MISPLACED FAITH

Some people blindly put their faith in religious leaders, assuming that their leaders would never teach a false plan of salvation. Yet the Apostle Paul warned that "from you own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them" (Acts 20:30). Other people simply choose not to respond or conform their lives to truth. Instead they listen to teachers who say what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Then there are people who have a zeal for God, but not according to biblical knowledge (Rom. 10:1-4). They have been indoctrinated by false teachers and refuse to believe the truth. Religious indoctrination is one of Satan's most powerful tools for blinding the minds of unbelievers from the light of the Gospel (2 Cor. 4:4).

It was misplace faith that separated Adam and Eve from God in the garden. Instead of keeping their faith in God and His Word, the deceiver became the object of their faith. Our gracious and merciful God now uses the same instrument of faith that brought condemnation to the human race, to bring justification to those who repent and believe the Gospel. When people believe God and His Word and turn from Satan and his lies, their legal status changes from condemnation to justification. The object of one's faith has eternal consequences. Those who are in Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit, never have to fear God's condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Divine justice was satisfied for those who trust Christ as their substitute. He is the all-sufficient Savior for all who repent and believe His Gospel.

FALSE PROPHET PRAISED AS HOLY FATHER

Millions of American Catholics have been praising a man who is leading them down the broad road to destruction with a false and fatal Gospel. By the authority of God’s Word, we know the pope is under divine condemnation for preaching a gospel contrary to the Gospel of God. The apostle Paul warned us: “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed“ (Gal. 1:6-9). The Gospel the apostles preached was salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone according to Scripture alone for the glory of God alone. The pope’s gospel is salvation by sacraments, good works, law keeping and participating in the offering of a false Christ on Catholic altars. Paul warned us: "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

"HOLY FATHER" OR "FATHER OF LIES"

As we watched the non-stop coverage of the pope's visit to America last month, many of the scenes appeared to be apocalyptic. We saw multitudes of people flocking to get a glimpse of a mortal man who was unknown three years ago. The national excitement for this false prophet was overwhelming as gullible people hung on his every word. Warnings were ignored from the true head of the church who said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Mat. 7:15). The Lord Jesus said, "I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him" (John 5:43). Clearly, the pope not come in the Father's name, but he arrogantly wears the title reserved for the one and only "Holy Father" (John 17:11). Tragically, most Catholics do not know the Word of God and their ignorance makes them easy prey for the worst kind of deception. 

TWO TYPES OF TERRORISM

While the world is focused on the deadly terrorists attacks by radical Muslim jihadists, there is another terrorist attack that has been going on much longer and is much more dangerous because of its ETERNAL consequences. As we mourn over the loss of physical life and grieve with those who lost loved ones, we realize these tragedies are occurring far to often and in far too many places. It is good to know that some governments have finally declared war on ISIS and are pooling their resources to destroy them before they destroy us.