And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Angels are ministers. Light is associated with Truth. Satan has effectively created legions of Angels Of Light who present themselves as ministers and servants while working to bring people into bondage. He even uses good sounding words like, woke, to deceive. Note, these ministers may be overtly religious or overtly political. However, the net effect of their 'ministry' is spiritual bondage, intellectual bondage and physical bondage. Atheism, Political Correctness, Fascism, False Science, Regimentation, Taxation, Regulation are examples of that bondage. |
There are two key passages in this chapter which make clear what was going on:
For you suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man strike you on the face.  This should be obvious but somehow people are drawn into personality cults. |
Verse 3 indicates the problem: preachers moved away from the simple Truth of the Gospel and came up with hybrid doctrines through rationalization.
Verse 20 tells us the result: the hearer comes under bondage - mental and spiritual - to a minister who attacks who they are in Christ Jesus (face). But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. |
False teaching (religiosity) was a problem then and it is a problem now.
The fruit that the church should be bearing is not evident because of false teaching.
Any church or minister who does not reinforce the fact that we are now sons of God is misrepresenting the Gospel.
Any church or minister who does not reinforce our privilege to come to God boldly is misrepresenting the Gospel. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: |
Any church or minster who does not reinforce this point-blank statement by Christ but rather teaches us to beg and plead with God is misrepresenting the Gospel.
Any church or minister who does not reinforce the Words of Christ Jesus but teaches extreme sovereignty and the constricting will of God is misrepresenting the Gospel.
All Christians in all churches need to be filled with the Holy Spirit who teaches us, and they need to get into the Word of God to grasp the implications of the "simplicity that is in Christ ". |
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