The Peril of False Converts and False Brethren
And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in who came in by stealth
False Brethren
And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage),
~ Galatians 2:4
An exhortation by Pastor Dr. Ninyo Omidiji
Many who came to know the Lord under the false gospel, popularly called the "prosperity gospel" are false converts. If you answered an altar call after you had been told that Jesus will move you from being a tenant in one bedroom to owning a mansion, the truth is that you never heard the gospel. I'm afraid your conversion was false.
If you joined the church because you were told that all your life's problems will go up in smoke, then you came for the wrong reason. You are a false convert.
If you joined a church because of the glamour and glitz oozing out from there, you are a false convert, even if you eventually grew through the ranks to become a leader there. Nowadays, many tend to join the "faith" because they think it's the next big thing in town; the rave of the moment. They are false brethren. Check Galatians 2:4 and you'd see there's such nomenclature as "false brethren".Β
Nowadays, many tend to join the "faith" because they think it's the next big thing in town; the rave of the moment. They are false brethren. Check Galatians 2:4 and you'd see there's such nomenclature as "false brethren".Β
False brethren have all the demeanor or appearances of brethren but they have been produced in the crucible of false teachings. False brethren want bread. That's all. That's what they came for. If you tell them that Jesus was not sent to the world to give them food, they kick. They think you want to take their faith from them. That is all the faith that they have got. Some even think you are outright blasphemous. It's not entirely their fault. Those who introduced the church to them did not actually introduce Christ to them. What they did was to dangle carrots π₯ before them "in the name of Christ Jesus"
26 Jesus answered them and said, βMost assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.β
28 Then they said to Him, βWhat shall we do, that we may work the works of God?β
29 Jesus answered and said to them, βThis is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.β
John 6:26-2935 And Jesus said to them, βI am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
John 6:3540 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.β
John 6:40
From John 6:22 to the end, Jesus set off the crowds of disciples that followed him when he said he knew they only sought him for bread but that He didn't come to give it. He was unequivocal. He said he came to give them a different kind of bread: he called it eternal life. He said, "I am the bread of life". After that engagement, the people that were once called disciples deserted him in large numbers. They were offended. They were false disciples. They were under the wrong impression when they followed Him.Β
The same is applicable today. Many churchgoers think the Christian faith is about the miracles of bread. They believe that was what Christ came to give. Tell them about eternal life and how this is what is guaranteed through Christ Jesus and they will consider you a blasphemer. To them, eternal life is unsure in Christ but miracles are sure. This is actually a reversal of the truth.
In Christ Jesus, eternal life is guaranteed. This is the gospel. If you don't have this assurance yet, there is a problem. If you are truly in Christ, you will have this assurance. This is the crux of the Christian faith. I reiterate. In Christ Jesus, eternal life is guaranteed. You are not going to have it when you die. You already have it.
I also reiterate the other position. God did not send Christ primarily to give us bread. No! But that does not mean God won't give us bread if we ask. God gives to all, whether you are Christian or not. Whether you believe in the salvation work of Christ or not, God will still give you bread. You can still experience miracles. Even if you claim to be an atheist and curse God every day, he will still give you bread. It is for the same reason He makes His rain fall on both good and evil. However, outside faith in Christ, there's no eternal life. This is the gospel. This is the message we have been trying to pass across.
I hope this helps someone...
It is a new day!
Source: Β©Pasto Dr. Ninyo Omidiji shared this message on Facebook. I hope you find it enlightening and spiritually uplifting as I did.
Thank you for reading. Connect with me on Discord or Reddit to share your insights.
Very true.