J. Warner Wallace, a cold-case detective and noted speaker, author, and apologist, says that in all of his years of being a detective he learned that there are three basic motives for committing any crime: financial gain, sexual lust, and/or power. He uses these basic motives as an argument to support the truth of the apostles’ claim of the resurrection. The apostles had nothing to gain by making the resurrection up. They didn’t gain power by doing it—in fact, they made themselves outcasts and enemies of Rome. There was no sexual motivation from the claim and there was no financial gain from the claim—in fact, we read in Acts 4 that the members of the early church did not feel their possessions were their own so they shared everything they had. The early Christians used their money to build churches and support missionaries. Wallace concludes that there was no motivation for lying about the resurrection.

“We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.” (2 Corinthians 6:8a)

Does this statement reflect your church? Do Christians today serve God whether people honor us or despise us? There is a dangerous current of political correctness and political agenda flowing through some churches today. The adoption of the non-binary and trans language is being spewed in church and referenced to Christ. It seems some churches will serve God only if people honor them and the second people begin to turn, they change their language to appease those who are offended. More and more gay pastors are elected to leadership in the church and just last year the U.S. Lutheran Church elected its first openly transgender bishop.

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” (1 John 4:1)

“These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

“‘Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act.’ (…) ‘Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:15-16a, 21-23)

We should not be surprised by false teachers. Not only have we been warned that there are many false prophets in the world, Paul wrote that he was not surprised to hear about deceitful workers in disguise because even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

“Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised. I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments. O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:57-64)

This is how we should live, in obedience of God and in pursuit of Him. The writer of Psalm 119 says they turned and followed God’s laws and they hurried, without delay, to obey His commands. Make that a goal for yourself each day, not just to obey God’s commands, but to hurry to obey them. Be firmly anchored in God’s instructions; in this way, you will not be swayed by the false teachers and prophets, you will not be fooled by the church’s rebellion. Stay on your guard and watch out for false teachers.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.