Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: deception

  • The Hypocrisy Virus: Be Careful Not to Catch It

    Passage in Scripture to ponder: 

    “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, He (Jesus) began to say to His disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:1-2)

    The Bible, due to the hypocrisy of supposedly religious people, narrated these words of Jesus Christ: “Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor is anything hidden that will not be known.” This phrase was recorded twice in Luke’s Gospel. In Luke 8, Jesus used this phrase after explaining the Parable of the Sower to His disciples (Luke 8:11-15). He then went on to say, “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Therefore, take care how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.” (Luke 8:16-18)

    Jesus Christ in this instance cautioned the disciples that if they had truly understood what He had taught them, then they were good soils, and they should live up to what they had learned and remained as such. However, if not, perhaps they were just pretentious, like the Pharisees. Jesus then assured them that whatever they thought they knew, had, or gained would be taken away from them. Clearly, this is judgment language. Conversely, if they had remained faithful to His Word, Jesus assured them that more would be given to them.

    Life’s challenges can either make or break an individual. As the saying goes, “The true color of the paint is only revealed after being stirred.” Similarly, our Christian walk would only be evident after we have steadfastly adhered to God’s word, even amidst hardships or blessings that life may bring.

    The Book of Proverbs emphasizes that every word of God is true and serves as a shield for those who seek refuge in Him. However, it cautions against adding to His words, as this may lead to God’s rebuke and be found a liar. The author of Proverbs presents two requests: to deny them not during his lifetime; that is, to remove falsehood and lying from his life. He also asks for neither poverty nor riches but only the food that is necessary for him, lest he become excessively satisfied and deny God or, conversely, become impoverished and resort to stealing, profaning the name of his God. (Proverbs 30:5-9)

    This proverb has been a guiding principle in my life since I became a Christian, especially now that I am a servant of God’s Word.

    The true blessing in life is to know Jesus Christ. Once we have known Him, we should yearn for an intimate relationship with Him. This intimacy is not achieved through our imagination or second-guessing of who Jesus is. Instead, we have the Bible, God’s revelation of Himself, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, which teach us about Him. 

    In John’s Gospel, Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-7)

    If it weren’t for the Scriptures, we would be left questioning or debating without end about Jesus or the path to God the Father. We wouldn’t have the correct theology, knowing that the only way to the Father is through Christ Jesus, not through Mary or any other individual who was made a saint by a religious order. The Bible twice states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25). Wouldn’t it be ironic to discover the truth only after it was too late? This is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus; check out Luke 16:19-31.

    In the Gospel of John, Thomas, at one point, did not have a proper theology of God and of Jesus Christ. He was confused, unable to relate to the circumstances at hand, after Jesus told them He alone is the way to the Father. Wouldn’t it be much more confusing today, now that Jesus no longer physically walks on Earth? No wonder we have different sects or denominations today. How would anyone desiring to believe in Jesus Christ discern which teachings are true? Isn’t proper theology then a must? 

    Scripture affirms that God continues to communicate with us, but only through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2). However, this communication is no longer in His incarnated state or manifested in a theophany, but rather through His Word, the Bible. Scripture declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

    If Thomas, who had the privilege of directly seeing and hearing from Jesus Christ, found it so difficult to comprehend, certainly wouldn’t it be so much more today without theology or proper teachings of the Bible? Especially in today’s digital age, where both true and false narratives are prevalent, how can we discern which one to believe? Isn’t it paramount that we grasp the fundamental principles of our faith? Paul emphasized that the sole foundation of Christianity lies in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:11), and this should be the guiding principle in building His church (1 Corinthians 3:9-10; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22). 

    In Luke 12, the second time Jesus used the phrase, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known (Luke 12:2)”, it can be interpreted in two ways. First, in conjunction with its immediate preceding context, Luke 12:1, Jesus was reassuring the disciples that the pretentious religiosity of the Pharisees, which they should avoid, would be exposed. On the other hand, it could also be that the disciples’ accurate proclamations of His Gospel would not be in vain (Luke 12:2-3). Consequently, although they might be in danger due to the Pharisaic evil influence and plots, they need not fear man (Luke 12:4-7). 

    As Christians, especially those who have the responsibility of sharing Christ Jesus full-time, we should not be hesitant or uncertain about what we confess, share, and teach. The reality of our faith and ministry profoundly impacts our eternity, and those who listens to us (1 Timothy 4:16). God is not a man who judges from a distance; He witnesses everything and comprehends the true state of our hearts. While some may deceive, as the Pharisees did during Jesus’ time, no one can outsmart God. 

    Being a doctor, engineer, architect, judge, or any other profession is a serious matter because it can be critical to one’s health or life. This is especially true for Christians, especially pastors or teachers of the Bible, because it involves not just this temporal existence but eternity. The Christian life and ministry are not just fancy things to do and discard without consequences. God judges our intentions, and He knows the true condition of our hearts, whether we are doing it for Him or for some other worldly reason. Paul declared, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple (i.e., the church) and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their craftiness,’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’” (1 Corinthians 3:16-20)

    There’s a reason why Jesus advised His disciples to be wary of the influence of the Pharisees. It’s contagious and can spread rapidly, like a virus. Any professing Christian who has fallen into that state should seek God’s mercy and grace, hoping to be awakened before it’s too late. Yet, the irony of life is that regret is always too late. 

    Christians who are burdened to bring back their sliding brethren should do so with caution. Scripture said, “If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Gal 6:1, NLT)

    Christians who have remained steadfast in God’s word should always be watchful, like in the pandemic days. We armed ourselves with preventive measures and distanced from those who have contracted COVID-19, especially the vulnerable. Since it’s easily transmissible, likewise Pharisaic trends, pretentious as they are, can be persuasive and pervasive, catching you flat-footed, compromising your faith and eternity. 

    Once again, I wrote this article in the spirit of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 2:4, with affliction, pain, and love for whoever it may concern.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

    Note: All underlined or highlighted words can be clicked for definitions or Scripture references.

  • Is it Sound Teaching?

    I’ve heard of many preachers and read devotionals that emphasize Peter’s conviction, love, and commitment to Jesus Christ in John 21. In this passage, Jesus asks Peter three times, “Do you love Me more than these?” (John 21:15-17). However, have we ever considered what Jesus meant by “these”?

    To clarify, let’s examine the context of the story. In John 20:21, Jesus commands Peter and the other apostles to go out and preach the Gospel, saying, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so I am sending you.” This took place in Jerusalem soon after Christ’s resurrection.

    Jesus first appeared to His apostles twice in Jerusalem. The first time is detailed in John 20:19-23, and the second time, with Thomas present, is described in John 20:24-29. John 21 aligns with Matthew 28:9-10, which summarizes the events of John 20:19-29, where Jesus instructs them to leave Jerusalem and wait for Him in Galilee, promising another appearance. Acts 1:3 informs us that Jesus appeared to the apostles multiple times over forty days, teaching them about the kingdom of God, His last appearance being in Jerusalem before His ascension to heaven (Acts 1:3-11).

    The setting of John 21:1-3 is in Galilee, where Peter decided to go fishing with some of the other disciples, many of whom were fishermen by trade. This leads me to pose a few questions: Was Peter faithful to the words of Christ? Didn’t Peter and the other apostles receive the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them in Jerusalem (John 20:19-22)? Hadn’t Jesus called Peter to follow Him even before His crucifixion, death, and resurrection (John 1:40-43)? Previously, when Jesus first called them, He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-17). Notice that John 21 begins by telling us that Peter and the others went fishing.

    Returning to the central question: When Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me more than these?”, was He referring to Peter’s former profession or perhaps his need for provision and food? Did Peter forget Jesus’ teaching on trusting God for provision when they were initially sent out in Matthew 10? Jesus instructed, “Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food” (Matthew 10:9-10). Once more, it’s worth noting that Christ’s words address the apostles, urging them not to be concerned about food or provisions. Jesus is fully aware of their needs.

    In some ways, Peter seems to have faltered. So, did Peter prove himself faithful in John 21?

    Now, consider the remarkable catch of fish described in John 21:5-11. After fishing all night and catching nothing (John 21:3-4), it was only after Jesus told them to cast their net on the right side of the boat that they caught a large number of fish. Was it because they cast their net on the right side that they succeeded? I am convinced they tried both sides throughout the night without success. This substantial catch teaches us that it was ultimately Jesus’ work, reinforcing the lesson that God is our true provider, as emphasized in Matthew 6:24-33.

    Here are the highlights of Jesus’ teaching:

    • You cannot serve both God and money. Jesus urges us to let go of our anxieties about life—what we will eat or drink, and what we will wear. Is life not more than food and the body more than clothing? Consider the birds of the air: they neither sow, reap, nor gather into barns, yet our heavenly Father provides for them. Are we not of greater value than they?
    • Reflect on the lilies of the field and their effortless growth: they neither toil nor spin. Yet, Jesus assure us, even Solomon in all his glory was not adorned like one of these. If God so beautifully clothes the grass of the field, which flourishes today and is cast into the oven tomorrow, will He not care for us even more, O you of little faith?
    • Do not be anxious, asking, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”, for those who do not believe chase after such things, yet our heavenly Father knows our needs. Instead, .

    David, in one of his Psalms, stated, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalms 37:25).

    Peter, along with the other apostles and ourselves, must learn to have faith so that we may faithfully follow Jesus Christ and honor His Word.

    John’s narrative does not end here. For the third time, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:17). After Peter’s response, Jesus assured him that he would be faithful and would ultimately die a martyr’s death, reiterating His call to follow Him (John 17-19).

    Hold your horses! Haven’t we been told by preachers and devotionals that Jesus used the Greek word “agápē” (G25) for love on two occasions? However, on the third occasion, out of compassion for Peter’s inability to meet such a high standard of love, Jesus used “phileō” instead. A quick search using a lexicon reveals that when Jesus spoke of God’s love for Him, He also used “phileō.” This is evident in John 5:20: “For the Father loves (phileō) the Son and shows Him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel.” Therefore, Jesus didn’t lower His demand for love from Peter; the same can be said for us. It is a myth to claim that God or Jesus Christ lowered His standard for humanity. If that were the case, then Jesus would not have needed to offer Himself and die on the cross to redeem those of us who believe, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21.

    Let’s revisit our discussion on John 21. No one can be truly faithful to Jesus Christ unless God performs a significant work in our hearts. Remember that God is the potter and we are His clay. Just as a potter sometimes destroys his creations to perfect them, Jesus—our potter—works on Peter and on us. Therefore, do not despair if you fail repeatedly. Instead, continue to heed Jesus’ call to follow Him.

    After Jesus revealed to Peter that he would soon be faithful, Peter remained anxious and impatient, eager to know about others. He asked Jesus about John, as seen in John 21:20-21:

    “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved (John) following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during supper and had asked, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’”

    In response, Jesus lovingly rebuked Peter while encouraging him, revealing His timeline for return as stated in John 21:22-23:

    “Jesus said to him (Peter), ‘If it is My will that he (John) remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’ So the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, ‘If it is My will that he (John) remain until I come, what is that to you?’”

    This was not the only instance where Jesus assured that His return would be within the lifetime of John and perhaps some other disciples, as noted in Matthew 16:28.

    Jesus declared to His apostles, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:28).

    Are there any apostles of Jesus Christ still living today? Perhaps they are just hiding away, reminiscent of the conspiracies about Elvis Presley still being alive in some discreet location. Alternatively, should we trust Christ’s declaration to His apostles that He truly returned, which contradicts much of what is taught today?

    Additionally, in Matthew 10, before sending out His apostles to proclaim the imminent coming of His kingdom, Jesus said, “When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23).

    If you approach the scriptures with an open heart and set aside any preconceived notions about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, you will find consistent affirmations from the apostles regarding this truth. While many people believe that Christ’s return is still in the future, Jesus has consistently stated that His coming is soon. However, “soon” was meant for His apostles, not for us.

    I want to highlight that John assured us his writing was truthful. In John 21:24, it states, “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.”

    In John 20-21, John assures his readers that Jesus is truly alive. He emphasizes this in John 21:14, which states, “This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.”

    This is the core message John conveys to his immediate audience and to everyone reading his Gospel today. Both Peter and John, along with all the followers of Jesus at that time, received the comforting assurance that Jesus’ return would happen within their lifetimes.

    As I conclude this sharing, I encourage you to consider a few questions: Could Jesus lie? Was He mistaken in telling His apostles that He would return in their lifetime? Or is it possible that biblical scholars, preachers, and pastors are wrong in asserting that the Second Coming is still to come?

    Your answers to these questions will reflect your understanding of Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus is the promised prophet mentioned in Deuteronomy 18:15-22.

    Here are the highlights of Deuteronomy 18:15-22:

    • The LORD your God will raise up a prophet like Moses from among the Israelites—listen to Him. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, testifies that Jesus Christ is the promised Great Prophet of God (Acts 3:19-23).
    • God will raise a prophet from among the Israelites, placing His words in His mouth. Those who do not listen will be held accountable. Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this promised prophet (John 8:28; John 12:49-50; John 15:15).
    • A prophet who speaks in God’s name without His command or claims to speak in the name of other gods shall die. If you are wondering how to determine whether the word the LORD has not spoken, know that if a prophet’s predictions do not come true, that message is not from the LORD, and you need not fear such a prophet. So here is the thing: Anyone who insists that Christ Jesus did not return during the lifetime of His apostles is essentially accusing Jesus of being a false prophet or a liar. Isn’t that blasphemy?

    I understand that this topic can be confusing. If you choose to believe Christ’s declaration about His imminent return, you may be left with many questions. I empathize with your journey and assure you that sincere inquiry will lead to understanding. Keep in mind that this quest for truth is vital.

    In conclusion, the Gospels teach us the truth about Jesus Christ and serve as an apologetic against false teaching. We should hold preachers accountable for their messages. John 21 focuses on Jesus, not Peter, so let’s refrain from moralizing biblical characters like Peter, Paul, or others. Do not let yourself be shortchanged. Reject feel-good messages that do not contain God’s truth. Always ask, “Is it sound teaching?”

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share freely, for you freely receive. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!