“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.” James1.16 ESV
Now there are difficulties for each generation facing the deception of the prince of darkness working in the sons of disobedience. One, which appears common to all, would be demonic efforts to deceive us about our own obedience. It has proven easy for our enemy to focus our energies on Christian beliefs and lead us to neglect Christian practices and at times, vice-versa. But one modern day prophet has challenged the church by stating that many of us think we are Christians because we believe “the right stuff,” when we should be concerned about how we are living and loving. Are we right to believe that someone is more a Christian because they believe in the virgin birth but they do not seek justice for the poor or open their home to strangers? I am not sure this would pass the test of Jesus found in Matt. 25. There is no doubt that the issue at judgment will ultimately take into account both our beliefs and practices. Faith without works is dead and so works without faith is pride. Any teaching that lulls us to neglect one over the other serves the deceitful spirits of this passing age. All of us need to consider with equal measure the soundness our beliefs and the seriousness of living and loving others. To be continued
Just me trying to be honest with God.
