A crap called gospel

“And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2 Peter 2:3 ESV)

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV)

There is a plague that has overtaken Christianity, and the world. It is a plague of false teachers that preach heretical doctrine. A crap called “gospel” that is false, fake, and leading people to hell. Today, we have two passages; this is only to illustrate that 2000 years ago, what is occurring now has been prophesied by the Apostles Peter and Paul. They also experienced it in their time.

Now, this “gospel” is about you, and that is the easiest way to spot it. If a pastor preaches a message about you, your health, wealth, and happiness, it is most likely a false “gospel.” It is not about your salvation or everlasting life in Christ but your happiness and wealth in the world. A “gospel” of this nature is a destructive message that makes man the focus, not God,

not Christ.

The sad part is that most people want this “gospel.” They want to hear how good they are, nothing about sin, and how by doing works, God owes them. They see God as their “magic genie.” These pastors are exploiting those who listen to their false messages. They ask for massive donations that will “trigger the blessings of God.” Everything Christ tells us we should deny, these pastors make the center of their gospels. If a pastor preaches a message that could be heard by a Muslim or an orthodox Jew that does not offend them, it does not contain the true Gospel. The true Gospel is offensive to those of other religions.

These false teachers call themselves “apostles.” They claim God audibly speaks to them, going so far that some claim God asks them for advice. Really, an omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God asks a human for advice, rubbish, and nonsense.

The true definition of an “Apostle” is found in Acts.

1. The candidate was required to have followed Jesus during his earthly ministry, beginning from Jesus’ baptism by John to Jesus’ ascension into heaven (1:21–22a).

2. The candidate was required to have seen Jesus after His resurrection (1:22b).

3. The candidate must have been appointed by the Lord Jesus himself (1:24–25).

I don’t know about you, but I am sure the first two requirements cannot be met today. Therefore, to call oneself an Apostle today is heretical. We are disciples; all of us Christians are Christ’s disciples. As disciples of Christ, He calls us to spread the Gospel of Christ just as Christ called 72 to go out into the nations and spread the Gospel.

If one accepts Christ because they think they will be healthy and wealthy, they practice idolatry. They place the gift above the giver. The truly free gift of Jesus Christ is not health or wealth; it is salvation. The gift is God and being restored in our relationship with God. It has nothing to do with our giving, our works, or goodness; it has everything to do with the mercy and grace of God. Paul told us, “not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”(Ephesians 2:9-11 ESV).

Don’t fall for a false gospel. Seek the truth, the truth that we find in the Christ. It is there you will have wealth in heaven, the wealth of everlasting life in the presence of God. It is there you will never be sick or sad but will be rich in the presence of the glory of God.

Peace and Grace.