“The following excerpt was taken from “Deception in the Pews” by Ron Graham.  There are links to the rest of the article and his site at the end.  I have talked to many Christians, one of whom is very close to my heart, who said “I’m surprised people believe the Bible at all, you know all those stories in there, are they real?”  This person is a devout member of a top denomination.  Goes to church whenever they have services, participates in all church activities, takes communion, tithes, etc.  They become uncomfortable with discussions on prophecy, God’s judgement, or sin.  They don’t want to believe it.  Another church member, exhibits the same distaste for Judgement, sin, and is prominent in the church, and on the board.  This person adopts the attitude, if your not a member, you don’t deserve communion, or any activities from the church.  And are frequently found at the local bar, and think it’s fine for their children to do the same.  But if you ask them, they say they are Christians.  Where does this come from?  These are just 2 examples there are many.  There are many Christians I know personally who think they go to church, they do work for the needy, they tithe, they raise their hands in worship to a worship band, they pray in tongues, but again, they refuse to talk about judgement, end times, prophecy, or sin.  They are frequently doing some of the same things as the above, and think it’s fine.  But they say they are spirit filled.  So I don’t understand.  God did say my people pay service to me with their mouth, but their hearts are far from me.  This is what He was talking about.  Well, Ron Graham has something to say about all this too.  So read below, and examine what path you have chosen.  The easy, broad path or the narrow path.

Deception in the Pews – Ron Graham – twotug@embarqmail.com

“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke 13:24. There is a prominent view these days among Christians which seems to have crept into the mainstream of Christianity. It is the view held by many professing Christians that sitting in a pew every Sunday morning is a good indication that a person is born again. Sadly, what we’re confronted with here is another of the enemy’s many deceptions.

There are many who sit in a pew on Sunday morning erroneously believing that because they diligently attend those services and tithe from their income that they are born again. Because they do good deeds and they are, for the most part, decent people they’ve earned their way to Heaven. The very fact that people have this type of mentality should tell the rest of us that a huge deception has infiltrated those sanctuaries. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. All the good deeds in the world will not suffice as payment for entrance into Heaven. The only way to avoid finding ourselves standing outside and knocking, asking to be let in, is to believe on the one God sent. “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:28-29. Only by believing in the One who came once and for all to reconcile us to God can we ever obtain entrance to that most glorious abode called Heaven.

There’s a catchy truism I’ve read lately that goes something like this, “Going to church makes you as much a Christian as standing in your garage makes you a car”. Granted, attending services might help you decide to say yes to Jesus, but in many congregations today you might be just as inclined to say no to Him, or nothing at all. Many things taught by cults and false teachers concerning who Jesus is quite often contradicts God’s inerrant word. A person might more easily be led astray than to be lead to the strait path and thus through the narrow gate which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

If we consider again that verse from Luke 13:24 it must be pointed out that the Greek word “polys”, which is translated into our English word “many”, actually means “a great number”. The numerical equivalent of that great number isn’t mentioned. However, we must see this as a mass of people. When combined with those who out and out reject Christ the numbers are innumerable.

Thinking we have a relationship with the One who created everything without actually believing who He really is, is folly. Many are caught up in this foolish mindset. Attending Sunday services and doing good deeds are not prerequisites for salvation. This incredibly pervasive deception continues almost unabated while taking a horrible toll on multitudes of folks around the world.

“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23. There’s that word “many” again. As I’ve stated, numerically we have no figure to place here but the language of those two verses indicates a vast number of deceived individuals all headed in the same direction, ultimately to destruction.

It’s interesting that we are given the words many and few to describe how many will perish vs. how few will enter Heaven. Jesus tells us few will enter in through the strait gate and narrow way. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14. Our English word “few” is translated from the Greek word “oligos”, which is another numerical term and means little, small, few, slight. In other words, Jesus will be saying “I know you not” to a multitude of very disappointed people. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. When we believe in Him we are acknowledging Him as God and Saviour and we can depend on our entering into a personal relationship with the King of kings.

Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees of His day, was very blunt as He responded to their disbelief “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am…, ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24. Call Him a liar, deny His deity, write off His word as myth while sitting in your pew and your eternal destination will not be what you’ve planned – you will die in your sins.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

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