Laboring In Vain

"...how is it that you are running back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you" (Galatians 4:9b-11).

You can hear the sadness  and fear in Paul's voice as you read those verses. In the next verse he says "I plead with you,..." The grass looks so much greener on the other side. Probably it is because the grass is growing over a cesspool, or maybe you just need to fertilize your/mine own lawn. 

Children need proper instruction early in life, and it is so with early believers (sometimes even us "mature" Christians) need to be set on the proper path with correct teaching. When Paul wrote to the church in Colossae he was refuting a doctrinal heresy that was creeping into the church. Apparently a mixture of Judaism and Gnosticism, (possibly the Ebionites) leading them away from sound doctrine given to them by Paul to a works oriented salvation.  We have this same problem in our churches today. There are those who teach as "Christians" that Jesus is nothing more than an angel, and forms of mysticism (called Levicto Divina; and Spiritual Formation, the Emerging Church, etc) leading Christians away from the focus of the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

Even today, new cults claiming to be Christian yet deny the deity of Christ and the basic doctrines of Christianity. Prosperity theology, focus upon development of one's persona, it's all about me theology. These and many more are probing their way into mainstream Christianity.  Speaking of the "End Times", Jesus makes this statement in His Olivet Sermon: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of wickedness the love of most will grow cold" (Matthew 24: 10-11).

How do we guard against this from happening to us and within our Church?  First, read God's Word daily, allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His Word. Take notes during the sermon and check out anything that does not sound correct (you might have the wrong theology or the pastor may be teaching in error).  We have the Bible, the Colossians did not. Remember this fact, it is the context that determines the meaning.  Get into a good reliable Bible Study. Avoid any teaching that is outside of sound Biblical Doctrine even if the visiting teacher is popular. We hold in our hands the word of God which is able to save.  Therefore, we as Christ's ambassador we take this seriously. 

Do not be in fear! Test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) The Bible is exciting and as the Holy Spirit reveals to you God's word and plan for you and for the world a joy to your life that will shine out to others enabling you to be the witness God wants of you.  Think of it! God trusts you and me with His Message!

Daily Prayer:

Thank you Father for sending Jesus to save us.  Thank you for your written word that teaches me about You.  Guide me as I study Holy Spirit, alarm me when I stray from Your Truth. May my life so shine that my world will see Jesus and see the need to accept Him as their Savior.  Thank You for entrusting me with this commission.                                           Amen