Characteristics of the Counterfeit GospelBy William HandschumacherPlease review Clarifying Our Definition Of "Counterfeit" before reading this article. As we discuss the subject of the counterfeit gospel I want to observe the warning Jesus gave in Matthew 13:24-30. In this Scripture Jesus shares the famous parable of the wheat and the tares. Jesus said that the field was the world, the tares were the children of the wicked one and the good seed were the children of the kingdom. The parable is an analogy that directly applies to our discussion. When the servants came and asked if they should gather up the tares--Jesus said that separating the tares would also "uproot" the wheat. For this reason both would be left alone until harvest--the end of the world. At that time the separation would occur. In my writings I avoid naming names except in special circumstances. Instead I share characteristics and evidences that allow Christians to discern some of these counterfeits. And, I make sure the characteristics and evidences shared are in agreement with God's Word. To do more than this would cross the line into an area that can interfere in God's dealings with his people--or as Jesus put it, "uprooting the wheat". The counterfeit gospel generally operates in three areas: The Gospel of WorksThis kind of counterfeit is spiritually deadly--meaning that it does not produce salvation if practiced as intended. You can find a detailed discussion of it in the book of Galatians. The Galatian church slipped into this practice and the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to address the problem. Paul rebuked the entire church and taught that anyone who preached or practiced this kind of gospel had "fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4). Paul declared this gospel as having its roots in a demonic spirit of witchcraft--or a "bewitching" spirit (Galatians 3:1-14). The gospel of works is in operation when obedience to any system of law (whether the Old Testament Mosaic Law or man-made religious rules) is a requirement for salvation (eternal life). These performance requirements can be clearly stated--or they can be hidden and subtly implied in sermons and teachings. This popular theology contradicts Christ's new covenant, where eternal life is "by promise" and offered as "God's free gift" (Galatians 3:13-29)."But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Romans 4:5-8 KJV)"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8)The gospel of works subtly replaces God's "free gift" of eternal life, with a salvation that is "earned" by labor, religious performance and church affiliation. Churches today practice this gospel by "mixing" it with Scriptures that teach about God's grace. This "mixing" is done in such a way that makes God's gift of eternal life appear to have additional performance requirements. This practice effectively redefines God's grace! By using this method a dangerous ideology can go virtually unnoticed by a majority of church members. Because Scripture is used and Jesus is talked about--it all sounds "Biblical" and right.LegalismThe "gospel of works" is also known as legalism. In its more benign form, eternal life can still be received. Yet, a legalistic theology subtly adds additional requirements to be a "committed", or an "authentic" Christian. These requirements can take many forms. Some of the warning signs are:
On the subject of clothes many well-meaning people say, "I dress up to honor God"--or, "I think a Christian should be a good witness by dressing sharp". Generally, I have nothing against this practice...except that God said he doesn't acknowledge our outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). He's far more honored by a "right heart" than a sharp suit. If this is true (and it is), why do we invest so much energy, time and money into something God said isn't important to Him? And, while I'm offending everyone--I've also found that the world isn't impressed with the way we dress if our attitude is self-righteous and hypocritical. They tend to pay more attention to the way we live for Christ than the latest fashions we wear in a church service. God requires certain things from his people, such as living like Christ, practicing love and being conformed to the image of Christ...to name a few. Our heavenly Father does not ask for these things so that we can "earn" salvation. Yet, they can be difficult to apply to one's life. And, more importantly, our failure to walk in these requirements does not terminate or threaten our eternal life because Jesus said that His salvation is not based on our performance. Legalistic people tend to set up an alternate system of "religious" works, which is substituted for God's requirement of faith in Christ. They convince themselves that God is somehow committed to operate according to the rules of thier new theology. Gaining God's approval and love by joining and attending a church organization is a popular belief and practice. This alternate works-based system becomes the standard or stereotype that a "committed" Christian is judged by. Millions of people believe that they're "heaven bound" because they attend church services every Sunday and live a good life. Yet, this view is dangerously flawed because it doesn't agree with Christ's new covenant. It's important for all Christians to evaluate themselves and root out legalism. Your life is only to be influenced by the Lord Jesus Christ. When you see how spiritually destructive (and deceptive) legalism is you will be surprised (and shaken) at what you find hidden. Even little things allowed in a spirit of legalism can be disastrous in our relationship with God. The apostle Paul called it "falling from grace" (Galatians 5:4). The Bible says that it's the little foxes that spoil the vines! (Song of Solomon 2:15) The Incomplete GospelToday, unity is maintained at almost any cost--and it always comes at the expense of Biblical truth. Disrupting unity is almost viewed as an unforgivable sin. Many churches will consider you as "divisive" for violating its principles. Yet, Jesus NEVER treated the truth with the kind of disrespect that it receives in some sectors of the modern church. He never sacrificed truth to attain unity, to appease his audience or boost the numbers in His following. The incomplete gospel can provide authentic salvation. Churches that preach it will boldly and correctly proclaim salvation by grace through Faith in Jesus Christ alone. They zealously believe the Bible to be God's Word--which it is. However, God's salvation involves more than just receiving the free gift of eternal life. Once you're saved (or trusted in Christ's sacrifice for your sins) God wants to equip and instruct you in His ways--you're now his child and in his family. He wants you to know and walk in everything Jesus purchased for you by shedding his blood at the cross--and the list is extensive! Our heavenly Father's desire is to conform you into the image of Jesus Christ. Those who teach the incomplete gospel commit the error of Colossians 2:8 and practice the principles that Jesus condemned in Matthew 15:3-9..."Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:8-10 NKJV)"But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and honor not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:3-9 KJV)If Jesus made these statements today many would accuse him of dividing the church and causing discord. Yet, it's words like this that demonstrated His commitment to truth. Many times, the words of Jesus infuriated and offended His listeners. At one point everyone turned away from Him except for his twelve disciples. I guess Jesus didn't fully understand some of the basic principles of church growth and evangelism that is taught in the 21st century.With persuasive speech and intellectual arguments those that proclaim the incomplete gospel will systematically "cheat" you out of the blessings of Christ by subtly redirecting your faith onto the false religious philosophy of man. The Scriptures are used out of context to support the philosophy--this gives it the appearance of sounding "Biblical" and looking "Christian". The incomplete gospel provides authentic salvation--but fails to give the necessary spiritual "equipment" to be effective in God's kingdom--and fails to teach about the spiritual blessings that belong to the believer "In Christ". In this area of discussion churches can exist at every point on the spectrum. Some practice Biblical truth to a greater degree than others while still possessing the characteristic of "cheating" the believer out of the blessings of Christ. In many cases, the "blessings" of the incomplete gospel are actually "the curses of the law" that are redefined or "repackaged" as something God wants his children to receive. Sickness and disease are wrongly believed to be tools that God uses to bring wisdom, maturity and piety into our lives--and therefore should be joyfully received. Redefining something the Bible calls a curse and calling it a blessing is NOT done deliberately! It is caused by a "religious" mindset toward the Scriptures. People who propagate the incomplete gospel sincerely believe they've got the truth and will zealously defend it to the end. While still providing salvation the incomplete gospel has caused unnecessary suffering and pain in millions of its followers because they never come to a complete knowledge of the truth that sets them free. Under this gospel it is possible to be authentically saved and at the same time walk in spiritual bondage. This is a tragedy. Warning SignsThe next warning sign is more an omission than a practice. The principles of blood covenant are left out of the incomplete gospel. Jesus clearly taught that His blood was initiating a "new covenant" that provided eternal redemption. By removing or redefining the principles of the blood covenant from Christian doctrine, wrong conclusions are drawn and believers are led astray in their faith. You can read more about this subject in the section entitled, The New Covenant on this website. Failure to embrace principles of Christ's blood covenant lead to unbiblical doctrine like the one described earlier in the paragraphs above--and briefly in the statement below. The partial gospel usually rejects a belief in the new covenant provisions of prosperity, divine healing and divine health. They passionately teach (or suggest) that poverty and sickness is God's pathway to holiness and piety. The reader will have to study Christ's new covenant and come to their own conclusions. |