3 CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO OPPOSE THE GOSPEL

 

After some years of preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ, I have learned that there are more who oppose the gospel than those who advocate it. Very sadly most of these opposers are Christians. Such people (i.e. opposers) I call the generation of Jannes-and-Jambres.

Apostle Paul mentions in his second letter to Timothy that, “And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith.” (3:8) These two names (i.e. Jannes and Jambres) does not appear in the Old Testament but their rebellion is well recorded as they opposed Moses by replicating some of his miracles (Exod. 7:11) “Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts.” There are more of such people in our days, pretentious people, hiding in our churches, seminaries, schools, homes, work places and parliaments. Our generation has seen many unbelievers, Atheists, Muhammadans and etc. oppose the faith publicly than any generation, but likely unaware of Jannes-and-Jambres Christians.

I want to share with you three major things which characterizes the Jannes-and-Jambres generation and trust God to bring us to a position of watchfulness and soberness.

1. Their understanding is darkened “being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart…” (Eph. 4:18) They have a darkened understanding because of their hardness of heart. The major instigator of hardness of heart is lack of knowledge i.e. essentially rejection of knowledge, the knowledge of the truth (Read Hosea 6:4). Basically filled with intellectualism, science, philosophy and dogma they write off the wisdom of God. Some with darkened understanding claim there is no God. Others say God is dead. Many others blame God for the sufferings in this world forgetting that things are falling apart because the world is already perverted with sin, sin wrought by the will of man. Filled with legalism they say, “Wear this or that and not that, eat these and reject those.” In the darkness of understanding no less is achieved than to oppose the gospel. 
2. They have corrupt minds “and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Tim. 6:5) Opposers of the gospel have a corrupt or depraved mind or thinking. Their mind is so contaminated and without the truth or the true view of Christianity. People who fabricate their own doctrines to delude mankind to settle for mediocre are opposers to the Kingdom of God. One of such examples is Joseph Smith who out of his own obsessions turned many away from the true God, gathered tens of thousands and tagged them with Mormonism. Such ones, I mean opposers have been denied the truth because they do not seek the God of the Truth. Just as Moses’ opposers withstood him by performing signs and wonders false prophets i.e. opposers will show many signs. In Africa some people go to seek powers from gods and rise up as miracle workers. I am not in doubt of the incalculable people who consult occult mediums for power to wrought miracles. These are corrupt minded people who have been deprived of the truth. 
3. They are full of unbelief “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15) Many people often say, “But we all know that none can live a one hundred percent sin-free life” “In one way or another we shall sin, so what is the big deal?” This ideology is an absolute opposition to perfect will of God. The scripture is implicit as God constantly calls unto man to be as holy as He is. People with such mentalities do no better than to languish in sin, because they are opposed to the holiness plan of God for their lives. The gospel of Holiness, righteousness and purity is opposed. This category of unbelieving defiled conscience Jannes and Jambres have so much occupied the Church and thus influencing many with their run-of-the-mill mentality. Unbelief in tithing, baptism, communion and the sacred beliefs of the Kingdom is also opposition to the gospel. I thank God that the Catholics now know the truth about Salvation; that it is free and they ought not to charge a fee for it. It is great opposition to Gospel of Christ to involve in such things as indulgence. God is pleased with those who by faith-believing trust Him alone.

All who oppose God are enemies of the Cross and God duly will spare them not on the day of judgement. Dear reader, I encourage you to rededicate your life to Christ if you are already a Christian. But if you are not a believer in Christ, I do earnestly entreat you to seek Him gravely with all your heart. Quickly and unobtrusively ask for forgiveness if you have opposed the gospel, in one way or another.

Related resources:
The 95 thesis of Martin Luther
How to enter the Kingdom of God
Jesus' High Priestly Prayer

 

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