“but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world” - I John 4:3 (NIV).
In a discussion with some people one person wondered if the whole idea of cults is overblown. "After all going back to how Christianity started all mainstream religions were once seen as cults," he mused, "until we all became main stream church."
My friend was trying to make a point that we should be gentle with those who come up differing from mainstream teachings of the church. Many of us are practicing a brand of faith that at one time caused a stir because it no longer followed the religious norms of the day. Yes, also, lest we forget, our Lord Jesus was once disowned by mainstream religious clerics. He was on the outside and considered cultic.
While all this is true, let us not forget the fact that there is indeed also something like authentic truth and we believers are not just grappling about in search of the truth. The word of God is clear: Jesus is the way, the truth and life (John 14:16).
Yes, of course there will always be differing interpretations of scriptures, as back in the days. They will yield all manner of groups and denominations. But still this does not deny there is a standard of truth which is only found in the Lord Jesus!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, I pray today that I hold firmly to the truth that is only found in you!
Related upcoming events
-
28/04/2024 - 29/04/2024 All day"The Lord is my shepherd!" (Psalm 23:1)
Psalm 23 of David is perhaps one of the best prayers ever written, with nuggets and inspirations, of benefit to us since and
ever before. “The LORD is my shepherd, “David begins.” I lack nothing” (vv 1). What is it that you lack? In his life David had started out as a shepherd, and he knew very well, that a shepherd’s job is to watch over his sheep, feed and water them, and since the Lord is our shepherd, we his sheep shall lack nothing.Verse 2 -3 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” This exactly what a good shepherd does; he takes his sheep to the best fodder, ensuring that his sheep are well fed and rested. When the sheep are restless the good shepherd is troubled. Our God desires and is pleased when we are at peace.
Sometimes we may all find ourselves going through a storm. In Verse 4- 5, David says, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The Christian life is not without difficulties, but here David points us to God as our comforter and deliverer. We always have the staff of prayer to lean on.
In Verse 5, he writes, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” In his tumultuous life, David had to battle with many enemies, ranging from King Saul, to foreigners and members of his own family. He knew a lot about betrayal. And, we too, may face enemies no less, from those that oppose us in our workplace for their ambition’s sake, to those who are not pleased because of the Gospel we preach. Yet here, just as David, we are assured that victory is on our side- this is why our cup overflows.
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (vv 6). The one who walks with God has a fresh smile ever, for God is with him. The blessings of God are with him wherever he goes.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham,
maker of heaven and earth, as David prayed in Psalm 23, may I not be troubled, for you are my shepherd ever watching over me and your goodness goes ahead of me!
