I gave the cashier cash for some new shoes. As I handed the cashier the bill, she grabbed a pen. I was somewhat intrigued. Then, she ran the pen across the bill. Now I was puzzled.
So, I asked her the purpose of marking up my crisp bills. Come to find out, this was a standard procedure to check for counterfeit bills and the marker is designed to spot counterfeit bills. Why would the cashier be concerned about this? The answer is obvious, counterfeit money has no value. Though the bill can pose as authentic for a period of time, sooner or later eventually someone is going to buy one of those markers and expose the lie.
Whether you intentionally use a counterfeit bill is irrelevant. If the marker reveals that you tried to pay with fake money, you will lose the bill at best, and may lose a day of freedom in jail.
During his ministry, Jesus often encountered counterfeiters. In fact, He Himself was accused of blasphemy when he said “I Am.” John 10:33: “The Jews answered him, saying, ‘For good word we do not stone you, but for blasphemy and because you, being a man, make yourself God.’”
Years ago, a survey of Protestant youths from many denominations was done. They were asked whether they agreed with the following statement: “The way to be accepted by God is to try sincerely to live a good life.”
More than 60% agreed that God is satisfied if a person lives the best life as he can. Many churchgoing people like this are confused on the most important question in life: “How can I be right with God?” Many think that sincerity is a big factor.
If you’re sincere, God will let you into heaven even if you are a bit fuzzy on the truth. But that’s like saying that a man who swallows poison will be healed, sincerely thinking it is medicine. All the sincerity in the world can be fatal if it is not in line with the truth.
Thinking that human effort and trying your best will play a big role into getting into heaven is like trying your best to jump across the Grand Canyon.
Satan is a master counterfeiter, trying to pass off on unsuspecting people a version of Christianity that looks pretty good, but is not going to be accepted by the bank in heaven. It’s traumatic to get stuck with a counterfeit bill, and more traumatic to stand before God and hear Him declare that your Christianity is counterfeit.
In Philippians 3:1-3, the apostle Paul contrasts true and counterfeit Christianity. In Acts 51:1, the issue was debated and the leaders decided that the Gentiles did not have to become Jews or be circumcised to be saved, but were saved by grace through Christ alone.
That decision did not cause Satan to give up his efforts to pervert the truth of the gospel. He continued to work through a group of men known as the Judaizers, who followed Paul on his journeys, infiltrating the new churches and promoting counterfeit Christianity.
While the Judaizers no longer exist under that name, the core of their teaching is still prevalent today. Paul calls these men, who prided themselves on their good works, “evil workers.” Counterfeit Christians stand alongside Satan taking pride in religious rituals as if they put us in the right standing with God. Pail calls these men katatome, which means “mutilators.”
They took pride in their own achievements and good deeds and the means of making themselves right before God. Trust in human works brings glory to man and nullifies what Christ did for us on the cross.
Embrace the true Christianity which relies on the works totally of Jesus Christ for salvation. He is our anchor of hope, and without Him all is lost.
Hebrews 6:19
Is Jesus your Advocate?
Formulated by Dunndeal Publications