“What has bewitched you?”

If you are anything like me, there are times when God through the Holy Spirit puts a specific theme in your heart. It is a compulsion to share the Good News of Jesus Christ about a specific topic. For me that topic is “Apostasy”. That is a word that we generally don’t use in our everyday Christian-ease language or even our everyday language. Apostasy is described and defined as:

• A falling away or abandoning of the faith
• Deserting of a loyalty to God
• Departure from the belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior
• A leaving of the church or a lukewarm service to it

The one thing about apostasy that makes it so devastating is that it generally happens very subtly to the person that is in its grips. Galatians 3:1 (KJV) asks a question that infers apostasy’s grip as Apostle Paul asks, “… who hath bewitched you that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?”

Per Apostle Paul, the Christians at Galatia were aware of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross in obedience to God. It was the sacrifice of Jesus that brought about forgiveness of sin, salvation, and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ alone. So, Paul uses a question to reprove (gently correct) the Galatian Christians for departing from faith in Christ.

The Galatian Christians were moving away from the faith and had begun to reject it for other philosophies and beliefs. So, Apostle Paul questioned why the Galatians were not obeying what was the truth about and of Jesus Christ. What had changed their minds and hearts or as it is stated, “What had bewitched (captivated or fascinated) them?”

This is the same question that is reproving us today. What has captivated or caught our fascination such that now we aren’t loyal to what we once believed in and believed about Jesus Christ.

Let’s examine the theme, “What has bewitched you?”

Theme: “What has bewitched you?”

¹O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Reflection: 

Most people would strongly reject the notion that they had been “bewitched”. The use of that terminology is arcane, old fashion, and outdated for our modern, rational, and technology-driven society. The term bewitched hints that someone is under a spell, curse or some type of magical control. Certainly nothing like that happens in the 21^st century! Well perhaps yes and perhaps no…

But, what we can document with evidence is what is known as “Syncretism” which is the mixing of other beliefs and philosophies with Christianity to obtain a more convenient truth to live by.

Syncretism is the combination of different forms of beliefs and philosophies which is evidenced by the following derailing movements within Christianity:

• “Jesus as Savior, but Not Lord”
• “All Religions serve the Same God”
• “There are Many Paths to God — Just Choose the one that Fits your needs”

Each of these movements is just that — a way to move you away from the truth of Jesus Christ.

Adrian Rogers, evangelist and radio broadcaster states, “If Jesus is not your Lord, then Jesus is not your Savior. You don’t pick and choose what you want of Jesus. There are a lot of people who think they are doing God a wild favor by accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior so they can have a little fire insurance and not go to hell. Jesus is Savior and He does save, but we cannot have what He gives unless we receive who He is. He is Lord!” *

In terms of all religions, Christianity affirms the doctrine of the Trinity which is the teaching that in the one God are three distinct persons–not three gods. In other words, the one God exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is a uniquely Christian teaching, and this is a critical difference dealing with the nature of God. He is either triune (Christianity), or he is not triune (Judaism, Islam). Logically speaking, God cannot be both a Trinity and also not a Trinity at the same time. In addition, Jesus cannot be both God in flesh (second person of the Trinity) and also not God in flesh. Therefore, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam do not believe in nor worship the same God. **

Lastly, John 14:6 (KJV) states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” In this scripture, Jesus uses a definitive article (“the”) in describing the path and direction to God; the reliability of His promises; and the eternal life offered by God. So, there is only one way to God and it is through Jesus Christ.

So, be aware and on guard that you don’t fall away from the faith. It is subtle, trendy, and deceiving, and it leads to destruction.

Amen!

Ref:

*See: See: http://www.lwf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=aboutus

**See: https://carm.org/do-christians-muslims-jews-worship-same-god

“It’s Not About You”

Most people would agree that they want the very best for themselves. This desire challenges us to work hard, study long hours, and do everything within our power to be the best so that we can attain the very best of everything. But, truth being told, in a lot of instances, we really don’t know what is the best thing for ourselves. We judge what is best by what the world says is best.

That was the predicament, Martha found herself in when Jesus came to visit her household. Martha wanted the very best, not necessarily for Jesus, but what was the very best for her. It was all about Martha. Martha wanted to be known as a celebrated gracious hostess and a great cook. She wanted to be known for an immaculately clean house with everything in order. Martha had high expectations of how she would be viewed after Jesus’ visit.

But, exactly the opposite happened. Martha planned to have her sister, Mary, help her with all the preparations. But, Mary did not share in the same expectations as Martha. Mary had no pretense of being the best cook, having the cleanest house, or winning a “Miss Hospitality” award. Mary just wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to him talk. It was enough for Mary just to be in Jesus’ presence.

According to Martha, Mary was not doing her part. So, conflict arose. Let’s see what happened, as we examine, “It’s Not About You”.

Theme: “It’s Not About You”

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:38-42(NIV)

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

Reflection:

Mary strived for the best. She would go to any length to ensure she had everything just right as Jesus came to visit. But, when things did not turn out her way, she became critical and bitter and went to Jesus to complain. Martha’s complaint was not a general “I’m having a bad day” complaint, but was focused specifically on her sister.

First, Martha tried to guilt Jesus by saying, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” Then, Martha tried to persuade Jesus with a manipulative emotional plea by saying to Jesus, “Tell her to help me!”

But, much to Martha’s surprise, Jesus did not react to Martha’s attempts to shift blame on Mary, project guilt on him, and make an emotional desperate outcry. Jesus supported Mary and her desire to simply sit at his feet and listen to him talk.

• Remember, it was Jesus that fed 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. So, Jesus was certainly not concerned about having enough food. Jesus could multiply whatever food Martha had at her home to feed himself and others. (See Luke 9 :10 – 17)
• Remember, when Jesus was talking with the Samaritan woman at the well, he said his food was to do the will of God who sent him and to finish God’s work See John 4:1-35).

Jesus wanted to just spend time sharing with and witnessing to Martha’s household. Jesus basically said to Martha, “It’s Not About You”. “Mary is doing her part which is simply to spend time with me”.

So, in the church when you feel yourself getting all worked up because your sister or brother in Christ are not meeting your expectations, just relax and know the reason you are at church is to spend time with Jesus our Lord. It’s not an opportunity to make a name for yourself. It’s not a time to be impressive. It’s not a time to find fault in others. It’s your opportunity to simply enjoy the fellowship of Jesus.

Amen!

“Can You Tell The Difference?”

The Prophet Isaiah in the book of Isaiah 5:20 states, “Woe” about three things that will occur. A “woe” is an intense expression of warning about great distress, grief, or calamity that is coming. In Isaiah’s prophecy of upcoming distress the three items to be warned about were a diversity of opposites. This is seen in the exchange of evil and good; darkness and light; and bitter and sweet. The exchange demonstrates a contrast in recognition of behavior, perspective, and emotion.

In other words, there will be confusion about “reality”. When reality is confused it is an indication that perversion or a distortion has occurred. Because of this distortion the Prophet Isaiah gives a warning so that we can be prepared to know the difference. Let’s take a look to see if you can tell the difference between what is real and what is distortion.

 

Theme:“Can You Tell The Difference?”

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 5:20 (NIV)

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”

 

Reflection:

When I look at the news or talk to others it is apparent that distortion is all around us. What was up is now down, and what was down is now up. What was good is now considered bad, and what was bad is now considered good. What was right is now viewed as wrong, and what was wrong is now viewed as right. You might ask, “How did such an upheaval occur?”

Well, there is a saying, “When sin is assimilated and not annihilated in our life; it is eventually absorbed. The result of absorbing sin is that after a while we have an amalgamation of a worldview of acceptable sin”.

Simply said, as we support sin by ignoring it, it becomes part of our everyday lives and before we know it, sin has become normal to us and we not only accept it we give approval to it. So, the Prophet Isaiah said, “woe unto you”. Can you tell the difference between evil and good, darkness and light, bitter and sweet, and right and wrong – think about it, reflect on it, pray about it?

Amen!