The Kingdom of God Vs. Man's Kingdom
There is a vast difference between God's kingdom and man's own kingdom. The kingdom of God is based upon God's righteousness; man's kingdom is based upon the righteousness of men who seek to build their own righteousness: that of works-righteousness (Gen. 11). There are spiritual forces in the world today that goes against God's people establishing God's kingdom on the earth by which Satan is the Author of false religions (1 Tim. 4:1). Once again the kingdom of God is based upon the righteousness of God's divine character by which man-made religion seek to usurp the authority of God's kingdom (Gen. 3:5). When it comes to false religion and cults is that there is a "plethora" of sub-Christian groups and organizations that provides spiritual "alternatives" or assortment by which people can come to God (Jn. 10:1-4). It is a religion of works; not grace that seek to get God's approval by which to enter into heaven (Tit. 3:5). The Only way by which people can get into heaven is to receive God's Free Gift of salvation by which people can be saved (Jn. 14:6; Rom. 6:23).
The problem with that of the righteousness of men are based upon what is self-righteousness; not the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22-24; 10:1-4). In order that sinful humanity can come to God is based upon God's Sovereign election of grace by which they are saved (Jn. 6:38, 44). The Father calls, the Son saves, and the Holy Spirit convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and judgment. Unbelieving sinners must recognize that of their own sinfulness before a Holy and Righteous God who can pardon sin, cleanse, and to receive that of the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:22-24). Salvation is God's free Gift whereby people are saved; not based upon human works or accomplishment (Eph. 2:8-9).
The salvation theory or aspect of the prosperity gospel's understanding of salvation is to provide spiritual "alternative" to avail one's faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 2:22-24). The prosperity gospel teaches along with the "Faith" Christian trusting in Christ for salvation is the promise of material riches (Gal. 1:8-9). Christ's death on the cross provided salvation; not material wealth added as part of the believer's salvation experience (Jn. 3:15, 16).
Also, the salvation aspect of the prosperity gospel is based upon a works-righteousness system by which the church has been taught to apply the principle of faith and prosperity to experience total life prosperity and in walking in "perfect" divine health (3 Jn. 2). The legality of applying the principle of faith and prosperity is based upon the "Faith" Christian formulas of faith of faith according to Mark 11:22 where Jesus says to His disciples, "Have faith in God." In so many words the Faith believer must have the God-kind-of-faith through the power of words and his or her "force" of faith in order to create their own world (e.g. Heb. 11:2). Visualization, force of faith, and the power of words are the doctrinal crescendo and ritual of the prosperity-faith movement. The slogan of the prosperity theology is, "Confession makes possession," "what you believe is what you conceive," "there is a miracle in your mouth, and "change what you think and your circumstances will change." Such "formulas" of faith according to the prosperity gospel does in fact resembles that of the AA meeting that help alcoholics to overcome the addiction of alcoholism. It gives the "inexperience" and naïve of people in the church today a sense of empowerment to overcome mishaps in life, but, gives them a false sense of hope and assurance. Eventually many of God's people especially those who are unsaved who make such positive confession of faith find themselves once again overcome by despair and disparity. The "creeds" or crescendo of the prosperity gospel's "formulas of faith" theory are manufactured by the system in and of itself by which it goes contrary to the clear teaching of scripture (2 Tim. 6:3-5).
The system of the prosperity gospel and that of its proponents are devoid of the nature and character of the gospel of Christ by which to deny people the entry of embracing Christ's gospel (Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 4:1-4). There are people who attend such "Faith" service day and day out, but, are denied the opportunity of hearing the message of Christ. Along with preaching the "gospel" they are given a set of rules and regulations to go by in order to experience "total" life prosperity in the "form" of such "formulas of faith." (2 Tim. 2:17, 18) People are taught within many "Word of Faith" circles that unless they apply appropriately the principle of faith and prosperity in the form of such "false confession" along with "sowing" a seed into the televangelist's ministry are ineligible to receiving the blessings of God. The "blessings" of God is not predicated some "formulas of faith," "positive confession," or "sowing" a seed into the televangelist's ministry, but, that God's blessing is unconditional (Matt. 6:24-33).
When it comes to the "system" of the prosperity gospel in and of itself it seeks to change people's mind; not their hearts simply because of the fact it is based upon a "New Thought" mindset. At the root of the prosperity gospel it is also based upon greed and selfishness (1 Tim. 3:1). It is a "counterfeit" gospel that is contrary to the gospel of Christ in changing the lives people from the inside and out (Gal. 1:8-9). In so many words the core beliefs and value of the prosperity gospel is that salvation proceeds that of giving; not salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 15:1-2ff; Gal. 3:1, 2-4).
Therefore, within the system of the prosperity gospel is that in order that people can be saved is by them giving money or paying money in order to get salvation so as to gain entry into God's kingdom (Matt. 23). When it comes to the kingdom of God is that such a kingdom is based upon God's righteousness as oppose to that of the prosperity gospel by which it is based upon man's own righteousness through achievement and human works (Eph. 2:8-9).
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. He is the best selling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation?" Darryl is Podcast Host, "Ask Darryl" by which it airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. As a apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy, "Little Baby."
Comments
Post a Comment