10 biblical teachings that are overlooked by Christians today

One of Jesus Christ’s painful statements is found in Matthew 7:21 where He says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”. Sadly, some people, have ignored the will of God in favour of what the modern ‘Christian’ world finds right. Seemingly the devil is winning as it is no longer a taboo to get a message from the pulpit promoting an accommodative doctrine to the flock of Christ. A common example is that of accommodating homosexual activities in church.

Next I briefly discuss 10 common things that have become the norm in our time yet it is far from the truth of God according His Holy word.

1. Charging for delivering God’s miracles. There are men of God who have fallen for the trap of demanding fares for delivering miracles of all sorts from God. These are the likes of healing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing bodily/skin sicknesses and driving out demons. Out of desperation, brethren become desperate and pay so that they gain the miracles. This is wrong and should be exhorted by all means. According to Matthew 10:8, Jesus Christ, who is the author of Christianity, forbids this practice.

2. Publicly announcing one’s offering for recognition. According to Matthew 6:2, we must offer and never brag about it, better to keep it secret if possible. In fact, Jesus promotes keeping it secrete when He says that when you give, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites     do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Matt 6:2.

But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Matt 6:3.

3. Leaving evangelism to pastors. We may not all be called to be pastors, deacons, etc. but we are all called to be evangelists. There is no selfish person than a believer who does not share the Good News of the Gospel to save a soul that is destined for hell. Truly even those that do evangelise are not doing it enough. The great commission is assigned to all believers. It is given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19,

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Just thinking about it, there are far more people in the world than those pastors alone can handle. Therefore, evangelising is every believer’s duty. It is far more important that the conferences, workshops, meetings, services and gatherings we host as brethren.

4. Trusting pastors beyond Bible teachings. Often people forget that pastors are limited just like every other human being. If you don’t know the role, God given capacity and positional duty of a pastor, you will most likely regret why you trusted one to give you contrasting advise to what the Bible teaches. Sadly, you will have no scripture to back you for such an erro. The Bible warns against trusting any man in Jeremiah 17:5.

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

I am afraid that many, billions of Christians, are regretting it in hell today for having taken advice from their pastors without contrasting such advice with scriptures. No pastor knows the way to Heaven better than the Bible.

5. Shunning to exhort wrong doers. Whenever you see a person do something that will lead such a person to eternal death, it is your duty to warn the person. If s/he listens, then you will have saved his/her life but if s/he does not, you will have saved yourself. This is according to Ezekiel 3:18-19. Surely there are all sorts of risks you expose yourself to whenever you set out to exhort someone, but whenever you do, pray for wisdom from God.

6. False beliefs that come with cults. Most cults are close to the truth but never the real truth. There are many cults that pick and choose certain portions of scripture to suit specific agendas. Take Jehovah’s Witnesses for example, one of their beliefs is that God is so loving that He can’t punish people in hell for eternity. Effectively, they do not believe in hell.

7. Adopting the once saved always saved belief. This is the belief that from the moment anyone becomes a Christian, they will be saved from hell, and will not lose salvation. It is true that accepting Jesus Christ is a necessary step in the Christian journey. However, walking in righteousness, holiness and the truth must follow. A life of sin after having accepted Christ nullifies salvation. I cover this subject in the article “The false teaching of once saved always saved – Romans 6:1”

8. Paying tithes is an Old Testament teaching. Some believers do not their tithes under the impression that it was an old covenant obligation. it is not surprising that Jesus did talk about it and therefore remains relevant even with the new covenant. I recommend the post ‘Jesus did command for tithing in the New Testament’.

9. Being rich is a sign of God’s blessings. Truly there are many millionaires who claim to have been blessed by God to reach their state. However, that in itself does not mean it is true for all of them. Many get their riches in dishonest ways such as bribery, theft, illegal trading, evading laws, evil money making screams, lies, murder, system hacks, etc.

10. There is no need for restitution because God’s forgiveness is enough. Jesus took restitution serious as it can nullify an offering. Hear Him when He said, ““…if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” – Matthew 5:23 – 24. Again I welcome you to read the article ‘The call for urgent restitution for all’

Whenever you challenge any of these practices, do not be surprised to receive a sharp rebuke from most believers. I for one would rather stand before God and quote a verse that influenced my behaviour than to refer to another human being. I love my pastor and appreciate the advice he gives but it remains my duty to validate whatever he says through the word of God.

Be blessed.