Beware of the “Religious”!

John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

(19) If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 16:1-2 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.

(2) They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service

If life, and more specifically, religion wasn’t confusing enough, Jesus has to go and say this! We looked at John 15:18-19 in our last RTS. But the context continues. Jesus warns that not only will the apostles, be hated, they also will be put out of synagogs and other religious places for preaching and teaching about Jesus. But that we already know. The real disturbing information, and our topic today, is found in verse 2.

John 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

Jesus is telling us that much of our persecution will come from those that are religious. They will believe that their persecution is “God’s Service”. This does not seem all that surprising considering the the state of the world. But we are not just talking about the apparent strife between muslims and christians. Jesus and the apostle Paul also tells us that much strife will come from those professing to be Christians as well.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Paul clearly states when writing to the Galatians that there are not alternative Gospels. There are NOT multiple paths that lead to God. There are however PERVERSIONS of the truth ..... False teachers! Jesus says that the problem is that they will be as wolves in sheep’s clothing. Paul says they will be perceived by others as agent of the Light. They will not only seem harmless. They will seem as though they are doing God’s work. But notice what Paul says about these false teachers perverting the truth .... They will trouble you! Christians will be troubled by other religious folks, claiming to be Christians because the do not want to hear the truth.

Truth is an interesting thing. It will either make you change your life to fit it, or it will make you feel like a cornered animal that feels the need to defend itself. Unfortunatley these religious folks will rather act like a cornered animal. They will attack those representing the truth to defend their own position.

Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Are you in the truth or are you troubling those that are?