Grace or License part 6

 

Conjecture is the repeating of something that someone has heard, but never researched.

 

Conjecture

The dangers of Conjecture

 

Conjecture is the repeating of something that someone has heard, but never researched.  Perhaps, this would be a good example of our series, Grace or License part 6. According to the book, Sociology in our times, sociologists have found that “people are actively shopping around for beliefs, practices, and religious communities that best suit them.  For example, in recent years some religious followers have been attracted to churches that preach the so-called prosperity gospel, which is based on the assumption that if you give your money to God, He will bless you with more money and other material possessions (such as a larger house and a luxury vehicle) that you desire” (2013, pp. 507-508).

Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with teaching prosperity whenever its usage is within the true definition of the word “prosperity”. Prosperity actually means economic growth, and stability. Churches should welcome the message of prosperity as long as it is understood that prosperity brings stability to the church. Prosperity helps churches with projecting outreach programs, missions, benevolence, ensuring the upkeep of the building as well as providing assistance to their communities.  However, in some cases there are churches who have become successful, but their focus is no longer on the Great Commission.  They also forget to walk alongside the smaller churches whose heart is evangelism. While this is only true in some instances, there are extreme cases where churches have forgotten about lost souls.

Why are people drawn to larger churches?  There are many reasons, but sometimes it is because the mega churches provide additional amenities.  In a recent study, students were instructed to discuss the effects of religion in today’s society. The students were asked to examine why some church people go to larger ministries. One suggestion was that people attend because they feel they will achieve a higher level of faith. Interestingly, the Bible talks about the beliefs of believers who will not be genuine in their faith even though they are in the church. In the last days, every church, large or small will have to be watchful because of this temptation.

 

Another suggestion was that religion may be evolving into a social gathering where people look for churches that are best suited to their lifestyle. Social status, income, and associations may play a major part in their decision. This attitude is one where image and convenience influence behavior more than conviction. Their window-shopping for a religion is like the children of Israel in the wilderness. They preferred the luxuries of Egypt to the blessing of existing under the shadow of the Almighty.  The Israelites were no longer searching for the holiness of God, but convenience, approval and familiarity.  For the Israelites to befriend that ancient Egyptian system was proof of spiritual rebellion and it led to their assimilation.

Deuteronomy 8:3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. (Deu 1:1 NLT) 8:3

Unfortunately, it seems that Israel had difficulty in understanding that God separated them unto Himself so that He could establish an eternal covenant with His chosen people. The same is true today, the chief purpose of the Word of God is God’s eternal plan of salvation through Christ.

John 6:63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  (John 6:63)

Just as in those days, doctrine of devils are enticing teachers to oppose the truth of God. The world’s standards have become the pattern for success in some beliefs. By contrast, the teachings of Christ places emphasis on salvation and the believer becomes successful when he causes an unbeliever to see the light.

These same doctrine of devils caused men to oppose Moses. Men with the ability to perform miracles attempted to sidetrack the attention away from Moses’ teachings. Satan knows that when men are awe-struck, they are easily won over.

2 Timothy 3:8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. (2Ti 3:8 NLT)

Jannes and Jambres were famous because they were driven to resist the truth.  That same spirit is attempting to influence the minds of believers today.

 ?????? Iannes {ee-an-nace’}

Meaning:  Janna = “he vexed” 1) he and Jambres, were two Egyptian magicians who in the presence of Pharaoh imitated the miracles of Aaron in order to destroy his influence with the king. The author of the epistle derived their names from the tradition of the Talmudists and the Rabbis.

 Exodus 7:11 Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic.  (Exo 7:11 NLT)

 The Book of Acts talks about men who were given special abilities from the realm of darkness to hinder the work of Paul and Barnabas. These men may have started out with just statements of conjecture. Conjecture that were statements of hearsay not meant to fight against the movement of God. However, when the crowds begin to grow and these men became popular and prosperous, perhaps they started believing that they were anointed of God. Who could resist power and popularity? This is why Jesus cautioned His disciples that unless you humble yourselves, you won’t get into Heaven. And, the Lord emphasized to His disciples that humility was the only way to understanding the truths of the Scripture.

Matthews18:3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

 ⁴ So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Mat 18:3-4 NLT)

Job, David, and Solomon were all men who were blessed because they served God. But, when Solomon began to build temples to idols he entered into a life of spiritual poverty. Solomon misunderstood that Satan can present a pseudo-prosperity.  Satan’s kingdom of darkness is entirely dedicated to obscuring the message of salvation. He even tried to solicit Jesus Christ to accept his gospel of high society, wealth and health.  Instead, Christ chose humility (Luke 4:1).

 

Act 13:8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

Act 8:9 A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great.

 Act 13:7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God.

Act 18:12 But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. 

1Ti 6:5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

Christianity is the life of God animated through the lives of the believer. The sovereignty of God may lead each of us in different paths of life but, at the end of the day; people should see God and not us.  It is vitally important that the message of salvation is heard in at least two ways: 1) through the believer’s life and 2) through public teachings of Godly truth as we “follow hard after God” in seeking His will.

 

Tit 1:16 Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are perpetuating Grace or License, part 6.