THE ABUSE OF GRACE: BE NOT DECEIVED!

THE ABUSE OF GRACE: BE NOT DECEIVED!

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting". Galatians 6:7-8

The word "Deception" by definition means an act or statement which misleads, hides the truth, or promotes a belief, concept, or idea that is not true. It is often done for personal gain or advantage.

Notice the key words in the above definition;

Misleads

Hides the truth

Promotes a false belief, concept or ideas.  

So when we see any act or statement that it's delivery portrays the above connotation, we should identify that the fact that deception is at work.

Apostle Paul in addressing the Galatians church, was not addressing unbelievers. He was talking to christains. So deception is not SELECTIVE. There's no immunity to deception on the mere fact that you are a christain. He also emphasized that no matter the level of deception, manner of delivery, and persons used to perpetuate it, that God is not MOCKED. Meaning you cannot make a fool of God. Deception no matter how sweet is packaged, communicated and received, it cannot appease God or make God to lower his standards for anybody. It can be high sounding or perfectly logical, yet God cannot be mocked. Mockery is when you try to call someone's bluff and take advantage of the persons ignorance. 

We can expantiate "mockery" by using the story illustration of a man who intends to sell his used car. He goes ahead to firstly, repair the car, repaints it perfectly and works the engine and plans to decieved the buyer. But fails to understand that the buyer is an expert car dealer. In this case, regardless of the packaging of the car, the buyer is not mocked. So God is the umpire of salvation. We can decieve ourselves but not him. He is not mocked. 

What a man sows is what he reaps. There will always be harvest time. When the seeds we sowed to ourselves whether in ignorance or knowingly will become manifest. We will either reap corruption or we will reap everlasting life. But this is not what a lot of believers want to hear. Everlasting life?? Reaped??? To the decieved, this sounds like abomination. But it is there in Paul's admonition.....

"If we sow to the Spirit, we shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting".

So it's possible that we can be decieved. It is possible that we can be led astray. It is very possible! Unfortunately the end times will be characterized with a lot of deception.

"And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them".  Luke 21:7-8 KJV

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."  2 Timothy 3:5

This deception sells a belief system that has the form of godliness but denies the power. It thrives because men has chosen to be lovers of their own selves, of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 

I heard a minister in this country preach that one can live in sin and still make heaven. That the only negative effect of sin is that it will destroy your ministry, your marriage and life here on Earth. But that the person can still make heaven. This sounds very ridiculous. I am wondering (this is my mind now), so it is possible that one can actually destroy himself on Earth here, fail in his calling and still expect to meet and be accepted by a God of accountability?? This is an abomination and a reprobate gospel. I choose not to buy it. It is a deviation from what grace is all about. People think that Grace is all about cheapening the effect of salvation, living as we like because Jesus has paid it all. This is A BIG FAT LIE and a doctrine of devils. Notice the words of Jesus who infact is the Author of grace himself below;

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  Matthew 11:28-30.

At salvation, Jesus gives rest. But unfortunately this is where the perverted grace gospel stops. They forget that the same Jesus who gives rest also reserves a rest for those who FIND IT. A rest that can only be found by taking up his YOKE (which means a call to responsible, accountable and purposeful living) and LEARNING of him which takes meekness and lowliness of heart to qualify for. So when you see a minister or a christain who lives for himself and negates all forms of accountability to God and mentoring of the Spirit, that fellow is yet to find the rest that Jesus reserves for the soul of finders. 

How do we discern a Reprobate and deceptive gospel; 

When the belief system postulates a christain life that assumes holiness status without actually living it. 

When it teaches you can live your life and not be accountable to any one, not even God.

When it teaches that the work of the Holyspirit is not to convict a believer of sin but only to comfort.

When it teaches that the judgement day is only to receive rewards and not to give account of our stewardship, and a process on which basis entrance to heaven can be granted or denied.

When it teaches that heaven is not a location but in our hearts. Yes it is in our hearts but also a location.

When it teaches that in whatever state you are as a believer that rapture happens that you will be ressurected regardless of your status with God.

That teaches that living an accountable life as a christain is mere works and not grace.

When it teaches an eternal salvation devoid of backsliding.

Hebrews 10:38-39 KJV

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. [39] But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

From the above verses we can note a few things,.....

The just (the saved person) can actually draw back. 

The statement that "we are not of them that draw back" does not mean you cannot go back. It means that the option to backslide is our choice. 

It also states that the state of drawing back brings displeasure to God and can result in one losing his soul. 

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV

From the above passage, Apostle brought out some few salient points referencing our christain journey....

All can run, but only one obtains

That the race should be run with an intention of recieving the reward at the end of the race (not a "now" reward).

That the race demands the attitude of being temperate (ie self controlled) in order to run effectively.

That the reward of running is an incorruptible crown that will be recieved at the end of the race. 

That the race will gender the need to adopt the rules of engagement in order to run well. Not running uncertainly, not beating the air.

That it will be my sole responsibility to discipline my flesh if I intend to finish the race well.

Finally, that there's a possibility to be a cast away at the end of the race if my running was not acceptable.

The master has already warned us.... Let no man DECEIVE you!

Let him that has ears, let him hear. 

May Grace and peace be multiplied to us in Jesus name, Amen.