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By Francis Frangipane
Truth
springs from our oneness with Jesus Christ. Truth is a person, not merely a
doctrine.
Over the years we have received many encouraging emails and letters from people who appreciate our call and passion for Christlikeness.
We are
both thankful and humbled by those who have taken the time to write.
On
occasion, however, we hear from Christians who have been troubled by criticisms
they've read about us (and others) on "attack websites."
These
sites often exude an air of legitimacy since they focus upon false religions,
new age teachers and openly heretical doctrines.
Yet,
many of these sites also aggressively misrepresent and attack true Christians
as well.
Who are
their targets? The fact is, if you open an Internet search engine (such as
Yahoo, Ask or Google), type in the name of a well-known Christian leader, and
then add the words "false teacher" next to his or her name, as fast
as you say, "Oh no!" you will likely find a number of sites that
openly, and often viciously, attack that leader.
Frankly,
having had my life and teaching repeatedly misrepresented by these attack
sites, I would not trust their opinion about any ministry.
As for us, when we hear from a disquieted believer, we usually
direct them to our "Statement of Faith" page.
Our
beliefs square with the Association of Evangelical's statement of faith. (Since
the Lausanne Covenant clearly communicates our doctrines, we actually use it to
define our spiritual positions: Statement of Faith).
We also
adhere to the truths stated in the Apostles' Creed.
This is
not to say we've never made a mistake or that all our peripheral doctrines are
infallible; each of us in this ministry is still growing and learning.
Yet
when an attack site fails to list even one good thing about a
ministry, you cannot help but believe their goal is not to discern, but to
destroy.
Biblical
Test of Faith
Yes, there are false teachers in the modern church. But let us remember that throughout history, true Christians have always been accused of heresy.
Yes, there are false teachers in the modern church. But let us remember that throughout history, true Christians have always been accused of heresy.
Jesus Himself warned, "Beware when all men speak well of
you" (see Luke 6:26).
He also
taught us to examine the fruit of a prophet. In other words, what kind of life
does a ministry inspire in those who ascribe to its teaching?
Yet,
beyond our statement of faith, the Bible itself provides a number of
fundamental tests to authenticate the soundness of one's doctrines (see the
book of 1 John, especially the verses that contain the phrase "by
this").
Another
important test comes from the apostle Paul.
He writes, "Test yourselves to see if you are in
the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" (2
Corinthians 13:5).
Paul takes all of Christianity and boils it down to one
irreplaceable reality: "Jesus Christ is in you."
You
might be wrong about the timing of the rapture or off concerning spiritual
gifts, but you still are a true Christian because you have accepted the living
reality of Christ in you!
Do you
see this? You are a Christian, not because you said a prayer at an altar, but
because when you prayed the Spirit of Jesus Christ actually entered your life!
When He promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you," He means He is with you forever.
The
devil knows you are a Christian not because you carry a Bible, but because he
actually sees Christ's presence burning within you.
It is
Christ dwelling in us that produces fruit, works deliverance and manifests
power through us.
Our
living union with Him makes us His temple; our connectedness to Him enlivens us
as His body.
In the
swirl of religious deception in our world, Jesus reduces all we truly need to
know about truth and error by focusing us upon Himself.
He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the
life" (John 14:6).
"Truth," Paul tells us, "is
in Jesus" (see Ephesians 4).
And
when Jesus is in us, He transforms us.
Listen
carefully my friends: many of these attack sites do not believe that
Christ actually dwells within His people!
Of
those who accept Christ as dwelling within them, an additional number do not
believe we can actually hear from the Lord Jesus!
They
will accuse you of heresy if you believe you can have a relationship with Jesus
Christ!
This is in spite of the fact that Jesus affirmed: "My
sheep hear My voice" (John 10:27).
Consider
also Paul's quest. His magnificent obsession was to know Christ, being
conformed to His life and death (Philippians 3:10).
Consider also the profound words Paul wrote to the
Galatians: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer
I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for
me" (Galatians 2:20).
Paul
wrote, "Christ lives in me."
The Son of God is not a mere doctrine, He is Emmanuel, "God
with us."
Eternal
life comes from knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom God has sent (John
17:3).
So,
when a number of these attack websites posture themselves as "keepers of
the true faith," then reject the reality that Jesus Christ lives within
His church, they reveal that it is they, in fact, who are walking in
deception.
Truth
So, in an era of great confusion, we must see truth as a person: Jesus Christ.
So, in an era of great confusion, we must see truth as a person: Jesus Christ.
Everything
we need to know about God, heaven, hell, salvation, sin and redemption is
centered in Him.
We must also apply our hearts in humility and focused faith to
become like Him, even as John taught: "The one who says he abides in
Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" (1 John
2:6).
Eternal
life does not come from having a religion about Christ, but from actually
knowing Him (see John 17:3).
He has
purchased our forgiveness, our healing and our well-being.
As our
Redeemer, He works all things for our good.
As our King,
He grants us His authority and sends us as His ambassadors.
He
calls us His body, not just His people, underscoring His oneness with us, and
also extending to us His sanctification and righteousness.
We are
His bride, wooed by His love to His side.
If anyone tries to convince you that Christ does not dwell
within His people, remind them of His word: "If anyone loves Me, he
will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and
make Our abode with him" (John 14:23).
Beloved,
truth springs from our oneness with Jesus Christ.
The vision of those walking in truth is "Christ in you,
the hope of glory" (Colossians 2:27).
Warn those who deny the indwelling of Jesus Christ that the test
of true faith is the reality that "Jesus Christ is in you" (2
Corinthians 13:5).
Yes,
remind them truth is a person, not merely a doctrine.
Francis
Frangipane is
the founder of River of Life Ministries in Cedar Rapids IA and has traveled
throughout the world ministering to thousands of pastors and intercessors from
many backgrounds. Francis' heartfelt prayer is to see established in every
city, Christlike pastors and intercessors, united before God, revealing the
love of Christ to their communities.
Over the
past decades, Francis has served on a number of other ministry boards. However,
in recent years he has gradually resigned from these various boards. As of June
2009, he has also retired from his position as senior pastor of River of Life
Ministries. In this more simplified life, Frangipane is devoting himself to
prayer and the ministry of God's word.
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