Personalized Faith

When people have no personal relationship with Jesus Christ, they open themselves (to feel useful) to dubious teachings, religions, esoteric, self-finding processes, ideologies, violence and also occult things. And some even lean towards idolatry. That is a strong urge to seek after idols. The possibilities and selections (to make oneself feel important, strong and self-assured) has never been as vast and enticing as it is at present. To be interested and enthusiastic about something, in a normal healthy way, does not have to be or become dramatized. However, where this reaches fanatic dimensions, which cost money, time, nerves and health, causing oneself (or others) to suffer thereby, it oversteps the borderline. There is also a religious idolatry that can take hold of a congregation and its ministers. Idolization has various appearances and the seducer is not stupid. A lot of people who are not interested in the Bible, seek their reason for living there where it cannot be found, namely in the world. Help and strength in the supernatural, which is sought and (seemingly) found, is nothing other than superstition, seduction and other modern means of idolatry. In the “Esoteric Industry” one finds a lot of information with regard to spirituality, spiritual-healing, new eras, cosmic forces, etc. One can, above all, lose a lot of money through it, but this is what it is mostly all about. However: hardly any person who is interested in esoteric things would think anything negative about Jesus Christ. Some even regard Him as the biggest esoterica yet. But, they speak more of a manner of “Jesus-feeling” than about the living Son of God. They consider themselves rather as gifted spiritual healers and modern exorcists than sinners in need of redemption who call for redemption from their psychological distress (Romans 7:24).

Jesus is not an indefinable, nebulous and cosmic power. In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). He is a holy, all-powerful Person with characteristics and clear vision! Whoever says different lies! It is certainly true that, apart from the visible there is also an invisible world. That people have always been interested in the unknown and mysterious is nothing new. We Christians have, by the Bible, been made aware of a spiritual world which is dangerous and threatening from which nothing good can come (Ephesians 6:11-12). When redeemed, believing people (Christians) are warned to arm themselves with “spiritual armour” against the attacks of the devil, what should people do who have no idea of the danger they face? The devil and his workers are transformed into the “Angels of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) and we find that, especially in esoteric circles, alleged good and heavenly angels and their messengers, play a very specific deceiving role. Paul wrote “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). These evil days will come and we are not always prepared for them. The end time is near and the devil is well aware of it. We need to be alert and prepared to stand against this evil in faith.

Jörg Bauer