The Danger of Apostasy
"But I have a few things against you: You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam." - Revelation 2:14
Are you holding fast to the Word of God and living a life that aligns with your professed faith? This is something Jesus addresses in Revelation when talking to the church at Pergamum.
He says, “You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam.” Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, led Israel into sin through false doctrine and sexual immorality. In Pergamum, there were individuals promoting similar false teachings. Jesus makes it clear: “What you’re believing to be true… is demonic… and false and wrong. Now, it may be socially acceptable… it may be culturally relevant… but those beliefs are unacceptable in the eyes of God!”
This warning is crucial for us today. Our society often promotes beliefs and values that contradict God’s Word. We must be discerning and steadfast, ensuring that our beliefs align with biblical truth, not cultural trends. False doctrine can lead us away from God and into spiritual danger.
Jesus also critiques their behavior, specifically referencing sexual sin. He condemns fornication (sexual relationships outside of marriage) and adultery (unfaithfulness to marriage vows). He declares, “Sexual sin is totally unacceptable for my people and it’s totally unacceptable in the eyes of God.” This condemnation extends to any behavior that contradicts God’s standards.
This brings us to the concept of apostasy. Apostasy refers to someone who claims to profess faith but doesn’t practice that faith. It’s someone who identifies as a Christian but lives in a way that contradicts the teachings of the Bible. Jesus calls out the church at Pergamum for this very issue. They were wearing the badge of Christianity but living in open rebellion against God.
This is a sobering reminder for us today. We must examine our lives and ensure that our actions reflect our professed faith. It’s easy to claim the title of a Christian, but our lives must demonstrate our commitment to Christ. Apostasy happens when we desire sin more than we desire Jesus.
Why does this happen? Because we’re still enticed by sin. Living an apostate life occurs when we prioritize our sinful desires over our relationship with Jesus. It’s a dangerous path that leads us away from God and into spiritual destruction.
We must guard against this by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and continually seeking to align our lives with God’s standards. Jesus calls us to live lives of holiness and faithfulness, rejecting false beliefs and sinful behavior.
Are you holding fast to the Word of God and living a life that aligns with your professed faith? This is something Jesus addresses in Revelation when talking to the church at Pergamum.
He says, “You have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam.” Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, led Israel into sin through false doctrine and sexual immorality. In Pergamum, there were individuals promoting similar false teachings. Jesus makes it clear: “What you’re believing to be true… is demonic… and false and wrong. Now, it may be socially acceptable… it may be culturally relevant… but those beliefs are unacceptable in the eyes of God!”
This warning is crucial for us today. Our society often promotes beliefs and values that contradict God’s Word. We must be discerning and steadfast, ensuring that our beliefs align with biblical truth, not cultural trends. False doctrine can lead us away from God and into spiritual danger.
Jesus also critiques their behavior, specifically referencing sexual sin. He condemns fornication (sexual relationships outside of marriage) and adultery (unfaithfulness to marriage vows). He declares, “Sexual sin is totally unacceptable for my people and it’s totally unacceptable in the eyes of God.” This condemnation extends to any behavior that contradicts God’s standards.
This brings us to the concept of apostasy. Apostasy refers to someone who claims to profess faith but doesn’t practice that faith. It’s someone who identifies as a Christian but lives in a way that contradicts the teachings of the Bible. Jesus calls out the church at Pergamum for this very issue. They were wearing the badge of Christianity but living in open rebellion against God.
This is a sobering reminder for us today. We must examine our lives and ensure that our actions reflect our professed faith. It’s easy to claim the title of a Christian, but our lives must demonstrate our commitment to Christ. Apostasy happens when we desire sin more than we desire Jesus.
Why does this happen? Because we’re still enticed by sin. Living an apostate life occurs when we prioritize our sinful desires over our relationship with Jesus. It’s a dangerous path that leads us away from God and into spiritual destruction.
We must guard against this by immersing ourselves in God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and continually seeking to align our lives with God’s standards. Jesus calls us to live lives of holiness and faithfulness, rejecting false beliefs and sinful behavior.
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1 Comment
I have thought and truly tried to stud,pray, talk to Minister's , pray everything a hillbilly boy who loves our lord could figure to do. As I was more scared than a than a Baptist preaching in st. Peter's at the Vatican on Easter Sunday ! I'm not one who goes around with my super biblical insight setting all who are just not great as me straight , as if I've got our God figured and everyone is just crazier than a tied raccoon. I did read Hebrews and I see that when we become enlightened, baptized, shared in the greatness of God, partake of the holy spirit etc. We have entered the true new covenant of Christ, leaving all previous covenants, gods etc. If after this we choose to return to anything else or anything previous practices. It is now impossible to return us again to repentance, leaving no more sacrifices for our justification/sanctification. We can't crucify Christ freshly again we already believed, accepted, participating in it . through baptism, communion, laying on of hands, forgiveness of sin the whole Christian package!. Then returned to some form of molrky , huyy!, foneyizum! Not a word spelled right and disastrous grammar, IM FULL BLOODED HILLBILLY EAST KY COAL MINNR. TRY AND UNDERSTAND PLEASE I DO APOLOGIZE. I know so many preach their brand of the gospel and the rest of us hetherns! Are on an express train bound to bust hell wide open. I truly believe we humans have a real problem where we think we understand perfectly the mind , will, plan and intentions of The Father, creator of all in existence. We preach our gospel, our, salvation messages , as if it was ours to give. Jesus said nobody will come to him unless The Father draws them to him. Christ says his sheep gate only can be entered when he opens the front gate. Anything else anyway else makes one a thief, a liar aka not a righteous, saved sheep. God does the inviting, Christ opens the gate. There's no backway, or your special secret way. Those who have faith that Christ is what he said, those will seek and will find. He will knock on those faithful doors, if opened he will enter and be in you and you in him. You must hear of him then develop faith in him at some time, God will invite, Jesus will come knocking if you will open he will enter and supp with you and you with him. You take up your cross and follow him. He who believes in the son will be saved he who believes not is already condemned. Trust Christ is who ,what he says he is with alk your heart. Love as he teaches you will enter the good Shepherd gate through that righteous front door. Don't let people, and theology , those with pride, and judgement in there heart's void of love lead you or confuse you with their religion their salvation. Believe in him, love like he teaches us, forgive unconditionally, confess your sins, resist Satan and sin. Lay aside all your weights especially the ones that set you astray, run your race reaching for Christ always. Not that your going to apprehend him but reach and try always to apprehend our saviour, be like him as much as we poor creatures can. Resist Satan he will run from you. When your carnal nature rears hits ugly head pray and when you fail confess and get back on the job back in the race. You will have literally numbers big numbers of churches, preacher, even some that will want you to handle handfuls of RATTLESNAKES, AND COPPERHEADS SLINGING THEM AROUND LIKE THEIR TOYS!! SERIOUSLY!. that the only one I'm going to strongly suggest you just love and pray for everyone of those people from way outside. Just never get more tied to theologically driving than remember faith, love, forgiveness, and this one last thing WORSHIP! NOT GREAT SINGING, OR PREACHING, OR SHOUTING. SINGING SHOUTING IS PRAISE, PREACHING IS TEACHING. all these are ok. We are there to worship him not for something we are expecting to get. We are there to give unto him. There's no worship without sacrifice. Don't neglect prayer. Cur out all self edification. Those who want to be first or greatest must become last, least. The more we cut self out the more his holy spirit will be we often give him no room to move, we have to get out of his way and give him room. He will get his job done! He instructs, and elevates us in truly miraculous ways. Remember its his salvation, church, service, not ours. David prayed renew unto me the joy of THY! salvation, renew a rite spirit in me. I know I'm off original topic but I'm not really bothered by that. Hebrews was speaking of those who had chose to truly follow jesus, being baptized, sharing in the holy spirit and maturing in the faith. Then choose to return to a lie. This only happens to those who have truly known Christ and shared in his church then reject it. I know some belief if were saved we can't turn from that. If that's there's belief that ok its not going to break my whole world and cause holy war . I'm capable of not being a theoretical Marvel perfect in all understanding. If you want to be Baptist, Pentecostal, Methodist, Catholic, independent, PLEASE DONT DANCE AROUND WITH A HANDFUL OF TIMBER RATTLESNAKES, COPPERHEADS, EVEN GREEN SNAKES. BUT IF YOU TRULY LIKE THAT KIND OF IM SORRY GOT TO CALL THE ACT INSANITY!! NOT THE PEOPLE. THOSE ARE BROTHERS AND SISTERS! BUT I REALLY REALLY THINK THEY MAY BE MISSING ST MARKS WRITING. AT LEAST I REALLY HOPE SO. joking aside were ever your worshiping remember to worship. I don't like condemning any denomination, and I do believe i one truth. But if your in faith you expelled self, your heart is about love, worship, forgiveness, and you are a seeker one who cares, understanding its gods salvation. You will be just fine. So many will try and shin you to this church or that one tell you what your doing wrong even say your practicing false gospel, let his holy spirit instinct, elevate. Cling to your true faith in him you know. Remember. I KNOW MY SAVIOR LIVES. Know the truth and the truth makes you free. Love when they judge, forgive when they refuse to worship with you or call you brother. Even some may say you will be condemned if you don't believe their brand of religion. Love and pray for them we cannot be found guilty, lost or in hell if we keep our faith in Christ, we love as he did, forgive unconditionally and seek him always. Trust gods holy spirit that is sent to be your help. Have a true desire to be where and about the business you know he wants you to be. Only when we began to follow men and our own desires just as Lucifer got his thoughts of being in a place higher than the father. Sometimes its hard for use to be what he has willed you to be. We all are called to be in a place, and at the purpose he has willed for us. He gives each of us something unique to use. If used we will be blessed and our talent will be multiplied. This often isn't what we would have picked for us . its his not ours just obey and be at whatever he calls. Sorry I've been hillbilly preaching for all this time. I don't have perfect answers of where your supposed to be or the one place you must attend church, or even what you have to believe words for word. That's most Christians problem everyone knows what each of us must do or burn in hell. We can't hate. We can't make the bible and salvation ours based on our take. Saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ. With that we will be guided where we are to be. Love all my Brothers and sisters in Christ, love those who haven't found the good Shepherd yet. Praying for all for when they do. Praying for their invite from the Father soon. We don't choose the righteous, or the lost who makes it who dont. REMEMBER ON THE CROSS THE THIEF JUST SAID. REMEMBER ME WHEN YOU ENTER YOUR KINGDOM. JESUS SAID TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE! WOW! I LOVE THAT ONE. We don't know if he was baptized, spoke tongs , anything he followed or practiced before. BUT WE KNOW AFTER HE SAID THOSE FEW HUMBLE WORDS TO OUR SAVIOUR HIS FAITH GOT CHRIST TO PROMISE TO WALK INTO PARADISE HEAVEN! WITH THAT CONDEMNED THIEF that day. If only we all got that personal face to face promise. That old boy hanging up there that day beside our lord 2000 years ago is the only one with that little experience . Amazing! You will be with me TODAY IN PARADISE LOVE IT. IM DONE LOVE AND PIECE BE WITH ALL OF YOU. lets pray for that day when we enter that place. Hope we enter together as well. Its real my brother faith and his grace the key. Love forgive, seek, fight a good fight, finish this race, keep the faith. For to live is Christ and to die is gain. Remember where sin abounds, grace abounds more. Ok done could go on but ill quit. While we were yet sinners, yet Christ died for us. Sorry. How bout one more when my heart is overwhelmed , take me to the Rock that is higher than i. I am the bread of life he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has life, those who eat not have no life in them. For my flesh is true food, my blood true drink. I dwell in them and them in me, and I will raise them to life on the last day. He said your ancestors ate the manna that fell from heaven in the desert, and they dies. Those who eat his flesh drinks this blood never die. The manna sustained biological life, his blood and body sustains your underlying soul and will raise you to glory on the last day. We will be in him and he in us. Uo! I probably know what church I am in now. Please don't hate me over it. Still love each of everyone and believe what I said. believe Christ, love, forgive, be his. Ok done.