Takin’ Care Of Business

Posted on November 3, 2021 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition”

2 Thessalonians 2:3 (NKJV)

 

There ain’t no doubt in my mind that there will be a Great Falling Away from the Christian faith. I will also agree that we’re seeing a-shakin’-n-a-movin’ that appears to be the beginning of this. Many can blame this on what happened in 1962 when The U.S. Supreme Court deemed it unconstitutional for mandated prayer in the public school system. They also thought voluntary prayer was just as unconstitutional because they thought some students would be considered outsiders to a main group and face peer pressure for being “dissenters.” I say this started when Eve handed the forbidden fruit to Adam and he ate but wha’da I know? Anyway…

 

In his book, “Driven By Eternity”, author John Bevere makes an interesting statement. “One of the greatest hinderances to our coming to know the will of God is that when we read Scripture, we read what we believe rather than believe what we read. Reading what we believe occurs when we choose to see truth through tainted lenses. This tainting results from incorrect knowledge gained from others or taught by our denomination, or from our preconceived notions about God and His way. This is very dangerous because it can lead us to deception.”

 

I’m using his statement to illustrate just how careful we need to be concerning these present times. I’m believing Jesus is coming back, I’m believing what He said to the church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13), He is the One who “has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals” (Rev 5:5), however, I’m taking Him at His word in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14, and until I see that, I need to be about God’s business because…

 

“the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

 

…that’s why.

 

One of the things I’m appreciative about is you, the Freedom Fighter reader. Not only do you take the time to stop and read what the FF team daily tries to put out to encourage and exhort to you but if something doesn’t sound right to you, we’ll hear from some of you. It’s because of this practice, I can safely say to you that you run me through Scripture and hold me to account…that makes me dive into His Word all the more deeply.

 

So, with that, let’s understand that Scripture tells us that we’re gonna get our share of false teachers and false believers. Some may wanna know where you are on the gridiron of Calvinism vs Arminianism, Systematic or New Reformers theology, Old Testament or New Testament covenants, Hymns or Contemporary music, chicken or pot roast (umm, opps. Sorry about that. I think like a Baptist when I start to get hungry) and not any of that is gonna matter. Why? Jesus makes this clear…

 

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19-20)

 

Don’t get any of this wrong either, church philosophies, doctrines, confessions, theologies and the like are the tools provided to assist but like anything, if used the wrong way they can cause great damage and steer folks away. Once we complicate the teaching of Jesus, folks won’t wanna listen. But on the flip side, there are absolutes that Jesus teaches that folks won’t wanna listen to either. So, what are we to do as it looks to be the end of the world as we know it?

 

Well praying is always a good thing to do. Asking the Creator to help the Creation out of its deception is always on the menu. But sometimes I think folks need to see how the teachings of Jesus works in the hearts of those who have put their entire trust, hope and faith into Him. When they see that we actually put into practice those things we see in the Sermon on the Mount, it is as we are bringing to life the day Jesus preached it. And that’s what a fallen world needs to see…a bunch of Christians actually behaving like a bunch of Christians. What a concept, huh?

 

As for me, I’m gonna believe what I read (Biblically, of course) and be about taking care about God’s business…so should you. Amen?

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can e-mail at cphughes515@verizon.net.

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. ⁵ He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. –Psalm 33:4-5