Biblical Loyalty: Part 15b – Cultural beliefs and the Church – ‘Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit’

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:3 – “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Christians are encouraged to protect the unity of the Church with all diligence. There is the need for harmony and peace among believers.

We possess the mind of Christ; to speak, think, live and behave the way He did. And so individually and jointly, we have what is needed to walk and live and pray in spirit and truth.

Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians, gives this fundamental challenge to all believers: If we have received any consolation in Christ, if we have any comfort of love, if we have any communion of the Holy Spirit, and if we have any bowels and mercies in Christ, then we are to display this in our lives by being of one same mind.

In the world today, there are diverse beliefs and Christian faith claiming to be loyal to the Almighty God, however, with a very close spiritual look at them will reveal them as being filled with human (ungodly) wisdom, inaccuracy and evil origins.

Beliefs and Culture causing us to be disloyal to the Church of God

The enemy has not stopped and will not stop conflicting with the Kingdom of God and the Church; and this is everlasting, until the end.

Its mission is to encourage anything that will break that fellowship between man and God; by actually promoting beliefs, culture and traditions that have the power to pull man away from the presence of the King of Kings. Once this mission is achieved in the life of any man, it is massive victory for the enemy.

Matthew 24:24 says: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

This is simply warning us against those that come to us in sheep’s clothing, but, are “ravening wolves”. They lie using the name of God for their selfish gains, and ultimately, separate us from God. It also warns that, even the “very elect” can fall to the tricks/deceptions of the enemy. So, if the “very elect” are to be vigilant, then, who are the ordinary members not to.

How the enemy encourages disloyalty against the Church of God

• False Beliefs: The enemy fashions itself against the truth of who Jesus Christ is, as well as, his accomplishments on the Cross. The battle against the resurrection of Jesus has not stopped for a moment – the enemy doesn’t want Christians to hold on to the truth that Jesus is risen. By promoting false religions, beliefs and Culture, Christians can compromise their loyalty to the God and the Church. 1 John 2:18-19 says: “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”


• Hinderance: The enemy will never support anything that is biblical and godly. It has been like this all through the ages up till now. False prophets are used to promote false beliefs and Culture, and this is a huge hinderance to knowing and accepting the truth (Word of God), thereby causing man to be disloyal to God. When a man is far from the truth, but, close to false beliefs, how can he be loyal to his Creator? 2 Peter 2:1-3 says: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” Feel free to read to the end


• Disunity: The enemy is divisive and will always seek to tear believers apart in the Church from one another through diverse beliefs and culture. This brings about disunity among believers and this is where disloyalty to the Almighty God begins. 1 John 2:19 says: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”

Conclusion

The Bible holds the essential doctrine, and it clearly expresses how believers should live their lives. Obeying the Bible simply means loyalty to God. Anything that does not conform with the Bible (Word of God) is False. God’s reward for loyalty abound! When we seek God first, then “all these things” will definitely be added unto us. Matthew 6:33

Prayer

O Lord, help me overcome any culture/belief that can cause me to be disloyal to you. Amen.