The apostasy is now Part IV

THE RED FLAG OF LAWLESSNESS

When we learn to trust the law of God as the only reliable measuring stick of truth, then the deceptions of the devil become as visible a man waving a red flag. Anyone who teaches against keeping God's law in any way, shape or form is either a deceiver or has been deceived.

A good example of this deception is the school of dispensationalism (Scofield, etc.) which teaches that we no longer need to obey God's law because we are under the "dispensation of grace."  By this device they ever so smoothly set aside the obligation to obey the Ten Commandments.  There it is!  The "red flag."  No matter what they call it, the fact remains that they have turned away from the truth.  There are others who teach that the law was only for the Jews (even the "Sermon on the Mount"). There it is again, the red flag of lawlessness.  To say that the Old Testament is not for "today's church" is just another way to get around God's law.

One of the most popular modern day "prophets", Hal Lindsey, has gone so far as to say that those who teach obedience to God's law are teaching "doctrines of demons."  In his book, "Satan is Alive and Well On Planet Earth," he said: "...seeking to live for God by the principle of the law is the first and worst doctrine of demons." On the contrary, God's word says:

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who WALK IN THE LAW of the Lord."                                                        Psalm 119:1

No matter how big the church, no matter how many scriptures they use to prove their doctrine, look for the red flag. If they have set aside even a part of God's law, they have turned away from the truth.  By the way, the Sabbath is the fourth commandment.  To deny it is to deny the God that has declared the seventh day to be holy.  The Epistle of James teaches that there is one law with ten parts.  If you refuse to obey any part of it, you are refusing the authority of the lawgiver.  James wrote:

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one, he is guilty of all.  For He that said, "Do not commit adultery," said also, "Do not kill."                                           James 2:10

He that said, "Do not kill" also said:

"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy....the SEVENTH day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God." Exodus 20:8, 10

Another red flag appears every time we are told that we are unable to keep the Ten Commandments.  How could that be true?  The apostle Paul taught that by the power of God, we who believe are able to obey that which we choose.  He said:

"his servants ye are whom ye obey;  whether of SIN UNTO DEATH, or of  obedience unto righteousness?"  Romans 6:16 ASV

In order to excuse disobedience to God's commandments, many will say, "Jesus is my righteousness!"  John has already answered this deception:

"Little children, let no man deceive you: HE THAT DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS." 1 John 3:7

Paul adds:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest,...  I FOREWARN you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things  SHALL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD." Galatians 5:19, 21 ASV

If you look closely you can see the red flag of lawlessness, because what they are really saying is that you may keep doing your sins and still inherit eternal life.  Or as Satan suggested to Eve:  "Don't worry Eve, even if you eat the forbidden fruit” ye shall not surely die."

That is Satan's message to all Christians, "ye shall not surely die!" Do not be deceived, only the righteous who have conquered sin by the power of the Holy Spirit will inherit the Kingdom Of God.

Harold and Donna Kupp