Many Follow the God of this World

© 2021 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Which god do you follow?  The apostle Paul indicated that many are subjecting themselves to the god of this world who deceives their minds.  He’s actually that old serpent, the devil.

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Satan hates, and wants to replace God.  Though impossible, he nevertheless strives to do so. Masquerading as a beautiful angel, he leads evil men to pretend that they are apostles of Christ.

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)

It was religious leaders, serving the god of this world, who goaded Pilate into crucifying Christ.  Ironically, God used their wickedness to destroy wickedness.  Willingly yielding His sinless life and body to God’s judgment and death, Christ paid sin’s penalty for all the redeemed.  The god of this world cannot claim anyone who trusts Christ as their only Savior.

In our day, many religious organizations serve the god of this world.  As false apostles of Christ, they distort God’s Word by both adding and taking away from it.  Some even offer blessings in exchange for money.

Don’t misunderstand me here.  God has, in fact, instructed Christians to gather together in His name.  The Bible refers to these true gatherings of the Lord’s people as local assemblies or “churches.”  Leaders of  such gatherings seek to correctly teach the Bible and lead people to trust Christ as Savior.  Sadly, however, many gatherings have been taken over by ambitious “religious” leaders who dilute the teaching of God’s Word.  They establish themselves as supreme authorities and install themselves, rather than Christ, as heads of the church.  They are false apostles of Christ following the god of this world.  This violates God’s command to elders which forbids them to do this.  Instead, they are to feed God’s flock rather than exploit them.

“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

Are the leaders of your congregation truly following God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?  If not, they are leading you to follow the god of this world.  Study God’s Word, yourself, to find out whom you are following.

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