Scripture reminds us to take everything we hear and align it with God’s truth. Pastors and teachers are imperfect people, and though held to a higher standard by God to correctly preach Truth, it’s ultimately up to us to make sure we’re following Christ first and foremost.
Scripture reminds us to align everything we hear with God's truth. Pastors and teachers are imperfect people, and though held to a higher standard by God to correctly preach Truth, it's ultimately up to us to make sure we're following Christ first and foremost. Here are two false agendas we, as Christ followers, should be aware and wary of.
The Replacement Theology Doctrine
The Replacement Theology is a belief among some Christian sects perpetuating the idea that the church has displaced the nation of Israel, assuming the Jewish role as the chosen people of God under the new covenant. Note: Christians are being grafted into the Jewish covenant and are not meant to replace Israel as God's chosen people. Nonetheless, in the end,
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)
As a result of such misguided ideology, support for Israel is plummeting even more drastically among Christian believers. Sadly, Israel has been, for the longest time, looked at as a Pariah State, an "occupier of the land," even by self-professing Christians. Having stayed in Israel for a good amount of time, I have witnessed its immense strength in terms of firepower and the country's ethical principles in conducting its war. In witnessing the unending strife between Israel and its enemies, I saw firsthand the suffering of the Jews when there was an ongoing battle. At one point, we dodged rockets fired from Gaza as we drove the car on the streets of Ashdod. A couple of times, we had to alight from the vehicle, fall to the ground and cover our heads with our hands. I also experienced waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to get to the bomb shelter on the ground floor every time the siren sounded. We were only given 15 seconds to get to the bomb-proof room as I was staying on the outskirts of Ashdod. At one point, being so sleep-deprived, I resisted going downstairs, so my Jewish friend had to drag me out of the room and onto the bomb shelter when the siren blared. Note: I want to clarify that I do not intend to overlook the suffering of the people of Gaza. However, it is crucial to maintain balanced perspectives that consider the plight of people from both sides. Concerning the mainstream media, there is no such thing as balanced news coverage regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And as the growing number of Christians withdraw their support for Israel, I can't help but ask —has the faithful forgotten Israel's ultimate tribulation– when all nations would turn against Israel in the last days?
Thus, if you're someone who deems Israel as a Pariah State, an illegal occupier of the land, you will find yourself numbered among those prophesied to forsake the very people whom God entrusted us to embrace. And contrary to the proponents of Replacement Theology, God is not yet finished with Israel. God's turning away from Israel is only temporary. In Romans 11, Paul signified that Israel will always hold a special place in God's heart, as verified by the following Old Testament Scriptures.
- "For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved." - Romans 11: 25- 26
- "He that keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." - Psalm 121
- "Then I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication when they will look toward Me whom they pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourn for an only son and grieve bitterly for Him, as one grieves for a firstborn." - Zechariah 12:10
The Prosperity Gospel
There is a prevailing belief that Christians with unflinching faith and living virtuous lives will experience constant abundance in all aspects of their lives. In stark contrast, Christians grappling with agonizing afflictions are often unfairly judged as culprits of grave offenses or a supposed lack of faith. Such assumptions, woven into the fabric of traditional belief, tend to cast shadows upon the soul of the suffering believers as they grapple with the weight of their tribulations. Many months ago, I gave up a lucrative job because I was asked to publish content advocating the merits of one of the fastest but riskiest portable electronic devices for young teens. Thus, I gracefully resigned with unwavering faith, trusting that God would replace it with something better.
Nonetheless; for months on end since I left my job, I've failed to secure a monthly salary that matches what I used to earn in my previous job. Do I regret my resignation? I must admit that when the going gets tough–there's always that tinge of regret. But at my core, I know if confronted with the same situation, I would do the same thing.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” - Romans 5:3-5 NIV
It is then a great disservice for prosperity preachers to perpetuate the idea that those who possess unyielding faith and unparalleled generosity are always granted the abundant blessings they truly deserve. As a result, those endowed with profound faith yet whose prayers were left unanswered for years on end find their hearts shattered and spirits dejected. If you hold the same view, you may want to read the following verse in the Bible.
The Poor Widow's Offering at the Temple
"Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on." (Mark 12:43)
The widow's remarkable generosity was unmistakably evident, as she wholeheartedly gave everything she had into the temple's treasury. Thus, the claim of prosperity preachers that an abundance of blessings is always manifested in the lives of devout believers is not accurate. The widow had a deep faith and steadfast devotion to follow God's will. Yet, she's not a woman of material wealth but of poverty (devoid of material opulence yet adorned with the treasures of unswerving faith in God). These are only a few convincing proofs in the Bible indicating that pain, illness, and poverty are not always the result of evil deeds or a lack of faith. But through the trials of the faithful, God's name will be exalted. God's omnipotent power is most glorious and radiant in the souls of those who endure hardships yet remain resolute in their devotion to the Almighty, bearing witness to His indomitable strength that's manifested in their lives. A life that may have been beset by trials but is imbued with grace, empowering the suffering believer to thrive and flourish despite adversity.
Hence, if you consider yourself a devout believer, ardently following God's will, yet find yourself enduring suffering–do not lose heart. Because not only will the grace of God see you through your most challenging times, but it will also lead to rewards far more significant than what you can ever hope for. Our love for God will spur us to endure and surmount our trials with uncompromising determination. And when things get tough, remember that our lives here on earth are but a mere speck compared to the vastness that awaits us beyond this life.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Pamela D McAdams
