The Church of the Everlasting Christ vs. the church of right now

 http://www.kingshouse.org/category/false-doctrine/

The United States and many of western nations are considered 'Christian'.  But does that label still have meaning?  The U.S. was founded on a belief in God but that foundation has been shaken.  While the Christian Church is growing in many parts of the world, a majority of Americans do not truly understand the fundamentals of Christianity.  There are many confusing viewpoints, some with a hint of truth.  These false ideas are dangerous because they lead people astray and besmirch the true Church of Christ Jesus.

Legalism - doing the right thing to save yourself

In Jesus' day, the leaders of the temple were more concerned with following laws and appearing righteous than caring for people.  Later, the Catholic church distorted Jesus' teaching, uplifting Catholic traditions over Biblical truth.  Catholics believe baptism (not faith) starts the justification process, continued through good works.  (https://www.gracechurch.org/about/distinctives/roman-catholicism)  

Other hopefuls have a vague idea of God and heaven based primarily on television.  They see God as the eternal scorekeeper.  If your pluses outweigh your minuses, you make it to heaven.  

Jesus warned many times against doing the right thing for the wrong reason.  He is the way to salvation--belief in Jesus as the son of God sent to die in our place. (John 3:16, John 14:6)

Universalism - do what feels right to you

Another trend today is universalism or spiritualism.  This purports that we should look internally to find truth, there is no set truth for everyone.  There are many paths to God/Enlightenment/Heaven.  There is no hell nor Satan.  There is no danger of eternal damnation, but instead people should look for the good in everyone.  This has superficial appeal of inclusiveness.  This viewpoint seeks to discredit Christianity as old-fashioned, stuffy, self-righteous and judgemental.  The Anti-Christ will be a universalist, seeking to unify the world for peace while hypocritically persecuting Christians for their 'intolerance.'  Eventually the Anti-Christ will require all to worship him.

In Romans 3, Paul discusses God's authority to judge us and shows how God's law reveals our sin; vs 20 'Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.' and vs 23-24 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.'

Note that as Christians, it is not our job to judge others and put them down, but to point to God's righteousness and loving grace. 

False Teaching 

False prophets add their own philosophies to the Word of God, claiming to have divine inspiration.  RLDS, Christian Scientist, cult leaders all slander Christian ideals.  Mormans add additional teachings, denigrate the Holy Trinity and Jesus Christ.  Jehovah's Witness distort the truth of the Bible by changing it (The New World Translation.)  Christian Science claims that false beliefs cause sin and disease--Man is not matter but part of the divine mind.  These distortions of the truth can easily confuse someone without a solid trust and knowledge of the Word of God.

Buy a ticket to heaven 

Others espouse the Bible and outwardly believe in Jesus and do the right things, yet still fall short of true salvation.

"Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’"(Matt 7: 22-23)

The problem is that these type of people were just checking the boxes, seeking a 'just in case' eternal insurance policy, or trying to sneak through at the last minute.  They claim to know Jesus, but never had a change of heart.  Perhaps they never truly repented, never gave over control to Jesus.  Perhaps they sought honor, fame or wealth for themselves over God's glory.

Jesus said that judge not, lest you be judged...We will be forgiven in the same way we forgive others.  For those who proclaim His name before men, He will proclaim them before His Father in Heaven.

James asks, 'What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?...But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.... Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did....As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:14,18-19, 21-22, 6)  

The belief in God and Jesus by the demons does not save them; they harbor unrepentant pride.  Abraham showed his faith in God through his actions.  He did not withhold his son as God commanded because he believed God's promise to protect his family.  James knew that if we do not act according to God's commands, we do not truly believe that he is in charge, loves us, and will work everything for our good!

True Church - Followers of Jesus Christ

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Matt 7: 13-14)

Jesus says that you will know them by their fruit-- 'Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.' (Matt 7:19)  We are to make progress for God's Kingdom.  Do not hide your talent but invest it for a heavenly harvest!

Followers of Christ believe Jesus is the son of God, that He died in our place and rose again and reigns in heaven.  Followers repent of their sins (turn away from them.)  Does that mean Christians never make a mistake?  No, but the pattern of their lives is righteousness.  This happens when they allow the Holy Spirit to change them and guide them--to break-down 'strongholds' like pride, selfishness, addiction and materialism.  

Followers seek to know God more by reading the Bible and praying.  They seek to fellowship with other believers, help those in need and share the gospel (the good news of Jesus).  They are characterized by fruits of the spirit like love, joy, forgiveness and peace.

*****

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’"  (Matt 25:34-40)