2nd Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
This passage of scripture warns us against the fatal sophistries being presented by the "Other Jesus" and the "Other gospel" now being peddled in most of contemporary Christianity. This gospel of our own devising allows us to claim Christ as our Lord and Savior, whilst living in direct violation of the plainest instructions He has given. It also accommodates all of our pet sins and cultivated lusts, with no effort or desire on our part to have them uprooted by the grace and power of God. This is what the apostle refers to when he speaks of having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Whatever may be the private and fanciful interpretations of scripture that abound today, the cold truth is that no one enters heaven without overcoming. To put it simply, if we desire to pass through the pearly gates, we will have to overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testimony, for this is the only way outlined in the scriptures for any individual to have safe passage from earth to heaven. In the messages given to the seven churches in Revelation, each message ends with the words "To him that overcometh" meaning that there ain't no other way to enter the kingdom of God. Let's read:
revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
The "Other" gospel which has become so popular today allows its adherents to praise Jesus for His victories, whilst we continue to live in sin, since as is purported, overcoming cultivated and inherited tendencies to evil is too difficult to be accomplished, and thus a truce between good and evil is called, with the vain hope of receiving immortality via a method that has already been proscribed. The theological concept that it is to hard to live victoriously is one of satan's deadliest delusions, and goes directly against what is plainly stated in the scriptures. Furthermore, the whole purpose of the plan of salvation is to bring us back into full harmony with God, by the uprooting of every known sin in our lives. Anything short of this amounts to cheap grace, and will result in great disappointment when Christ returns. Let's read:
1st John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
1st John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Another poisonous draft from the "Other" gospel is the notion that the devil made me do it, as if we had no choice in the matter of resisting temptation. If we were to buy into this falsehood, we will thereby be literally handing the victory to the devil, for if he cannot be resisted, then what's the purpose of trying anyway? But the Bible again nullifies this false concept with the clearest language possible, thereby giving us the assurance of victory through Christ. Further more, Jesus Himself states in Revelation chapter three, that we are to overcome just as He overcame, meaning that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let's read:
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
It therefore behooves every one of us to take God at His word, and not be deceived by the plethora of falsehoods that are taking center stage in our day, for due warning has been given in God's word, and it's now high time that we be on full alert, to be able to discern between the true and the false, between light and darkness, and between good and evil. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which reiterates the cautions here given, and it is the will of God that we fight manfully for life, by trusting in the power of God, whilst believing and obeying His every word. Let's read:
2nd Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!