in the way in deep logical hurdles that would prevent most people from a perfunctory understanding their role in accepting Christ as Savior.
I also believe that the Word of God as a whole, as well as the simplistic Gospel provides the most esoteric philosophical enticements for those who like to dive deep into the mind of God. You may have heard loquacious pastors deliver a riveting sermon with alliterating points and think to yourself – Do I need to understand the power, proficiency and prevenient Grace of God in order to make sense of propitiation?
Clever points with insightful delivery for sure, but absolutely necessary? Probably not. However, no matter how many messages you’ve heard preached, it is The Holy Spirit that reveals truth and it’s good to keep a watchful eye on the messages you hear to validate that you are taking in TRUTH as presented by the word of God. There are counterfeits.

I say that to say this.

The Bible talks about 2 types of wisdom; earthly wisdom and wisdom from above. One is genuine, the other is counterfiet.

Here’s The Word;

James 3: 13 – 18 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Here’s a thought I had the other day –

1 John 2:15 - 17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

When I read past that common phraseology – lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life, I thought. These 3 things are the counterfeits. If these things really are counterfeits, what are they seeking to replace?

I believe that God’s Word repeatedly offers these three genuine “righteous” provisions

Instead of fleshly lusts, God offers life.
Insatiable, selfish desires don’t produce or help at all with growing godliness. Money and sex are the biggies in this category but there are more subliminal expressions that are just as problematic. They spread weakness but are disguised as blessings; strength and prosperity.

Instead of wanton eyes, God offers health.
In our worldly sinfulness, we go after what we see and more often than not, we compromise or hurt ourselves and produce so much regret, pain and sorrow. The sufficiency in God’s provision may not give you everything you want, but contentment with godliness is great gain (1 Tim 6:6).

Instead of the pride, God offers peace.
It’s not just that ‘All have sinned’. It’s that all seek to sin. Just as Adam and Eve sought to ADD to themselves in direct defiance to God’s instruction, it’s this very fight we all deal with. We want to be more and we want it when we decide. When we reflect back on being delivered from certain besetting sins; we may be greatful, but we’re never far from the memory that it took God’s power to allow us to resist. The power to truly resist sin doesn’t come from within us. Christianity doesn’t make us strong, it makes us submit so it’s God’s power that gets all of the glory.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 3 John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The Gospel of Christ is simple - its the power of salvation to all who will believe. The Word of God can be insightful, informative and intriguing. It also needs to be handled with strict care when creatively expounding on Biblical messages. Beware of counterfeits and more than just clever talking points, let the word of God deliver you from sin into life, health and peace.


In Him,
Cros