PROVISION FOR PROTECTION "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not reached . . ." (2 Cor 11:4). -- Tomorrow:
"But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things . . . But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him." (1 John 2:20,27-29)
Devotion 13 of 30
Other versions read, "preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached" (NIV), "proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed" (NRSV), "preaching another Jesus from the one whose preachers we are" (BBE), "preach about a different Jesus than the one we preach" (NLT), "preaching about another Jesus who is different from the Jesus we preached unto you" (IE), and "preaching a different Jesus from the one we told you about" (PHILLIPS).
Paul told the Corinthians he was afraid of their defection. "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Now he gets straight to the point. He will tell them what is involved in fearing Satan would deceive them, luring them away from single-heartedness toward the Lord Jesus. His immediate concern is not the local temples to idols, or the sports arena, or the occultist books. He knew Satan would be more cunning in his attempt to infect and pollute the minds of the Corinthians. In fact, the beginnings of corruption had already taken place. This was evidenced by the unacceptable conditions that had surfaced since Paul had left them – circumstances that had no connection at all with Jesus Christ, newness of life, or the New Covenant.
There is such a thing as "another Jesus." This is not a real person – unless it be a demon – but a fictitious "Jesus" that is preached. This "Jesus" is not announced to be "another Jesus," but is represented as being the One God sent, and declared in the Gospel. It is a "Jesus" that is said to be the Son of God, having died for men, and declared to be presently saving men.
Jesus warned His disciples, "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect" (Mat 24:24; Mk 13:22). He also affirmed that other personalities would arise, coming in His name and saying, "I am Christ" (Matt 24:5; Mk 13:6; Lk 21:8). All of these operated under the auspices of the devil.
Paul is clear about this matter, the other Jesus is one that is "preached," or declared. The particular things said about this other Jesus are not specified. However, this was a "Jesus" who allowed division. It was one who permitted people to call themselves after the names of men (1 Cor 1:12-13). This other Jesus did not move people to expel a fornicator from their presence, but rather moved the people to endure such a monstrosity in their presence. It was a Jesus who, when embraced, allowed the people to fail to discern Christ's body when eating at His table (1 Cor 11:29) – and still think they still maintained identity with Christ.
"Another Jesus" is one who seems better suited to address the ails of humanity – at least that is the way He is presented. It is not the Messiah foretold by Moses (Deut 18:15,18), or promised by the Prophets (Isa 9:6- 7; 11:3-4; 40:11; 61:1-4; Jer 23:6; 33:15-16; Mal 3:3). Perhaps it is a Jesus who, together with His Father, and in stark contradiction of Christ's own words, loves people "unconditionally" (John 14:21,23; 15:10; 16:27). It may be a Jesus who entertains an intense interest in all of your problems, and extends himself to become involved in all of them – even though that contradicts the revelation given to us of the real Christ (Matt 11:17; Luke 12:13-14; John 2:4; Acts 1:6-7). Perhaps it is a Jesus who can tolerate being rejected, and endure unbelief among the people – something for which the real Jesus is NOT noted (Matt 11:10-24). Maybe it is even a Jesus who wants EVERYONE to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, even if they are not interested – even though Jesus was thankful these things were "hidden from the wise and the prudent" (Matt 11:25-27).
The point is that there are, indeed, "false christs." These are Christ's who do not save – yea, cannot save. They cannot do the things "the Christ of God" does (Luke 9:20). They only serve temporal interests.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, deliver me from the influence of all false Christs – all "other" Jesus'.