Day 108
There are many false voices in the world today. By this I mean that there are many that preach a gospel that is not the Gospel. How can we recognize the false from the true Gospel? 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." Adam Clarke wrote in the 1800s: " There is a time coming to the Church when men will not hear the practical truths of the Gospel, when they will prefer speculative opinions, which either do no good to the soul, or corrupt and destroy it, to that wholesome doctrine of 'deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow me,' which Jesus Christ has left in his Church."
Do not his words seem prophetic? The true Gospel includes denying yourself and following Jesus. A sampling of television preachers and books in Christian merchandising centers would lead one to believe that denial of self has passed away; but it hasn't. Examine yourself by asking, "Am I denying myself and following Jesus Christ?" Are you following Christ or are you looking for a quick fix to some problem? Now don't misunderstand, Jesus does fix problems and He loves to do so. The issue is emphasis; what is your purpose in coming to Jesus Christ? Have you come because you realize that you were a lost hell bound sinner and could not save yourself? If you came for any other reason, you came for the wrong reason.
Our verse today tells us that a time will come when people will turn from the truth of the Gospel and to fables that make their ears feel good. I suggest to you that that day is here. Overall the American church seeks blessings and not the one who blesses. But for us, I believe better. We want the true Gospel that saves us and gives us hope for the future. We can rejoice today because we are aware of the "itching ear" gospel and we have said "No!" We desire to deny ourselves, pick up our cross (more on this tomorrow) and follow Him. This is the blessed life.
