6/27 A Summary on the Counterfeit Religious System

So far in our Blog on the Challenges to Christianity, we have been looking at the fifth issues Jesus Followers must face – that of the Counterfeit Religious System.  Jesus and the Apostle Paul warned us that there were be imitations of the real Good news. 

They warmed such groups would come who would aim for the power and glory as a selfish ambition for recognition beyond what the Holy Spirit would give.  The major aim would be to draw people away from the truth in Jesus’ message of grace versus works. 

6/22 Guest Post for Christian Foundations: ‘Hardcore Legalism’

Here is an interesting Guest Post presented by Bob Gonzales at drbobgonzales.com :

I used to think that I could earn God’s favor and salvation on the basis of my inherent virtue and good works. Of course, I admitted I wasn’t perfect. But I foolishly presumed that my good deeds would somehow outweigh my bad deeds.

“In this respect, I thought and behaved much like the Pharisees, scribes, and Jewish people of Jesus’ day who trusted in their own inherent virtue and religious performance to merit their acceptance before God (Matthew 5:20; Luke 16:14-15; 18:9-12, 14; Romans 10:1-3).

#11. Readers Respond: What do you think about the church?

 Another interesting comment about how someone feels about the modern day church

“I was always a strong church-goer. I stuck with going, even in times I was hurt to the core because I never saw church folks outside of the church–they’d greet me, but let trouble come, drop out for a while, and it’s like you disappeared. I never had ANY family to fall back on.

“Over and over, I let it go, forgave. I was in abusive, controlling churches where this happened, but after 16 years of those churches, God got me out. I was attending a good, sane church for 2 years now–but lately I haven’t been able to attend, due to work.

6/15 Your Place in Heaven – Sunday Cuppa with Susanne

I just stood there, amazed at the words I thought I had heard from the speaker’s comments! 

“Yes, anything not done for the church or having to do with evangelism will be swept away with the wood, hey and stubble,” he had replied.  He then went on to quote:  “Your place in heaven will be based on what you have accomplished for the church.”

#10. Readers Respond: Church Leadership Patterns are a Hindrance

 Here is another comment from readers about how they feel about the modern day ‘church’.

“Does Hebrews 10:25 translate to “go to ‘church’ on Sundays?” Today we’re gathering both locally and virtually with others all over the world.

There are few if any New Testament prescriptions for exactly how a “gathering” should happen. This is especially important when you consider today’s standard “church service” — which is little more than an invention of early Roman religious culture.

6/14 The Foundations of Jesus’ message for Christian Faith

Before we launch into further discussion we need to know more about the Foundations of the Christian message. 

1.  What did Jesus really teach? 

From that basis, we can see where the other ‘streams’ of the Counterfeit are coming into the church.

An important part of Christian growth comes by understanding the concept of God’s Law versus God’s grace.  Any striving to please Him – which can even be ‘following instructions to gain His approval’ – or the approval of others, is working under ‘law’.

2.  Jesus came to bring the message: “Hey!  Dad isn’t angry with us anymore!  It is safe to come home!”