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Jim Minker, Christian author wrote:
Men who turn the grace of God into license are those who use the law to their own advantage. These are not those who are free from the law but instead those who have learned to manipulate the law so that they appear righteous by the law. Consider the fact that those who Jesus called licentious ones were none other than the religious men who kept trying to set him up by Scriptural tricks and deception. Is it any surprise that this same mind would find itself a comfortable spot to operate within the message of the grace of God in Christ? It was this same mind that James addressed in his letter and which has also been twisted so that it appears to warn against the true grace of Christ. These are the men that Paul said want to be teachers of the law, and yet they don’t understand what they are saying. This same mind is all around us, and it desires to suck us in by trickery and deception. The short letter of Jude is an excellent message showing the simple difference between the mind of life and the mind of death. Never fear it!
His wife Sherri Minker added:
Don't even have to worry about that anymore these days … the creeping in. They are welcomed with open arms, looked up to, believed, and followed with the whole heart and mind. The lies and deception that were generated and perpetuated back in the day have been passed down from generation to generation until it is all simple accepted 'truth' and very 'fundamental' teaching in today's claims and many varied versions of 'Christianity'.
We have probably all claimed and perpetuated a lot of the same deception ourselves at one time or another, or even LOTS of times, not knowing any better, as that is the very nature of being 'deceived'.
A lot of today's so-called Christianity is not much more than a blending of many different religious AND pagan beliefs and superstitions without even realizing it. Some of the most sincere and genuine of hearts have been deceived to the point that they teach and preach what many in the past had to 'sneak in' and 'spy out' to infiltrate. Not that they don't still, just saying.
Men who turn the grace of God into license are those who use the law to their own advantage. These are not those who are free from the law but instead those who have learned to manipulate the law so that they appear righteous by the law. Consider the fact that those who Jesus called licentious ones were none other than the religious men who kept trying to set him up by Scriptural tricks and deception. Is it any surprise that this same mind would find itself a comfortable spot to operate within the message of the grace of God in Christ? It was this same mind that James addressed in his letter and which has also been twisted so that it appears to warn against the true grace of Christ. These are the men that Paul said want to be teachers of the law, and yet they don’t understand what they are saying. This same mind is all around us, and it desires to suck us in by trickery and deception. The short letter of Jude is an excellent message showing the simple difference between the mind of life and the mind of death. Never fear it!
His wife Sherri Minker added:
Don't even have to worry about that anymore these days … the creeping in. They are welcomed with open arms, looked up to, believed, and followed with the whole heart and mind. The lies and deception that were generated and perpetuated back in the day have been passed down from generation to generation until it is all simple accepted 'truth' and very 'fundamental' teaching in today's claims and many varied versions of 'Christianity'.
We have probably all claimed and perpetuated a lot of the same deception ourselves at one time or another, or even LOTS of times, not knowing any better, as that is the very nature of being 'deceived'.
A lot of today's so-called Christianity is not much more than a blending of many different religious AND pagan beliefs and superstitions without even realizing it. Some of the most sincere and genuine of hearts have been deceived to the point that they teach and preach what many in the past had to 'sneak in' and 'spy out' to infiltrate. Not that they don't still, just saying.
So very true Auntie! We each have had our fling with religion and keeping the law. Paul preached grace (the unmerited unearned undeserved love and favor and good opinion of God in Christ for us) Our works have nothing to do with our acceptance before a Holy God. Our works are as filthy rags without Jesus. Even for those Christians who have been saved by grace through faith but walk their Christian walk by works through more works.
Religion is a slippery slope. It sounds righteous and holy but is actually like dead man's bones. For the Christian., self righteousness yields nothing but pride. A prideful Christian is not a joyful Christian.