A Counterfeit Gospel

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 21

Gold Nugget

Verse 27: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!”

Commentary

Over the years, some churches have seen significant growth. Many have found these American churches attractive. In reality, the truth of the Gospel is not attractive at all to the natural man. The scriptures teach us that our nature does not desire the things of God. We are self-centered people that have to be regenerated. We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). So what of this  “christianity” has become attractive to the world? Well, it isn’t really Christianity that has become attractive as much as “christianity” in name only. There has been a growth of “flesh-centered christianity” over the past several decadesy. The “flesh-centered christianity” that has found an audience is one that actually appeals to this sinful nature of man. This is a conterfeit christianity that makes it okay to love yourself, money, walk in pride instead of humility and bring glory to yourself. Doesn’t that appeal to the sinful nature in man? Of course it does and that is what's happened. An overwhelming percentage of American churches teach me that giving my money away to your ministry will guarantee me a great financial return. My natural man will find that very attractive. If you can convince me that putting a hundred dollar bill in your pocket will guarantee me a thousand dollars will appear in mine, I am going to put one in each of your pockets, one in each hand and stick one in each of your ears.

This kind of self-centered Christianity doesn’t require any love from me to you. Matter of fact it won’t even require any love from you to me. That describes much of American “christianity” and it is very attractive to the sinful man. The challenge is convincing them people to give even after God has not honored their giving and given them a hundred fold. It has not returned any blessing because “the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination”. As the first part of today’s “gold nugget” says, “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination.”  The second half says, “how much more when he brings it with wicked intent!”  So it is bad enough that a wicked person gives a “gift”, but how much worse is it that he has evil intentions with it. He gives his gift for his own desire for personal gain. Like the guy that buys the hungry man food, because he knows the hungry man is about to receive a hefty inheritance. When we give, whether to the church, a ministry or any cause, we remove ourselves from the biblical reward if we give because of selfish reasons.

Prayer

Lord, we know that there is a counterfeit gospel out there that has found a real audience. Help those of us that have refused this doctrine of man to be bold enough to counter the counterfeit by presenting the authentic Gospel that cannot be denied.  A good reflection of the true Gospel will expose the counterfeit. Amen

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