RSS

Monthly Archives: January 2024

Cult-Like Christians

08 Jan
Cult-Like Christians

We’ve been going through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. He’s dealing with believers who have been infiltrated by those of the Gnostic cult.

Here’s the problem we face, even in our generation. There are many Christians who, even though they don’t leave and join a cult, they start acting very cult-like. They seem to make our walk with God more about actions and less about relationship with the Father.

Paul explains.

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions.

Colossians 2:18 NIV

I’m sure you’ve been around believers who make their walk more about their experiences than their intimacy with Christ and His Word. The phrase, false humility, means putting yourself down without thinking about what you’re doing.

But, the biggest problem for many Christians is the second part. Paul talks about the worship of angels. I don’t believe that he’s talking about the spiritual beings that we call angels.

That word, angel, is actually the word, messenger, in the Greek language. We should only use it for the celestial beings when it’s obvious – like when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary.

Elsewhere in Scripture, this word refers to messengers of the Word of God. I’m talking about pastors and evangelists. (Notice that the word “angel” is part of this word.)

Too often I see the worship of man in the body of Christ. We follow a person’s teaching without ever questioning whether it agrees with the Word of God or not. It’s very healthy to fact-check what you’re listening to.

Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Acts 17:11 NIV

These Berean Christians were called, noble. They even fact-checked Paul to make sure he was speaking the truth of God’s Word.

The unfortunate thing is that cult-like believers will follow a man closer than they are following Christ. The result can be catastrophic to your spiritual walk.

He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Colossians 2:19 NIV

Paul says that this type of man-worship can cause you to lose connection with the Head – Christ. But it’s our connection with Christ that causes our growth. If you’re simply following a man’s teaching, then your spiritual growth will be stunted. That’s where many find themselves in this generation.

We need to take inventory of our spiritual lives. What am I doing to maintain growth in the spirit? Am I developing more intimacy with Christ? Am I getting more of His Word in my heart?

My answer to these questions will make all the difference. Don’t get caught-up in a cult-like Christian experience.

Question: How do you maintain your spiritual growth?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 8, 2024 in Leadership, Legalism, Ministry, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Relationship is Better Than Rules

05 Jan
Relationship is Better Than Rules

We’re looking at the book of Colossians. In my last post I talked about the power of the cross of Christ. It was there that He won the victory for our salvation. Today, I want to write about another aspect of those verses.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:13-15 NIV

This passage makes it abundantly clear that on the cross, Christ canceled – obliterated, blotted out – the rule book. God no longer wants us to follow Him by rule, but by the Spirit.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

1 Corinthians 15:56 NIV

This verse tells me that all of Satan’s so-called power comes from the law. His only mode of attack is to enforce the law. That’s the power of his weaponry.

This verse also shows the basis of how Christ could disarm the demonic forces. On the cross, Christ obliterated the power source of the enemy. Satan’s kingdom is now an army of unloaded guns.

The only power they have is the power we give them, by subjecting ourselves, once again, to the law. That’s the trouble with our human nature. We all want rules. We’d rather someone tell us, “Do this.”, than to spend time with the Father and seek His will.

In the past, I’ve shared about how following the apostles teaching as a rule opens us up to the sin of pride.

Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.

1 Corinthians 4:6 NIV

Here, Paul tells us that this is why many speak arrogantly against one another. Pride is the sin that caused the devil to fall from the place he was created for.

Don’t let subjection to the law ruin your walk with God. The tendency of using the Bible as a rule-book causes many divisions and problems in the Body of Christ.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:16-17 NIV

Using the Bible as a rule book causes most of the arguments we see between believers. We get so passionate about our own pet rules. It’s all talked about in this verse.

Believers argue about what Christians can or cannot eat and drink. There are controversies over whether or not to celebrate Christmas; or whether to worship God on Saturday or Sunday. None of these issues have any place under the New Covenant.

The reality is that God wants a relationship with His children. He’s not looking for robots. The Lord wants us to seek time with Him so that He can teach us to follow Him.

I realize that I’ve had to deal with this subject very quickly here. But I’m sure I’ll get back to it again in future posts.

Question: What divisions have you seen in the church over what the “rules” are?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 5, 2024 in Faith, Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk

 

Tags: , , , , ,

The Victorious Cross

03 Jan
The Victorious Cross

I’m continuing my study through Paul’s letter to the Colossian church. In my last post, we looked at God’s act of forgiveness through Christ. Now I want to take this a step further. I’ll start with the verses from last time and add one more.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:13-15

Now Paul brings it all back to the cross. This is one of the most important truths in Christianity. Sometimes we overlook it. Let’s see exactly what happened on the cross.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
Galatians 3:13

The Messiah had to go to the cross – it was a law hidden in the mind of God from eternity past. It was also a law that whoever hung on a cross was under a curse. So, Jesus had to take a curse with Him to the cross.

One of the greatest truths I can think of is this – He had no curse of His own, so Christ took our curse to the cross with Him that day. On top of all that, He took our transgressions with Him as well. What a glorious day that was! The devil had no clue what was about to be unleashed in that hour when Christ declared, “It is finished.”

We are now restored to right fellowship with God, because of the work done on the cross. I only need to accept it by faith in Jesus Christ. I don’t need to work for it or do anything to make up for my past. It has all been washed clean by the blood of the Perfect Sacrifice.

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:14

The Lord didn’t only provide forgiveness and restoration for His people, the Jews. He provided a way of salvation for the entire human race. Even though I was born a Gentile – apart from the promises of God – I can now enter into the covenant of Abraham. Now, because of the cross I can stand as a child of God, washed clean by His blood.

Along with our transgressions, the Lord took the entire law of Moses, that had blocked the way to God for so long. Christ, Himself, fulfilled all the terms of it and left it hanging on the cross for all of Heaven and hell to see.

The Bible is clear that the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56). That’s the only foothold that the enemy can use against us. It was now done away with. There is now no basis for a charge of any kind against those who are in Christ. The entire kingdom of the enemy now stands powerless against those who know what was accomplished by Christ on the cross.

So many powerful events surrounded the crucifixion of Christ. The sun went dark as earthquakes rumbled throughout the earth. The veil that sealed off the Holy Place of the temple ripped completely in half. The ground opened up and many saints who had died were seen walking about during the next few days. We cannot even fathom the power that was released when Messiah was killed according to the plan of God.

We need a deeper revelation of the cross. Rather than a place of pain and weakness, it has become, to us, a monumental victory. If only we could understand and embrace the power that was released that day.

Question: How has the cross changed your life?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
Leave a comment

Posted by on January 3, 2024 in Encouragement, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

New Year 2024 – A Psalm for Israel

01 Jan
New Year 2024 – A Psalm for Israel

Today is the first day of a new year. As God’s people, we should understand the times we live in. That will help us to make sense of where we’re headed. I want to take this post give you some thoughts to pray on.

For many years, I’ve had a tradition when it comes to the New Year. I’ve only posted about it a few times.

A long time ago, I noticed that since 1901, the Psalms have pretty much lined up with what was happening in world events. For at least 20 years, I’ve been using them to prepare me, and those under my ministry, for the year ahead.

This year, Psalm 124, is absolutely on point. There’s no denying that God has His hand on world events. More than that, He’s still on His throne and in control. We just need to trust the Lord for the outcome.

First, let me say that this Psalm is specifically for the nation of Israel. It says that right in the first verse. But we can see right away that it applies here and now. It starts with a look back.

If the Lord had not been on our side — let Israel say — if the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive…

Psalm 124:1-3 NIV

Wow! I couldn’t have put it better myself describing the events in Israel in 2023. King David saw a clear picture, in the spirit, of what was to unfold. He gets even more exact.

…the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away.

Psalm 124:4-5 NIV

That was obviously the intent of Hamas. Of course, the devil wants to see Israel destroyed. But God will never let that happen.

Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

Psalm 124:6-7 NIV

Based upon this Scripture, I’m looking for a full restoration of the nation of Israel this year. They’ll be able to put this attack behind them and move forward.

But that’s not enough. They need to be evangelized. They need to see Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.

As believers, we should be praying for the peace of Israel. We should be interceding for their salvation. They must accept the Messianic message to fully enjoy the blessings of their God.

Then they can truly embrace the final statement of this beautiful Psalm.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8 NIV

My prayer for Israel and all God’s people is for a blessed and prosperous New Year!

Question: How often do you pray for Israel?

© 2024 Nick Zaccardi

 
1 Comment

Posted by on January 1, 2024 in Israel, Prayer, The Gospel

 

Tags: , , , , ,

Newer posts →