Idolatry More Prevalent Than Many Realize
By Alfio La Spina June 5, 2022
Brethren are you sure you are following Christ?
- Are you doers of the word or are you doers of what a man says from the pulpit?
- Do you quickly agree without checking the scriptures, all the teachings that comes from your churches supposed headquarters?
- Are you told that you will only hear this here or that your salvation depends on being loyal to the church that you attend and you believe it?
- Have you heard this one, we are the only ones that know where the place of safety is?
If you do or believe any of those things, you are not following Christ you are following another god.
Bob Thiel said he is God’s prophet and Rod Meredith says he is God’s prophet. According to scripture that title is reserved for Jesus Christ.
Deuteronomy 18:15 (ESV) 15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen—
Clearly it is Christ that we are to listen to, yet the majority listen to these false teachers without question. Many brethren that I have spoken to when asked a question about scripture refer to what their idol has said from the pulpit, not what the multitude of scriptures clearly says about the subject.
Jim Russel Church of the great God, said that God’s Headquarters is in his garage. Rod Meredith said God’s headquarters is in his basement. How could anyone believe such foolishness but they do, many do without question!!
Tom Kerry said that “God gives him new truth and he and his elders pass them on to us”.
Scripture says;
1 John 2:26-27 (ESV) 26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you
have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
John 6:45 (ESV) 45 It is written in the Prophets, and they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
We also need to be very careful not to get caught up in the cares of this world.
Romans 12:1-2 (ESV) 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Notice that in this verse below there are two categories, worldly enticements and riches. Even if we are not rich the world has many ways of distracting us from the narrow path which we must walk
Matthew 13:22 (ESV) 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.
There are many ways to be caught up in the cares of this world one of them is sports those that follow sports and are involved in them are after the cares of this world. Many know the names and backgrounds of each player and they fanatically follow them, idolizing them. The time spent on sports has no spiritual value at all. On the contrary it feeds the carnal nature which is supposed to die. Scripture says that we need to renew our minds and by having such activities in our lives that will not happen.
It is very easy to be enticed by the deceitfulness of riches. We should work to provide for our basic needs and to give to others that need help. More than that it becomes a serious problem. Large amounts of money do only one thing, it entices us to seek worldly pleasures which take our minds of our goal of entering the Kingdom of God. Those of us that have been called out of darkness and have been given the Holy Spirit need to be focused on serving our Father and doing His will.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Luke 9:23-25 (ESV) 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV) 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
The traditions that they were teaching are all found in the epistles and other scripture. That is what we need to be effective in overcoming this world.
There is only 144000 that will be counted worthy to be the bride of Christ, to be priests and kings. When Jesus called the apostles they left their lives behind to follow Christ. Then from that time on they completely dedicated themselves to all He taught them.
We are to do the same as they did. It is a very intense and dedicated way of life. In Matthew 19:16-21 we see even though the rich man kept all the commandments he still fell short because his way of life was more important to him than following Christ.
Matthew 19:16-21 (ESV) 16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
The disciples of the early church sold their lands and gave the proceeds to the apostles to be distributed to those in need.
This is quoted from a Church of the Great God article by David C Grabbe
Beginning of quote
Consider one effect of their choice: When 3,000 people (Acts 2:41) started selling what they had, the buyers, not to mention their neighbours, could not help but notice. This significant financial movement testified to the believers’ dedication and commitment. As we say, they were willing to put their money where their mouth was. Their faithfulness was evident through what they did with their possessions. Their witness was even more impressive because the selling arose from their own convictions, not because the new church had instructed its members to sell all they had. The church leadership gave no directive on the matter or even intimated that the disciples should sell their possessions.
Acts 4 records events in the Jerusalem area at this time that parallel what happened after Pentecost:
Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
End of quote
Brethren I know I do not come close to that kind of commitment and I do not know of anyone that has. I don’t think there has been anything like it since that time.
Perhaps those that are counted worthy to escape the trial of the coming great tribulation and will be preaching the gospel during that time will experience that same dedication and unity of the early church. Scripture tells us they turned the world upside down.
Acts 17:6 (ESV) 6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
They were all in one accord because they looked to Christ to teach them, they did not look to some puffed up man who knows nothing and is taking the place of Christ.
Brethren shake off the lukewarm attitude and wake up before it is too late.
Revelation 18:4-8 (ESV) 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; 5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 6 Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. 7 As she glorified herself and lived-in luxury so, give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’ 8 For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.”
- We do not believe that God’s headquarters is located in our office, house, garage, or basement like many deceived COG organizations claim it does in their particular groups. We believe that God’s headquarters is located in heaven, at the very Throne of God Himself.
Revelation 4:1-11 - We do not believe in any way, shape, or form that we (or any other man on the face of the earth) is the head of the church of God. We Know (And Believe) that Yeshua (Jesus) the Christ of Nazareth, is the one and only Head of His church. (And He is not only Alive and Well, and not only Quite Capable of leading His church, but has been doing so for around 2,000 years now. “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Ephesians 5:23
- We do not believe that membership in the COG is determined by whether or not one is associated with any particular physical group of people. We believe that the True COG is a spiritual organization, and that membership in the church (or Body of Christ) is determined solely on whether or not one has the spirit of God dwelling within him, and leading him. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9.
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:14 - We do not believe that man has the authority (or know-how) to place members of the Body of Christ – The Church, into the many different positions, or appointments. We believe that God places them where it pleases Him: “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” 1Corinthians 12:18 We also believe that those that God places in positions within His church are not there to “lord over” the members of the Body of Christ, but are there to Help, Serve & Edify them, as Christ The True Teacher – The True Shepherd brings them on to Perfection.“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11, 12 - We do not believe that the government of God is a hierarchical government, as many of the church of God’s deceived leaders do. Some of whom believe and preach that God works directly through them exclusively, elevating themselves to a position of mediator between Christ and His flock. Telling the brethren that Christ feeds them “New Truths” which they in turn pass down to the members under their control (Utter Nonsense) (if you’re sitting in one of those hierarchical organizations, Wake Up, and Get Out before it’s too late).God’s government is more accurately represented as a “Vine & Branches” type of government. Yeshua, Christ being the Vine, and the rest of the Body (ALL the rest of the Body) being the branches: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
- abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5And yes, we believe that we are commanded by God the Father Himself to bring forth Much Fruit (Good Fruit). But like nature alone shows us, No branch can bring forth Any fruit unless it is directly connected to the Vine Itself. That Vine is Christ our Lord and Savior and King and Head of the church.
- We do not believe that a good understanding of the Word of God comes directly from the teachings of any man. We believe Scripture is quite clear concerning who has and who has not a good understanding. It’s determined much by one’s walk and not by one’s talk, and has much to do with whom we fear: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that DO his commandments Psalm 111:10 Scripture makes very clear who is justified before God: “For not the Hearers of the law (Torah) are just before God, but the doers of the law (Torah) shall be justified.” Romans 2:13
- We do Not believe that all men will continue practicing sin right up to their change from physical to spirit (as many in the COG teach). We believe that we have been called to Stop sinning, and to become Right (or Upright) with God. (Now as long as we are flesh and blood, we will Always have the potential to sin [just like Christ did] but we must remember that we are commanded not to sin,
But is that Humanly Possible, to stop sinning and walk this earth upright? Of and by ourselves, it is humanly impossible for a man to stop sinning, BUT, we are not by ourselves, if His Spirit dwells in us. With God’s Holy Spirit working in us, we have the power to stop sin in its tracks (right there at sins production facility, our brain.)
There are many, many places throughout both the Old and New Testaments, where we are told to stop sinning. Just to mention a few: 1Corinthians 15:34, 1John 2:1, Ephesians 4:26, Ezekiel 18:4, Deuteronomy 30:19 Many in the COG preach from the pulpit that man cannot stop sinning as long as he is flesh and blood, but that is not true. There was a man who walked this earth approximately 2,000 years ago, who did not sin.
But make no mistake about it; He Had the potential to sin, and was tempted in all points like as we are, but He chose NOT to sin. He was able to overcome the temptation to sin by the very powerful Holy Spirit of His Father. We also, have access to that very same Powerful Holy Spirit of The Father. And let us not forget, brethren, that Jesus is our Chief Cornerstone. He is the One that we are to Conform to, and He is the One (The Only One) we are to follow.
Now we can never say that we have no sin, because that would be sin itself “pride” but we do need to strive with our whole being to stop sinning and to overcome. It Is humanly possible with God Abiding in us, to stop sinning and walk this earth upright. (Jesus the man proved that!)
Jesus also told us: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God and shall not be hurt of the second death. I will give him to eat of the hidden manna, and will also give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Yes, him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”