Welcome, Beloved!

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  • An Open Letter to “Christians”

    TO: Christians

    This letter will cut straight to the point quickly. There is a lot of division and distraction, and I fear that many are being led astray by those who stand in the way of the gate. So let’s please consider how these things can lead us to humble ourselves enough to listen and to take action — not just be offended or protective of any familiar spirits, desires, or pet sins.

    There are political movements right now that are dividing and manipulating. And if you think it’s only “the other side” that is being manipulated, you’re probably in an echo chamber of deep manipulation yourself. If so, you need to shake it off and wake yourself up turn off the media and your influencers — to instead hear the voice of the Lord.

    Some use the Bible to justify hating what they already hate, and never change. They are lost in dead religious practice, tradition and laws that can never save them.

    Others learn to hate the foolish things they once loved — and trade them for wise things. This is The Way of Repentance — turning to God’s way and will for our lives. It is here that we can seek and find God.

    And drawing closer to God, some even learn to love those that are hard to love, to forgive those who do not deserve forgiveness, to provide for those who have not earned it,  and to protect those who cannot protect themselves. This is the very presence of God’s Holy Spirit and His Kingdom abiding in His own. It is His Will being done on earth as it is in Heaven — in and through us.

    If your use of “Christianity” is to point a finger towards others in hate — are you not blasphemous about the very spirit of the Living God — choosing “Hate” as your god instead of “Love”?  Are you serving the Accuser instead of the Savior?

    If your use of “Christianity” is to excuse your remaining in an ongoing and persistent foolishness or wickedness — are you not choosing to trample on the blood of Christ that has been offered to you as a free gift? Are you refusing to allow the power and authority of Jesus Christ to be Lord of your life and to overcome your enslavement to the desires and passions of your flesh? Are you alive in Christ Jesus,  or dead in your sin?

    Pay attention. Do not be led away by the wolves or the temptations to the slaughter.

    Not every building with a cross is a meeting place for the Church. Not every man behind a pulpit holding a Bible and led by a spirit is a friend of the Lord. Not every person proud to be seen as a moral,  religious, pious “Christian” actually knows Him or is “known” by Him. Not every person you see praying publicly is a saint,  and not every person you do not see praying publicly is a devil. Search your own heart,  and you will know this is true.

    Repent, while there is still time.

    Love > Hate
    Obedience > Sacrifice

    Related Study/Research

    • Romans 8:3 (NLT): “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have.”

    • Romans 3:20 (KJV): “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

    • Galatians 2:16 (NIV): “…know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.”

    • Galatians 3:10 (NIV): “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse…”

    • Hebrews 10:1: The law is a “shadow of the good things to come” and cannot make worshippers perfect. 

    Scripture addresses self-righteousness as a dangerous form of pride, often condemned by Jesus (Luke 18:9-14) as a hypocritical attitude that despises others. True righteousness, according to the Bible, comes from faith in God, not self-effort or arrogance (Romans 10:3, Ephesians 2:8-9). It warns against being “clean in their own eyes” (Proverbs 30:12). 

    Key Biblical Verses and Context on Self-Righteousness:

    • The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14): Jesus spoke against those who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt.

    • Proverbs 30:12: “There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth”.

    • Romans 10:3: Warns against ignoring God’s righteousness to establish one’s own.

    • Isaiah 64:6: Describes self-righteous acts as “polluted garments” or “filthy rags”.

    • Proverbs 13:5: Notes that “the righteous hate falsehood”. 

    What God “Hates” Regarding Righteousness:

    • Self-Righteousness/Pride: God opposes the self-righteousness, arrogance, and pride that stems from trusting in oneself rather than Him (Proverbs 8:13, Isaiah 65:1-7).

    • Hypocrisy: Condemned by Jesus in the Pharisees, who appeared righteous outwardly but were full of hypocrisy (Luke 12:1).

    • Ignoring God: True righteousness is through faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Galatians 2:16, 21). 

    Proverbs 1:7 is a foundational verse for choosing wisdom over foolishness: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instructions (KJV).” It emphasizes that true wisdom begins by respecting and submitting to God’s truth, rather than relying on one’s own understanding, which is often considered foolishness. 

    Key Verses on Wisdom vs. Foolishness:

    • Proverbs 13:20: “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (KJV)

    • Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (KJV)

    • Proverbs 12:8: “A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.” (KJV)

    • Proverbs 17:28: “Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”

    • 1 Corinthians 1:27: “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” (KJV) GotQuestions.orgGotQuestions.org +4

    Key Differences:

    • Wisdom is characterized by humility, teachability, and fear of the Lord.

    • Foolishness is defined by arrogance, rejecting instruction, and trusting one’s own heart. 

    Repentance in the Bible signifies a sincere turning away from sin toward God, often bringing forgiveness, spiritual refreshing, and joy in heaven. Key verses include Acts 3:19 (wiping away sins), 1 John 1:9 (confession leading to cleansing), and 2 Peter 3:9 (God’s desire for all to repent)

    It is described as a change of heart and mind

    Key Bible Verses on Repentance

    • Acts 3:19 (NIV): “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”.

    • 1 John 1:9 (NKJV): “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

    • 2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV): “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”.

    • Acts 17:30 (ESV): “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent”.

    • Luke 13:3 (NIV): “But unless you repent, you too will all perish”.

    • Ezekiel 18:23 (NIV): “Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?”.

    • 2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV): “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”.

    • Mark 1:15 (NKJV): “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel”.

    • Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV): “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy”.

    • Acts 2:38 (NIV): “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. 

    Understanding Biblical Repentance

    • Definition: The Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means to change one’s mind or purpose.

    • Purpose: It is an intentional shift from wanting to sin to wanting to obey God.

    • Result: Repentance brings joy in heaven, as emphasized in the parable of the lost sheep.

    • Action: It requires turning from wicked ways and actively doing what is just and right. 

    The Bible warns believers to beware of false teachers who disguise themselves as harmless, often appearing in “sheep’s clothing” but secretly promoting destructive heresies (Matthew 7:15, 2 Peter 2:1). Key verses emphasize identifying them by their “fruit” (actions/character) and avoiding those who cause division or contradict sound doctrine (Matthew 7:16, Romans 16:17-18). 

    Key Bible Verses on False Teachers:

    • Matthew 7:15-16 (ESV): “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”

    • 2 Peter 2:1 (NKJV): “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them…”

    • Romans 16:17-18 (ESV): “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.”

    • 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT): “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.”

    • 1 John 4:1 (NIV): “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

    • 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (ESV): Defines them as “false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ”. 

    Characteristics of False Teaching:

    • Sensuality/Greed: They are often motivated by greed, using “feigned words” to exploit people (2 Peter 2:3).

    • Division: They cause divisions and obstacles contrary to established doctrine (Romans 16:17).

    • Denial of Christ: They may deny the master or distort the true nature of Jesus (2 Peter 2:1).

    • Appealing to Desires: They cater to itching ears, telling people what they want to hear rather than the truth (2 Timothy 4:3). 

    How to Guard Against Them:

    • Test the Spirits: Evaluate teachings against the Word of God (1 John 4:1).

    • Examine Fruit: Look at the character and lifestyle of the teacher, not just their popularity.

    • Study Sound Doctrine: Ground oneself in the truth to recognize error. 

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