A false Christ can offer no saving peace.
Dear brothers and sisters,
yesterday we considered Paul’s warning
that savage wolves would come in among the flock.
Today we turn to the question every believer must ask
when a teacher, message, or ministry
speaks in the name of Jesus:
Is this the true Christ revealed by Paul
for us according to the Scriptures?
Good morning. Today’s Bible verse is Acts 20:30: “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
Beloved, not every messenger or message that speaks warmly of Jesus
is faithful to Jesus Christ and His ministry as
Head of the Body revealed in Scripture.
For this reason, every teacher, message,
and ministry must be tested
by the truth God has revealed for us
as members of the Body of Christ.
Even if someone speaks warmly
about Jesus of Nazareth
and calls for love and unity,
we must test the message
by the truth Jesus Christ revealed to Paul for us.
Before we join ourselves
to a teacher, message, or ministry,
we should ask these five questions:
Do they believe that Jesus Christ is fully God,
in whom all the fullness of God dwells?Do they believe that Jesus Christ is fully man,
born in human flesh and blood,
possessing true human attributes?Do they believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin,
lived as a true human being,
and yet was without sin?Do they believe that Jesus Christ literally suffered and died
on the cross for our sins,
and that His shed blood is sufficient for all,
yet received only by those
who believe the gospel of grace?Do they believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried, rose bodily
on the third day for our justification,
ascended into heaven,
and now sits
at the right hand of God in glory?
These are fundamental truths
concerning the Person
and finished work of Jesus Christ.
They are not secondary matters.
Without the true Jesus Christ,
there is no peace, and no salvation.
The gospel for today
is the gospel Paul received
and declared in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Romans 1:16,17 -
Jesus Christ shed His blood,
died for our sins,
was buried,
and rose bodily the third day
according to the Scriptures.
Our message is simple and clear:
“Salvation is by grace alone,
through faith alone,
in Christ alone.”
In these later days,
false teachers will seek to mislead many
with a counterfeit Christ.
Their message may sound gracious
and reassuring,
but it is void of the truth
God has revealed
for this present age of grace.
Beloved,
physical persecution may come,
but some of the most dangerous attacks
will come from within,
where many are drawn away
from the faith Paul delivered.
These truths concerning Jesus Christ,
the Head of the Body,
serve as a test for
every message you hear.
Learn them.
Understand them.
Hold fast to them.
They point us
to the true foundation of faith:
Jesus Christ,
our great God and Savior,
the crucified and resurrected Lord,
and the Head of the Body.
The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ac 20:30.
Meditation:
Holy Spirit - Help me test every message
by the truth of Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture
and by the gospel of grace revealed through Paul.
Reflection Question:
Am I testing every message about Jesus Christ,
the Head of the Body, by the clear testimony of Scripture
and the gospel of grace revealed through Paul?