Choosing a Good Bible-Based Church or Place of Fellowship I (The False Christs)

Reflection: Matthew 24:24, 1 John 4:1

Stay away from churches or assemblies where the leaders seem to be doing exploits – miracles and such, but never attribute them to the One and Only True God. Such are growing by leaps and bounds these days. They can say to you, "Arise from your sick bed", and you will indeed arise. They can also say to you, "That job is yours", and a few days later, you are sitting on an executive chair. The problem with these blessings is that they are temporary. Not just that – such blessings are bound to lead those who accept them to the path of destruction, because they are carefully packaged from the kingdom of darkness. All good and perfect things come from the Only True God; He adds no sorrow to His blessings (James 1:17, Proverbs 10:22).

It is true that Jesus Christ said we shall do greater things than He did (John 14:12) – He was only here for 33 years; but He never said we would do them through other spiritual forces. He said, "Without Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). It is through Him that a true believer does exploits (Philippians 4:13). We do them in His Name. The force that strengthens these so-called miracle workers, however, is satan - a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), who is an expert at creating counterfeit blessings. Whatever satan offers is not only temporary; it also comes at a high cost. These blessings could cost a person who accepts them their life, or that of a loved one; their peace, joy, health, and other things of value that cannot be recovered except God intervenes.

Believers in Christ are meant to do exploits for God. Some of us have also been empowered to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons, and more (Mark 16:17-18, Matthew 10:8, John 14:12). But what goes on in some of these churches and assemblies?

(1) The leaders do not acknowledge the One and Only True God as the source of their strength, and the One who performed the miracles.

(2) They rarely make out time to talk about sin, the need for repentance, the importance of salvation, Christ Jesus, His Saving Power, and His Coming-Soon. They are mostly all about prophecies, acquisition of wealth, miracles, and more miracles.

(3) They make you believe there is something supernatural about them beyond what we all hear about chosen men and women of God.

(4) Some also directly or indirectly demand to be worshipped, claiming to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, the saviour of the world, or the second coming of Christ. When I was a young girl, this Jesus existed in my country of descent. They called him Jesus of Oyingbo (Jesu Oyingbo). What came to my mind, even as a young girl, was that the Jesus Christ I read about in the Bible was meek, lowly in heart, loving, and went about doing good; but this Jesus was ruthless, had an insatiable thirst for wealth and women, and was often in the news for the wrong reasons. Even at a young age, I knew nothing about the man people foolishly worshipped and called Jesus was Christ-like, for the primary reason that he taught the most appalling doctrine to lure innocent souls to his fold. We all know the source of his power by now, from the little I have shared about him. This was just one man then in my country of descent, but there were others like that in other nations - Haile Selassie (who was proclaimed to be the Messiah) for a very good example, and many in these last days (Luke 17:23, Matthew 24:23). 

There is only One Christ and Saviour (not two or more), who is worthy to receive Glory, Honour, and Power. He is Jesus Christ of Nazareth: The Holy One of Israel, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah, The Hope of Glory, The KING of kings, and The LORD of lords. May we be guided.

Shalom!

Deborah O Daniel (Toyin)