In these times it is easy to be deceived so much glamor and decor to draw folks in. It is getting harder to find true "Christ Living" folks preaching and practicing the Word of God! There is an old saying...
All that glitters is not gold , meaning that not everything that looks precious or true turns out to be so. This can apply to persons, places, or things that promise to be more than they really are.
Paul taught this in Corinthians...13 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. 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.
Being on top of the heap isn't always the best place to be...especially if that heap is built out of lies and deception. Christ was REAL ... no I take that back .. IS REAL. Those who are called by God to preach and teach His word are just as REAL. How can we distinguish the real from the unreal? Who glorifies who? In all my years of the ministry I never once took credit for what God did in the Church or my life...no brag just fact...we grew from a church of six to a church of 75 and it was all God! Souls were saved. lives were changed, families re-united, people healed, jobs were created where none existed, alcoholics were delivered, drug addicts were delivered....all without great pompous and parade.. all with Christ at the helm and that is that. Who received the Glory? GOD.
Do not be fooled into thinking the building will save you, our church was small in size, but BIG in Spirit, don't be fooled by some well educated theologian who has dozens of degrees on his wall stating that he is qualified to preach and teach the word of God... Colleges do not call men into the service of God. Don't be fooled by the music and fancy furniture, they can't save your soul, Christ was born in an animal shelter, most likely a cave, with straw to lie on, we do not need all that glitters to be saved.
Am I saying that fancy churches are bad? Nope, only if they rely on their worth instead of God, am I saying an educated man is not a preacher, nope, only if they rely on those degrees instead of God, cut to the chase, examine the lives of those in "authority" see how they live, if they live what they preach, checking the fruit of a person is absolutely within reason, what are their motives? To glorify God and heaven or to be glorified by those who are following them? Take the time to go around and kick the tires before you "BUY" into their philosophy, if they "shine" on the outside, does God shine on their inside? 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.
