Don't be gullible

A Puerto Rican man, Jose Luis De Jesus Miranda, 60, claims that Christ 'integrated' with him, that he is now the Living Lord on earth. So, big deal, right? Tragically, due to mental illness, there are a lot of people who suffer from religious delusions. But De Jesus is calculating, showing no apparent signs of delusions. He was raised a Roman Catholic, spent time in Pentecostal churches, and aligned himself with Baptist churches - all that before claiming to be the Lord. He is now using the title "Anti-Christ" because he says his teaching supersedes that of Jesus Christ! According to Newsweek, (2/5,2007 issue) despite his outlandish claims, at least 300 local churches (30 here in the USA, more in South America) and thousands of people follow his teaching, accept his bizarre claims, and give $millions to him. Even more amazing to me is the fact that many of his followers are drawn from evangelical and/or charismatic churches, Christians who should know better than to swallow his lies, but they are gullible!

Why? Many people want spirituality so badly, and at so little cost, that they will believe almost anything if someone promises them security, easy victory over sinful habits, or power to 'change' their lives! We all know that life is complex, problems are multiple, and suffering is ubiquitous. In that world comes a man who is articulate, charming, who knows how to tap into those deep longings for security and hope, yes, even to know God. He offers those who follow him a sense of purpose and place, appears serene, projects authority. And, with little discernment of his true motives, many are quite willing to follow him. De Jesus is not the first false Christ. It happens too often. Remember David Koresh and Jim Jones? They gathered followings and led their flocks to death! Too often people allow themselves to be gullible and follow a spiritual teacher without really knowing a thing about his character or even if he has a solid Biblical knowledge on which he bases his assertions. Quacks, charlatans, and frauds feed off of the universal longing for a utopia, often preying on those who are vulnerable because of family dysfunction, severe illness, or other situations that have ripped apart their lives.

I'm sure a few of you are wondering, "Jerry, isn't there hope for a new life through Christ? Don't you believe that God meets our needs and cares for us?"
I sure do, but not with quick fixes, simple slogans to answer tough questions, or through a Puerto Rican preacher who claims to be Jesus in the flesh today.

If we want to enter the Kingdom of God (to live in a way that God is in charge of our lives and cares for us) we do so by faith and obedience - steadily - and in community with other people who are pursuing Him with earnest love and devotion. Day after day, we confront sin in our lives and, taught by the Word, counseled by other Believers, and led by the Spirit we overcome, becoming holy as we are being filled with the Spirit of God. The Scripture demands that we "continue to work out our salvation, with reverence and awe...." A godly life, characterized by the evidence of the life of the Spirit, is a process, a costly one!

The Psalmist cautions against seeking quick fixes and easy solutions. He urges a consistent spiritual discipline and a wise choice of teachers. That is the way to find a rich life, he says.
"Blessed (living in a state of joy) is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish." (Psalm 1, NKJV)

Did you take note of how the Word of God characterizes these two ways of living?
Those who pursue God through consistent practice of spiritual disciplines are like TREES! Can you think of a better picture of something living that is strong and stable?
Those who are godless are like CHAFF, the hulls of grain that are worthless and without substance!

Want a spiritually fruitful life?

Dig deep, dear friend. Don't run here and there looking for the latest and greatest Bible teacher, the newest worship sound, or the church with the glitzy programs. Make your church great by becoming a true servant. Forget becoming mature in the things of God if you are unwilling to go through testing and trials that develop that maturity and faith. Build friendships with people who bring out the best in you, who hunger for God in the same way that you hunger for Him, then walk through life together! Don't pursue rewards, seek significance. And, don't be gullible.

Be like the Believers of Berean who are lauded by Luke because - "They searched the Scriptures day after day to check up on Paul and Silas, to see if they were really teaching the truth." (Acts 17:11, NLT)