Watching Primetime tonight (Outsiders) I was sadly reminded of some of the horrors done in Jesus name. I believe He weeps, especially for the children. I couldn’t even watch the full program, it was too explicit. How can so many crimes be done in the context of “Church?” Of course, I don’t believe for a second this is the authentic Church.

These events remind me of a passage in John.

2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward.
9 Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.

“Going too far.” This is the reocurring theme, people coming from a religious background, a “form” of godliness if you will. However, they surpass the teachings of Christ. Whether it was the religious Pharisees of the first century whom Jesus firmly confronted (Jn. 5:39-40) or the cult leaders of today, these people go too far.

What is a preventative for such heresy? I believe a healthy step is when a community of faith self-examines the fruit it produces.

We make things too complex many times. It seems as though Paul went out of his way to remind us that this following Jesus thing is rather simple (not easy though).

2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.