Is there such a thing as counterfeit Christianity? Again, I will continue on this subject of false teachings. You will find that the New Movement teaching is precisely what Satan offered Jesus Christ in the wilderness. He offered Him the kingdoms of the world through a short-cut without the need of the Cross.
Later, during the ministry of Christ, Satan tried again. He tried to approach Christ through none other than the apostle Peter.
Matthew 16:21-25, From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day, he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it (NLT).
Peter wanted the kingdom at that time, which would leave no room for a cross. A dying out of self. The last thing the apostles had expected was that their Messiah had to die. But Jesus knew that a kingdom without the Cross meant a kingdom filled with people who were not saved but who were as Adam. And Jesus likewise knew that this has always been the goal of Satan since the fall of Adam – to encourage man as he is and put aside the need for repentance and the Cross.
Various aspects of the new age movement are an offer of new life – not through the death of the old – but through the preservation, exaltation, celebration, and repair of the old. Without a new spirit, there can not be a new creature, a new life, and there would be no eternal life. It is a denial of the work of the Cross. Indeed, the very definition of antichrist is Christ without the Cross – man as his own boss, happy, content, and totally deceived. Jesus’ response to Peter was clear. The bottom line is that the greatest deception of Satan is to offer us life without the Cross. He offers us a kingdom and authority without the need for us to come under God’s kingdom and authority. And today, people everywhere are falling for it.
As we look around in the various religious movements today, we have to be very careful not to allow ourselves to be involved in this type of teaching. It will take careful studying of His word and sincere prayer, rightly dividing the word of God, unto God. These movements have fashioned a way for Christian people, to try and obtain power from God, without the Cross – just receive it in the form of “the Holy Spirit” or “a second blessing”. All power to name it, claim it, and command it. Always remember, your power comes from Jesus through the Cross and you receive “the infilling of the Holy Spirit – Baptism” as a direct result of your desire to know God in a greater way for who He is, a loving Father. As we seek God for who He is and desire a greater relationship with Him; there becomes a desire to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as spoken about in Acts.
This second experience, known as the infilling of the Holy Spirit in the believer (speaking in tongues), is brought about by a desire and hunger for more of God. As we yield, surrender fully to the move and working of the Holy Spirit, with all holiness and purity, we become a holy vessel willing to be an instrument for His use and His purpose and filled with boldness to speak of His Gospel. Let me encourage you to seek God with all that is in you. Be open to the move of the Holy Spirit. As a believer, you have the righteousness of Christ. Live this life in Christ with all purity and holiness to become a vessel of honor unto God and allow the working of the Holy Spirit to flow freely in you and through you. Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you and others.
God wants to work in you and through you, so as I have said before, let God be God and do what only God can do. May God bless you in all you do!
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