The Embraced Deception called SERVICE

^“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

There is much talk today from countless pulpits across the country and around the globe that greatly grieve the work of the Holy Spirit; the talk of “spiritual gifts” and it’s relation to “SERVICE”.

“In the well-defined purpose-centered atmosphere of the postmodern church, discovery and development depend more on human plans and management formulas than on faith in God and the silent work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps that's why Pastor Warren suggests,

"Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. Take a long, honest look at what you are good at and what you're not good at. Ask other people. Paul advised, 'Try to have a sane estimate of your capabilities.' [Romans 12:3b, The Message]  Make a list. Ask other people for their candid opinion.... Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always confirmed by others."

They are? What if your spiritual gift has nothing to do with your natural talents or personal preferences? What if God gave you gifts that would show His exceeding greatness, not yours? In stark contrast to Pastor Warren's view of spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul said,

"I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Did you hear that? God uses weak but faithful believers who will demonstrate His power, not their own talents. In fact, our own talents are often the opposite of our spiritual gifts. History shows us how some of God's most powerful messengers served in total weakness, all the more demonstrating the amazing power of the Holy Spirit.  Now as then, many of His servants come to Him as quiet, shy introverts who would fear speaking their name in a group and would shudder at the improbable thought of ever speaking in front of a group.”  Excerpt from- ‘Spiritual Gifts and Community Service’ By Berit Kjos - July 2004

Berit Kjos nailed it biblically! Since when did Christ command us to do the work ourselves or rely upon our own strength to accomplish anything He’s required? Since when did our “spiritual gifts” have anything to do with serving those around us and being responsible in ourselves for the work of the Lord? Is it not by HIS POWER AND MIGHT? It’s ALWAYS been about JESUS; to compromise for the sake of “church growth” is wrong! Service or not there is little to no emphasis on Salvation in Christ alone for fear of scaring away the crowd. This talk of SERVICE is nothing more than a glorified rally for the Antichrist false global religion volunteers. Remember Jesus said, “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” Matthew 10:21 Precisely what’s being FORMED! Those who practice such guile are doing just as the word says. “…deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ…” Sadly, very few within these church walls care enough to seek the Lord actually know that this is the exact opposite of Christ. The Word continues- “no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…” Jesus Himself knew when Satan was trying to tempt Him, lie or deceive Him. He wants us to be aware also, and it’s only possible through His Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”John 14:16-17


To the born again, spirit filled - Christ follower, who has and does daily die to self:
Service is about our Love to Christ and His Spirit grants us a desire to do that which is pleasing before God. If He is not our first Love; we have strayed too far, and thus resulting in selfish ambitions that don’t necessarily regard Him as our initial reason in doing.  “Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ," wrote Oswald Chambers. "The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him.... “Are we being more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ?" If so, we have lost our first love...” Berit Kjos


Below is an excerpt from”Walking with God” The Andrew Murray Trilogy on Sanctification

                “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; ...” Revelation 2:2-5

“In His work for us Christ gave us before and above everything His love, the personal tender affection of His heart in our work for Him and He asks us nothing less. There is such a danger of work being carried on, and our even bearing much for Christ’s sake, while the freshness of our love has passed away. And that is what Christ seeks. And that is what gives power. And that is what nothing can compensate for. Christ looks for the warm loving heart, the personal affection which ever keeps Him the center of our love and joy. Christian workers, see that all your work be the work of love, of tender personal devotion to Christ Jesus.”-Andrew Murray

“We love him, because he first loved us.”1 John 4:19 Just as Christ first loved us; it is purely by His love IN us that we are able to serve others. Is it not the foolish things in this world that God uses? Is it not the weak He chooses to be glorified in and through? “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:” 1 Corinthians 1:26-28 If we rely on what we think we do well then we are far from relying upon His strength, and instead placing focus upon self once again. Aren’t we commanded consistently throughout the Word to rely not upon ourselves, but rather to let go of the world and white knuckle grip the Living Word of God; faithfully carrying our cross! Let the Word of God be the foundation to which all things are compared to! All things else will lead you away from the straight and narrow and permit you to place the spotlight upon self. Jesus deliberately told us what was required to be His.“…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

SELF or THE CROSS – It’s a choice we all must make. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of this service? Am I being used in a way that screams GOD IS WORKING THROUGH me for HIS GLORY or am I relying upon my own strength & talents? All the more reason to seek the Lord’s face in prayer and His Word! If we don’t know the Truth we cannot know nor recognize the false counterfeit which is so blatantly horrific within the church today!

It’s time to get back to the basics… BACK TO OUR FIRST LOVE- JESUS! In Him all intentions are pure as well as all glory is rightly His! AMEN!

“If we give God service it must be because He gives us grace. We work for Him because He works in us.” C.H. Spurgeon

For the full article quoted from above by Berit Kjos go to:
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/5-purpose-gifts.htm