"Night and day are both the same to a blind man." Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The distinction between truth and error...between truth and false doctrine...is not distinguished and recognized by those that are spiritually blind.
It is often the most prominent and the most well-liked ministers and ministries that fail to see past the clamor of notoriety and the seduction of popularity which so successfully blinds the eyes of those in the spotlight. This deception and blindness is also found in those ministers and ministries which seek the same prestige of the larger ministries that they seek to duplicate.
Matthew 15:8-9,14
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.”
If the measure of ministry success is the size of the building, the number in attendance, the roar of the crowd, and the support of the masses....then the University of Alabama Football Team is the most successful ministry in the nation! Give the people what they want...wins and excitement...and you can fill the arena. Give the people a chance to shout and cheer...and you can fill the arena. Give the people what they demand...and you can fill the arena.
The measure of success is NEVER based on the building, the attendance, the roar of the crowd, nor the support of the masses: the measure of success is ONLY based on our faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word.
Matthew 23:5-7,12
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi … And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Ephesians 4:17-18
“This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:”
Revelation 3:17 (Jesus appears to John to write to the 7 Churches, in this case speaking to Laodicea.)
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
Many will reject the truth. Many will not accept COMPLETE truth. Many only want the "positive"...rejecting the power of truth which is ONLY found by way of the WHOLE truth. Just as with a battery...power only comes with a proper connection of the "positive” and “negative”.
2 Timothy 4:1-5
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
In this day and age, people “will not endure sound doctrine”. The Word of God says that ENTERTAINMENT will trump TRUTH as the main attraction.
POPULARITY will trump God’s PRESENCE.
ACTIVITIES will trump God’s ANOINTING.
PRESTIGE will trump God’s POWER.
SELF will trump God’s SPIRIT.
HUMANITY will trump God’s HOLINESS.
GREED will trump GODLINESS.
CROWDS will trump God’s CROSS.
Matthew 16:24
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Titus 1:9,16
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers … They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Titus 2:1,11-15
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: … For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
God bless!
Ron
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