Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
Jordan Peterson said, “If you want to know where the dragon lives in a heart, just pay attention to what a person is self-righteous about.”
We have arrived at a full pendulum swing, where we are no longer the recipients of God’s loving grace but are now selling Christianity and Christ as a commercial spiritual commodity. Christ-Culture has evolved into the selling/merchandising of Christ and Christianity as a product for spiritual growth, all in the name of Christian ministry. This Christian consumerism movement has inadvertently replaced the foundational church doctrines of Christ with a syncretistic array of spiritual choices. It teaches that Christ can become an option of belief. Mood lights and dark sanctuaries are set up for seeker-sensitive services, where attendees can comfortably accept Christ without feeling pressured or obligated to do so. Christ-Culture makes everyone comfortable and avoids the conviction of sin, so that no one’s feelings are hurt. The essence of Christ-Culture is to ensure that man is in charge of his salvation by using the name of Jesus as a religious drawing point, but not bowing to the authority of Christ the Lord. Ministering in this form of feel-good salvation tries to grant that those receiving Christ can maintain their chosen lifestyle, resulting in a form of ministry that promotes carnality and secularism. Jesus is either Lord of all or not at all.
This culture often leads to a loose acceptance and interpretation of doctrines that are not Christ-centred. The name of Jesus is spoken regularly, but more as a talking point or a social cause to keep the religious-sounding dialogue moving along. However, we need to ask ourselves, “What Jesus are they talking about?” Gal. 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! Jesus Himself said that there would be many false teachers and those claiming to be Christ, but there would be a way to know the truth at the time. Matt. 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. If possible, even the elect might be fooled, but the elect in Christ have a more sure Word in their hearts to keep them from being misled. John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.
What is propping up the Christ-Culture cult? There is a combination of things taking place. These same people who get caught up in Christ-Culture are also easily persuaded to accept North American constitutional rhetoric as the oracles of God and believe the written governmental traditions to be divinely authentic as the scriptures themselves. Christian Nationalism, Mega church personalities, and false self-proclaimed prophets are some of the problems we are facing at this time, as these cults dovetail into an ominous future. I do not want to live under the whims and fantasies of the religious right, who often get caught breaking their own rules of conduct. I believe a lot of the church leaders who have fallen for the propaganda meant well by trying to bring the Ten Commandments into everyday pledges and voting for Christian candidates to represent them in government. Their aim and hope is to create a righteous country under God. Who doesn’t want law-abiding citizens and honesty ruling our lives? However, holiness and God’s righteousness cannot be legislated, nor can we bring the kingdom of God through world governments that try to make their interpretation of scripture the default setting of the country. The kingdom of God will be ruled by God and not some left or right-wing party.
Christian Nationalism promotes the idea that the earth is our final destination, and all our efforts are to go into the governing of this earth. We are not of this world; we are of the Kingdom of God, and our energies and work through Christ are to bring the Kingdom of God here and serve the Lord while we are passing through this stage of life. John 17:15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Jesus and the Apostles did not leave instructions for the takeover of government, but clearly stated that we were to pray for the authorities in government, which would allow God to move their hearts to His will. 1Tim. 2:1 Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. It does not matter if there is peace in the world, but for those who pray for their leaders, they will live in peace. Praying for the leaders of every stripe allows God to move within the circumstances of life to affect the hearts of leaders. Prov. 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Christian Nationalism has caused more damage to the church than we could have thought possible, and some pastors are strategizing to separate themselves from this national cult. I wrote about this recently, and it is worth saying again. There has been an increase in the number of pastors who are asking their congregants not to describe themselves as a Christian when sharing their faith, but rather to explain that they are followers of Jesus or followers of Christ, their Lord. They are no longer at peace being connected to the word Christian because this word no longer reflects their personal faith in Christ. The word Christian has been hijacked by the political religious right (which is a cult) and has created a Christ in their image, making Jesus look like a smarmy ideologue with no moral compass. Jer. 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.
Some of the stumbling blocks that come out of Christ-Culture are the rewriting of scripture to make one’s doctrine seem God-inspired. Anyone adding to God’s Word will expose themselves as a liar. Prov. 30:6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Taking away or adding to God’s Word has had a severe warning from the beginning, as evident in the first laws given by God. Plus, by breaking this law, we make it difficult to walk in the assurance of faith in Christ. Deut. 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Writing a paraphrase of the bible to help people understand the original intent of scripture is a blessing for many. However, to rewrite the context of scripture to suit one’s perversions is blasphemy. The Word says that the truth would set us free, and not the interpretation of what is perceived as modern truth, ie, what the distorter of scripture wants it to say. 2Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The language of the New Age movement has also infiltrated the vocabulary of the Christ-Culture cult. As those who are wandering throughout various spiritual camps have adopted the vocabulary, it is now being transferred to unsuspecting church members. People claim to be seers, grave-soakers, empaths, and channelers, and claim to have received extra-biblical revelations to promote false prophecies that titillate the immature and gullible. Rev. 2:20a But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches. The Apostle Paul asked the Galatians a simple question that we need to be asking those who are accepting these cult-like beliefs and doctrines, “Who has bewitched you, oh foolish cult members?” All of these cultic nuances and beliefs are manifesting through the sin of self-righteousness. That is the issue: the egos of man are competing with the righteousness and sovereignty of God. The moment we replace Christ who sits on the throne of our hearts with anything other than Him, we are dead men walking. We need to rearrange our priorities within Christendom and make our election of Christ the Lord, our only doctrine.
Prayerfully and regularly reading our bible needs to become an everyday devotion. Asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate the context of scripture would be our wise prayer to God. Studying to become familiar with the Lord’s contextual intent is the only way to remain strong in a relationship with Him. 2Tim. 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. As long as mankind tries to save itself, there are going to be more misinterpretations of the scriptures, because the heart of man is corrupt above all things and will always twist interpretation to suit or back up one’s choices, whether good or bad. We will need to be in a state of true metanoia when and if the Holy Spirit points out that we have slipped into a cult-like belief that we allowed because of our self-righteousness. Being aware of the cultic doctrines that are sneaking into the church is the battle of this day. Let us fight the good fight of faith in Christ’s righteousness so that we continue to hear the clear voice of our Saviour. John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
With the politics of the day those are timely thoughts. I believe many Christians have lost sight of Jesus returning, bringing, and ruling his Kingdom here on the earth. When I pray thy kingdom come I don’t believe that I, or some worldly government will be able to make it appear but that through the way I live my life I am representing God here and now. Displaying the love of God to those around me brings glory to his name and hopefully stir many to seek Jesus.
Right on Clay
Very impactful message for me personally. A lot in here reminding to (and how to) STAND FIRM in faith, to be ON GUARD, and what we are really here for.
“We are not of this world; we are of the Kingdom of God, and our energies and work through Christ are to bring the Kingdom of God here and serve the Lord while we are passing through this stage of life”
Thank you for sharing Sir Norm.
Heavenly Father, please use us, guide us, mould us, break our flesh and give us wisdom to discern and be strong through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord and saviour, as we fight the good fight! In Jesus name, Amen
Thank you, Kyler, for your thoughts on this subject. We do need to pay attention to with what, and how, we server the Lord.