JESUS SPEAKING

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” (John 10: 1 – 5)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

This world is teaming with false prophets and evil men intent on leading people astray. Yet every sheep who calls Christ their master is protected from the influences of false doctrine. They know the truth so well that any pernicious lies are easily recognized. A robust familiarity with the words and teachings of Jesus Christ is a blueprint for the destruction of cult leaders, and the twisted beliefs they interject into the faith. Know the words of the Lord and you will never be deceived by the false pronouncements of unholy men.

Joseph Smith, famous cult leader and founder of the Mormon religion, claimed he had received divine revelations from God. However, his heretical teachings are easily discerned in the light of Christ’s words. For instance, one of the foundations of Mormonism includes the construction of temples; buildings that are considered holy places where only the most sacred of rituals can be performed. These structures however are an abomination to the Lord. We know this because in John chapter 4, a Samaritan woman asks Jesus where the proper place to worship God is (at the temple in Samaria, or at the temple in Jerusalem?] Jesus responded, saying, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” [This signaled the end of temple worship.] We are later informed by Peter that, “you also as living stones, are being built up, a spiritual house, a Holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” The Church is a gathering of believers, rather than the buildings in which they meet.

Any teachings that include the construction and use of sacred temples and holy structures are heretical and inconsistent with the voice, teachings, and example of Jesus Christ. The only way to understand what is evil and avoid being led astray, is to possess an intimate knowledge of the Lord. We must know His teachings and recognize His voice, that we may follow Him exclusively, as obedient sheep.

“Lord Father, Lord God in Heaven, we desire to remain in You, and to follow the teachings and example of our Shepherd, Your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, and bring to our remembrance the words of our Messiah. May we know Him completely, and never be led astray by those who seek the destruction of what is good. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!