The Bible warns of such false teachers, emphasizing the importance of discernment and vigilance in recognizing and rejecting their misleading messages. As believers, it is crucial to remain grounded in the truth of Scripture, seeking wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit to navigate the challenges posed by these deceptive influences.
Being tutored by authentic Bible teachers, from the beginning of my faith roots, who were sound in their doctrines of the believer's identity in Yeshua is a profound privilege. These teachers provide invaluable guidance, helping believers like me to understand their true identity in Christ and the transformative power of His love and grace. Through their teachings, I was equipped with a solid foundation in biblical truth, enabling me to navigate life's challenges with confidence and faith. Authentic Bible teachers emphasize the importance of understanding one's identity in Yeshua, which includes recognizing the believer's position as a child of God, redeemed and sanctified by His sacrifice.
The privilege of learning from such teachers extends beyond mere knowledge; it fosters spiritual growth and maturity. These mentors encouraged me, as a believer, to live out my faith authentically, embodying the principles of the Gospel in my daily life. By grounding their teachings in sound doctrine, they help both new and seasoned believers discern truth from falsehood, ensuring that their faith remains steadfast amidst a world filled with deceptive influences. The impact of being tutored by authentic Bible teachers is paramount, as it nurtures a deeper relationship with Yeshua and empowers believers to fulfill their God-given purpose with clarity and conviction.
Who were some of my mentors? Here is the short list - Dr. Charles Solomon, Miles J. Stanford, Watchman Nee, and Major W. Ian Thomas. Outside of Watchman Nee, I sat at the feet of these spiritual giants, being personally discipled by these men.
I have told fellow believers for many years that choosing a Christ-as-Life spiritual mentor (or 'daddy') matters on the heavenly side; it will impact every decision you make once you are indwelt by Christ. However, after 40+ years of ministry, I must say, few listened to this counsel.
Satan knows this to be true. Satan often employs half-truths to deceive believers and prevent them from fully tapping into the life of Yeshua within them. By mixing truth with subtle lies, like avoiding being filled with the Holy Spirit, he creates confusion and doubt, leading believers to question their identity and the power they possess through Christ.
These half-truths can manifest as distorted interpretations of Scripture, misleading teachings, or personal insecurities that undermine the believer's faith. As a result, believers may struggle to experience the fullness of Yeshua's life and the transformative power of His presence, let alone, for some, be kept from being indwelt by the Life of Christ, which is salvation. Recognizing and rejecting these deceptive tactics is crucial for believers to embrace their true identity in Christ, or authentically being saved, and live out their faith with confidence and authority.
When a pastor led me to Christ at the age of sixteen, he neglected to tell me that I died with Christ (Galatians 2:20). Becoming born again is a transformative experience, but without proper discipleship and an understanding of one's identity in Christ, it can be challenging to maintain this new life.
THIS WAS MY CASE. When I wasn't discipled in who I was in Christ, I lacked the guidance and support needed to fully grasp the significance of my new identity - that the old Stephen died with Yeshua. This gap in my spiritual growth and understanding led me to revert to my old lifestyle, as I struggled to navigate the changes and challenges on my own. Christ-as-Life discipleship is crucial for nurturing faith, providing the tools and wisdom to live out the new life in Christ, and preventing a return to former habits and ways of living.
Even though I returned to the roots of my salvation by the grace of God, most people don’t. The reason I returned was due to the love of my wife and being introduced to mentors who were not only steadfast in their beliefs but also emphasized the importance of embracing the details of co-crucifixion. This single-focused doctrine set my future on a Biblically sound pathway.
Thankfully, today, there are thousands of teachers advancing Christ-as-Life Truths worldwide. Back in the 70s, this was not the case. Marginal Christianity was on the rise, which later developed into a culture - the culture we live in today. While the Exchanged Life teachings spread like wildfire from these teachers, it still remains the toughest doctrine to multiply.
Many, if not most, Christians today are content with a marginal form of Christianity, unaware that authentic salvation involves being indwelt by the life of Yeshua's Spirit, the Holy Spirit. This deeper understanding of salvation extends beyond mere religious observance, attending church, reading the Bible, or superficial faith; it encompasses a transformative relationship in which the Holy Spirit actively resides within believers, empowering them to live out their faith with purpose and conviction.
Without recognizing this profound aspect of their salvation, believers may miss out on the fullness of life in Christ, and even authentic salvation, settling for a lukewarm spiritual experience rather than embracing the dynamic and life-changing presence of the Holy Spirit. True discipleship and spiritual growth require an awareness and acceptance of this indwelling, leading to a powerful and authentic Christian life.
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Are they discipling you in the profound truths of who you are in Christ? Or are they teaching you how to live the Christian life with platitudes or half-baked truths of using self-life effort to live the “Christian” life?
Only you can answer that question. One of the significant challenges believers face today is finding Bible teachers who faithfully teach the full Gospel, including the profound truths of being crucified with Christ, reckoning the old nature as dead, securing one's identity in Yeshua, and walking in victory by releasing His victory through them.
Many teachings focus on surface-level aspects of Christianity, often neglecting the deeper, transformative elements that are essential for spiritual growth and releasing Yeshua’s LIFE from within. This can leave believers with an incomplete understanding of their faith, struggling to experience the fullness of life in Christ, because they never discover the spiritual secrets of releasing His life versus practicing His principles. Something to pray about!
Here is my top recommendation for you today. A book written by one of my mentors, Major Ian Thomas: The Indwelling Life of Christ: All of Him in All of Me. Check it out HERE. Or check our 70+ Exchanged Life books in our online bookstore HERE.
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