Bizarro Christianity—It’s Much Worse Than You Think (Part 2)

         Regarding Unreal Christianity and the identification of its various elements, I decided when I first started writing on the subject that I would not name names. 

         For one thing, there are far too many names. For another, unless one names all, it appears one may be singling out some and not mentioning others. Such an approach could portray a possible bias or improper agenda. Also, we don’t want to fall into the trap of picking the splinter out of our brother’s eye while having a tree trunk stuck in our own.

         It is therefore my position that, like anything else, we must each figure it out for ourselves through the Lord’s leading—the Word of God reveals truth—and draw our own conclusions. Otherwise, we run the risk of being uninformed, a willing dupe, or the victim of religious dogma.

         The reasoning here is simple and straightforward—we will each face the Lord alone as self-governing individuals at the judgment, so it’s best to live as self-governing individuals in this life. This is exactly what being a disciple of the Lord entails.

         Like a complex, drawn-out math problem, we must all understand how we arrived at a particular answer and doctrinal position instead of simply parroting a response, robot-like, and end up believing a sanctioned, authoritative conclusion possibly unsupported by actual fact. If not, we may possess a religious conviction based on prejudice, false assumptions, or cultural preconceived notions.

         So even though I don’t name names, it should not be all that difficult to identify the pretenders and their groups once a disciple gains a complete, pure, and impartial knowledge of the Lord’s teachings, and a mature understanding of His Word. Unlike in His time, when the religious shysters were relatively easy to recognize (and the Lord did identify groups), it is much different at present. There are quantum scads of Christian groups, denominations, and cults, major and minor, and they all claim legitimacy. Yet their doctrines often contradict one another. They cannot all be right, but it’s possible they can all be wrong.

         Regardless of my position, however, many ministries and individuals do name names, and this might or might not be what the Lord desires. I therefore do not necessarily fault those who do, as it may be by the Lord’s will.

         I do admonish each and every one of us, however, to start checking up on things and getting informed, or staying informed, even more than we have been, because the level of deception is rising rapidly like a rocket up the right side of an exponential curve.

         Inform yourself. Read and study. You will be amazed at what you find. It is often shocking. Remember what happened in the late 1980’s with all the Christian scandals? It is much worse than that. There is no comparison. Currently, a far-reaching, behind-the-scenes skullduggery, a plot designed to both deceive and control, has infiltrated many Christian circles, impacting the salvation of souls. It has slimed its way in largely unnoticed by millions.

         This present wave, like all the others over the last two millennia, has effectively established yet another fake Christian subculture. Its unique thought bomb, detonated high in the atmosphere, has resulted in still more radioactive fallout spreading over the landscape, infecting who it may. Consider this article yet another warning.

          Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

          For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. [Jude 1:3-4 KJV]

         The establishment of false forms of Christianity, contrary gospels, and acceptance of a “sin in the camp” immorality, deceptively portrayed as “God-approved,” have happened because Christians in general got lazy, ignorant, and complacent.  Christians traditionally have been conditioned to obey their authority figures and never question them, even though such a thing is demonic and not at all Biblical. It’s a clear form of idolatry.

         As a result, some real Christians became weak and Unreal Christians established a major beachhead of unbelief and disobedience. They did not stay STRONG and AWARE of the enemy. Instead of following the Lord they took a pass, laid down, and chose to hire hirelings and pay them to do their work, many of whom fled spiritually when the wolves showed up.

         Currently, such people are a many times worse. Now, if a believer were to express clear Biblical teachings he will often be shot down by such “Christians” who claim the Lord’s teachings are wrong, while their completely unsupportable false doctrines are perceived as correct. Most of the time though, they just close their minds and continue to be led blindly down the path by their chosen blind and diabolical leaders who look exactly like sheep, but are actually wolves in sheep’s clothing. Sound familiar?

         False content has also invaded your friendly neighborhood Christian bookstore. Many books are not even Christian. They appear to be Christian. They may be Christian on the surface. But books that are purely Christian simply do not sell so well. If you don’t think this is true I challenge you to research this on your own. You will then understand why the real Christians in this country are getting the Word out without a profit motive.

         Many Christian bookstores have been taken over by corporate interests with a money mentality, instead of a Godly motive and purely spiritual initiative. The priority is monetary profit (mammon). Real Christians, conversely, are engaging in ministry for free because it is the only way it can be done properly and effectively, without the compromises based on the pursuit of profit or the seeking and/or protecting of one’s income. Ministering for free is how it was done by the Lord and the originals:

          “Freely you received, freely give.” [Matthew 10:8]

         But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” [Acts 3:6]

         “I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me.” [Acts 20:33-34]

          Incidentally, the reason I attempt to sell a few books is so I can spend more time writing and sharing what the Lord is giving me, and less time working for money. So far, that has not worked out so well. I have given many books away but have learned that most people who get a free book do not read it. We are more likely to read it if we invest in it. I would have been financially better off by never making my work available, but I am compelled to share what I receive. Thus, I have two fulltime jobs. One is doing the work the Lord has called me to do and the other is earning money so I can do the work the Lord has called me to do.

         Rather than take donations, I prefer to offer a commodity. I have put in decades of research and work into my books and writings and am currently offering a 330 page book filled with exactly what some need at this time for low cost. I have made it as easily available as possible. Thanks to those of you who have read the book and read my articles. I hope they’re a blessing.

         But if I wrote some watered-down stuff and got seriously promoted I would most likely do much better financially. Several best-selling “Christian” books have sold millions recently and have been proven to contain anti-Biblical content, some of it incredibly obvious. This proves my point that many Christians are easily manipulated into untruth and most don’t even know they have been deceived. This is why major promoters don’t want the truth. Neither do any of the major “Christian” institutions.

          It’s not necessarily that they can’t handle the truth; it’s that the truth in general does not sell, nor does it fill pews with the necessary backsides and tithe money.

         Perhaps this is why the Lord only managed to gather a mere 120 people for the original Upper Room Experience.

         Keep in mind, the Lord Jesus was not some podunk rambling rabbi, but GOD. He had preached to tens of thousands at a time. He did every major miracle you can imagine, preached powerfully, taught a perfect and pure message, and then, amazingly, offered Himself up as a perfect sacrifice on our behalf, and ROSE FROM THE DEAD.

         AND HE STILL ONLY MANAGED TO CONVINCE A MERE 120 PEOPLE TO GO TO THE UPPER ROOM FOR TEN DAYS AND AWAIT PENTECOST!

         That’s astonishing, especially in light of today’s easy-believism.

         Today’s marketers could get 120 in five minutes. Many of today’s churches could gather 120 anytime they felt like it, no matter how non-Biblical they are.

         But 120 of one is in no way comparable to 120 of another. The Lord’s 120 were solid as a rock, just like Him. They were willing to do anything and follow Him anywhere, which they did. They served as a solid nucleus for a growing community that had the truth and kept it, had the power of God and used it, and had the love of God and expressed it.

          THEY TURNED THE ENTIRE BLASTED HEATHEN WORLD UPSIDE DOWN! THEY OVERCAME MURDEROUS AND HOSTILE RELIGIOUS HATERS AND THE WORST AND MOST BRUTAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAD EVER EXISTED ON THE PLANET! THEIR ORIGINAL TINY KINGDOM, WITH NONE OF THE NATURAL ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR KINGDOM BUILDING, OVERCAME THE ROMAN EMPIRE!

          Most “Christians” in America can’t even overcome themselves.

          Even so, real Christians in America number in the millions. The fact that George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four bizarro world has not arrived completely is due to their presence. The antichrist spirit hates them with a passion. They are the salt and light that keeps him from taking over completely. For these real Christians, no fight is too hard or too impossible. They know they fight alongside the King of kings. They will not be dismayed or defeated. Kill one and a hundred more spring up. They always rise to the occasion. They can do ALL things through Messiah who strengthens them. And they do it with a smile and a good attitude with love in their hearts.

          So even though things are worse than we think, THEY ARE ALSO BETTER THAN WE THINK. It is because the Lord Jesus is in charge. It is because He has created a giant worldwide community of people with each individual just like Him in some way, and the entire community pretty much exactly like Him overall.

          If others want to join hands with the enemy, compromise the Word, and love money to the point of rejecting the Lord though insisting they have not, they can do what they want and be as deceived as they want. But unless you identify them and stand against them you may be deceived as well.

          The mark of a real Christian is standing up for the Lord Jesus no matter the cost, being willing to fight the enemy no matter the level of battle, and submit your reputations to be trashed by ignorant and deceived people while not lashing back with reciprocal hate but returning spiritual love.

          Many years ago the first pastor I had made a statement I will never forget. He said he had people come up to him and say they loved him, but might as well of said they hated him because it was obvious such hate was in their heart and on their outward expression. Unreal Christians are notorious for this. It’s called being two-faced. It’s the mark of duplicity. It’s acting one way in one’s presence and ripping him or her to shreds behind their back. It is a total violation of the Lord’s love and teachings.

          In the end, the good and bad will be completely separated, but the point must be made that this will not happen automatically at His arrival. The separation of light and darkness has actually been taking place for 2000 years and will culminate at the end when the Lord returns for a spotless community of love with total honor for Him. In the meantime, one better choose the right side with all their heart or one will end up on the wrong side, most likely with a deceived and divided heart.

          “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

          “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.” [Matthew 7:24-27] [1]

          © 2014 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.

---

[1] Unless otherwise noted all Scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.