Not All

Not all

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
Matthew 7:22,23

As a Christian of over forty years now I must admit I am a sceptic especially when it comes to preachers who say they’ve driven out demons or performed miracles.
I won’t say it doesn’t happen but I’m certain it doesn’t happen as often as some of these televangelist say they do.
There is a lot of fakes out there and it is these people that have given Christians a bad name.
Obviously from the statement quoted above Jesus thought that way also.
Jesus knows the heart of men. Psalm 139 states,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” 
                                                                                    Psalm 139:13-16.
When these frauds stand before God they will not be allowed into heaven. The reason they were fakes, bamboozling people.
Fakes be they Christians or in the secular arena are no good to anyone. What is sad is that Christian fakes turn people away from God.
What I would say to non-Christians is that like con men in the secular world con men in the Christian world cannot all be stopped especially it seems those with high profile in the media, and there are many.
What I would suggest is if you want to know more about Jesus and God. I would suggest visiting a local church. Baptist churches around the world in particular are good as are assemblies of God churches in the United States, and Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Canada are equally as good and honest.
You don’t have to go to a church service as such although I would suggest that’s a good thing.
You can however contact the church in your area and ask to talk to the pastor. All the good pastors I know will meet with you and tell you what they believe and why.
While it is true the Bible asks us to walk by faith. I think it’s important that it is if you will, informed faith, that we walk by.
The other thing I would say is never send money to an evangelist or preacher of any kind in the media without asking for an accounting of where the money goes. If they are not open don’t sent a penny.
This is why I always suggest that you attend a local church because they must, at least here in Canada give an accounting to their church congregations at least once a year.
The key in all of this however is that you at least, for lack of a better term sample several churches. Not all are alike. They range from congregations steeped in deep tradition and ritual to the charismatic and very contemporary.
So look around ask questions of the pastor and at least listen to what he has to say with an open mind.
Think about it.