Truth Doesn’t Mingle With False Philosophies

Message:  Revelation 2 describes the vision John had of a visit to heaven where he saw Jesus and was told to write down the things he saw and heard. He scribed letters to 7 churches. All of the letters commended each church for the good things they were doing, but also corrected them and called them to repentance for other things. All of the letters had different things but they seemed to be idolatry practices that were learned and brought into the church from the influences of around them. These practices were intermingled and accepted within the church and Jesus was calling them out and threatening to remove their “lampstand” if they didn’t repent. The vision John had showed 7 lampstands representing the 7 churches and I have always understood those lampstands to represent their influence. As I read and write this right now I can’t help but wonder if that lampstand also represents their ability to see truth. What I am getting out of this is the importance of maintaining the truth and purity of the gospel. We can’t take other things and combine them with the gospel and still call it truth. I have heard many Christians refer to “Karma”. Not only does this come from the Muslim religion, but it completely undermines and contradicts the entire point of the gospel. Although most people who talk about Karma really don’t understand the origin of it, the whole premise confuses the gospel message that sins are forgiven and covered, not tracked and punished here on earth in real-time. This is just an example but there are plenty of other philosophies and things that we have been taught in life, but have confused the gospel but adding them to the gospel as truth. We even have to be careful with the way we have heard others interpret and apply scripture because often times these interpretations are wrong and people don’t know the difference so they accept it was gospel even though it contradicts the gospel message. We have to be so careful with what we here and this is why it’s so important that we read the word daily and read all scripture within the proper context. Otherwise we will be guilty of muddying the gospel with our own thoughts and added beliefs. Paul wrote most of the New Testament talking about the importance of keeping the purity of the gospel. This is as true today as it ever was!

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