Hello folks. Today we will be discussing a warning from 2 Timothy 4:3, which relates to the modern world.
Background: Some Christians (not all), especially modern churches, have gone so far from the Bible, that Cafeteria Christianity has become a thing in the past few decades, especially in hyper-partisan (on both sides) Christianity. Cafeteria Christianity is a term used to describe the practice of selecting and choosing only certain beliefs, teachings, or practices from Christianity while rejecting others. It is often used pejoratively to criticize individuals who pick and choose which aspects of Christian doctrine they wish to follow, rather than adhering to the religion's traditional teachings as a whole. The term "cafeteria" suggests that these believers are approaching their faith like they would a buffet line, taking what they want and leaving behind what they don't. This approach can lead to inconsistencies in belief and practice, and it may result in distorted understandings of Christian teachings.
Analysis below.
Date | May 12, 2024 | Cafeteria Christianity |
Verse | 2 Timothy 4:3 (ESV): "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" |
Explanation | 2 Timothy 4:3 is a warning from the Apostle Paul to Timothy about the end days and the attitude of people towards sound teaching. The passage suggests that as the end times approach, people will become increasingly unwilling to hear and accept the truth, instead gravitating towards teachings that cater to their own desires and passions. This verse relates to the concept of Cafeteria Christianity, where people pick and choose which teachings they want to follow based on their personal preferences or desires, rather than submitting themselves to the whole truth of the gospel. The passage suggests that this tendency will become more prevalent as the end times approach.
Using the analogy of a buffet, we can understand this concept further. Onions represent the truth, which can be stinging or uncomfortable at times. Firm steak represents the reading and understanding of the gospel, which can be challenging and requires effort. Nutrient-rich vegetables such as spinach represent the growth in faith that comes from embracing the truth and applying it to our lives.
On the other hand, avoiding fish represents disregard for Jesus, who is the source of our salvation and the foundation of our faith. Consuming excessive amounts of sweet junk food or desserts such as cake represent the ungodly teachings that cater to humanity's selfish desires, rather than leading us towards a deeper relationship with God. |
Societal Relevance | Cafeteria Christianity can be particularly dangerous during the modern times because of the abundance of information and teaching available through various media channels. With so many voices clamoring for attention, it can be easy to get lost in the noise and end up consuming teachings that do not align with the whole truth of the gospel.
Revelation 2 and 3 also warn about the dangers of false teaching and the importance of remaining faithful to the teachings of Jesus. In Revelation 2:14-15, Jesus rebukes the church in Pergamum for holding on to the teaching of Balaam, which encouraged the people to indulge in sexual immorality. In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus warns the church in Laodicea for being lukewarm in their faith and for not realizing that they are poor, blind, and naked.
Therefore, it is important for us to be discerning in what we consume and to prioritize the truth of the gospel above our personal desires and preferences. We must be willing to embrace the challenging aspects of the faith and to grow in our relationship with God through the nutrient-rich teachings of the Bible. Ultimately, our goal should be to remain faithful to Jesus and to follow His teachings, rather than being swayed by the allure of false narratives or the desire for comfort and convenience.
Here are 7 of the most common false teachings that we must avoid as Christians:
- The prosperity gospel: The belief that God will bless us with wealth and health if we have faith, disregarding the suffering and struggles that believers may face in this life. This teaching is not supported by the Bible, which teaches that believers may experience trials and hardships (James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-13).
- Salvation by works: The belief that good works or religious rituals can earn us salvation. The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:16).
- Denial of the Trinity: The belief that there is only one person in the Godhead, rather than the three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – who make up the one God. The Bible clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14).
- Rejection of the deity of Christ: The belief that Jesus was not God in human form, but rather a prophet or a good teacher. The Bible affirms the deity of Christ (Daniel 7:13-14, John 1:1, John 3:16-18, Colossians 2:9, Hebrews 1:8).
- Denial of the resurrection: The belief that there is no bodily resurrection of the dead or that Jesus did not rise from the dead. The Bible teaches that believers will be raised to eternal life and that Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-23, Acts 1:3, Luke 24).
- Doctrine of total individualism: The belief that emphasizes personal self-reliance, total self-sufficiency, and self-indulgence, disregarding the importance of community and the greater good. This teaching is not in line with the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31, Galatians 5:13-14).
- Anti-environmentalism: The belief that prioritizes human needs and desires above the care and preservation of the natural world. This teaching is not supported by the Bible, which teaches that humans are stewards of God's creation and are called to care for it (Genesis 2:15, Colossians 1:16-17, Isaiah 24:4-6, Jeremiah 2:7).
These false teachings can be harmful to our spiritual growth and can lead us away from the truth of the gospel. It is essential that we stay grounded in the teachings of the Bible and remain discerning in what we believe and teach. |
The main cafeteria has now served up what is known as inclusive , co exist , common ground ,
it is also known as social justice gospel . or all inclusive gospel . it has the same ideal behind it
but is presented in its own way unto the liberal realm and to the conservative realm
Its in politics , education and big time the religious systems and i dont mean just christendom but i mean all other religoins too .
Its a concept that will speak only parts of what JESUS taught .
and then use that to also show how even other false religoins hold to them concepts .
TO TRY and decieve us in time to believe somehow if folks are just doing good to one another
loving thy neighbor ,as they call it , then they do know GOD and are OF GOD .
It is a lie . You see even when they try and teach this concept of love your nieghbor
they OMIT SOMETHING HUGE .
Remember where it is written you shall not HATE your nieghbor in your heart
but that you shall rebuke and correct him and not ALLOW sin upon him .
WELL their version of love thy neighbor , accepts the sins of its neighbor , overlooks them
and often this leads to the acceptance of certain sins . thus i sure dont see LOVE in that .
Not to metion this has and is leading all to a concept
that there is no need to even PREACH the dire need TO BELIEVE ON JESUS THE CHRIST
but rather just teach the lost to do some good and lets just have common ground .
OVERLOOKING the most deadly SIN of all , THE SIN OF UNBELIEF .
so allow me some parting words .
If you had children and i taught them to do good to the poor
taught them to feed one another and yet I JUST LET them SKATE ON THIN ice
DIDNT warn them it was dangerous and deadly , JUST LET THEM DO IT
and then they do so and the ice breaks through and they drown , DOES THAT SOUND LIKE LOVE or very LOVING TO YOU .
NOPE . it sure dont .
WELL GOD is not in the business of accepting sins nor denying HIS OWN SON .
so why would we be heeding such men who have programmed and are programming us to do JUST THAT .
WHY would we leave one in sin and act as though there is nothing wrong with their sin , just shut our mouths
just let the church folks continue in sin . cause I DONT SEE ANY LOVE IN THAT .
the end of sin is death and disobediance to GOD is as REBELLION .
Not to mention WHY on earth would anyone leave a lost soul in Their own false relgion
WHEN THE END OF THAT IS THE SECOND DEATH . cause i sure dont seem to see any love in that .
AND WHY would we ever embrace sins at all . Because the last time i checked
GOD honors no sin , JESUS the CHRIST is no minstir of sin
SO then if one is running to another jesus who accepts their sins , GUESS WHO THEY AINT RUNNING TOO . JESUS THE CHRIST of GOD
but rather have ran to another jesus who promises them two things . salvation and THEIR SIN .
and boy do i got news on that . JESUS DONT DO THAT . JESUS never once supported sin
SO WHY does the church . JESUS wherever he went , even when invited to meals
ALWAYS corrected error IF or when HE SEEN IT . and yet today we been taught to just go with the flow
and talk about whatever makes THEM HAPPY .
well sin makes unrepentant sinners very happy . You see many are being programmed
by a wordly version of love to beleive this kind of love IS OF GOD when it CLEARLY AINT .
Never forget that satan can quaote the scrips . OH BOY HE SURE CAN .
but what is he gonna do with them scrips , TWIST THEM to imply A LIE .
wannna example .
Cast thyself off this hill , for it is written he shall give his angels charge over thee
and yet he used that scrip to promote a lie . HOW SO , if one TEMPTS GOD they are in DISOBEDIANCE TO GOD .
just like he did at the tree too .
SO allow me to show us something else . In the beginning satan did all he could
to convince man to eat of THE WRONG TREE . GOD has said NOT TOO .
TODAY he sure seems to be convincing folks again , ONLYI THIS TIME
its him saying this , YE do not need to eat of THAT TREE , of CHRIST
SURELY YE SHALL NOT PERSIH , for GOD IS LOVE he says . HE USES THE PHRASE GOD IS LOVE
to get one to think one will not PERISH if one eats not , BELEIVES NOT ON JESUS THE CHRIST . SEE what he do . he very wise my friend .