Is GCx GOOD for Growing in My Faith?
Will I Benefit from its Teaching?
What does God's Word say about some of its foundational teachings?
It seems that so many write here to inquire
if GCX or any group affiliated with or related to its teachings are actually beneficial churches? They might be considering trying them out. They might be attending one. They may have been a member of one? They may have made many friends there, and hesitate leaving them. They wonder if this high level of committment is actually spiritually advantageous (as they likely have been falsely persuaded)? They want to give Christ their all and have no regrets later (of which they are also often deceptively pressured with). If like me, they might just be scared to do the "
WRONG" thing (which they have been abusively told is
to leave the church) because they desire to be acceptable and pleasing to God. So, they may have been compelled through false spiritual authority to agree to present themselves to this group and their separative traditions.
"Woe to the obstinate children", declares The Lord, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, BUT NOT BY MY SPIRIT..." (Isaiah 30:1)
Unhealthy churches do not post a sign "DANGER: Severe Risk To Your Precious Faith". In fact, Paul tells those he loves that have entered into such alliances: They will go to great lengths to appear better than others, and more PLEASING to God than other church groups. They will tell you you'll receive more favor and blessing from God by committing to their SPECIAL methods. Paul says they will be like the world in appealing to your ego, promising to make you a superior christian.
"For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached...you put up with it easily enough." "I do not think I am in the least inferior to these "super-apostles". (2 Cor. 11:4,6)
"For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one who The Lord commends"...(2 Cor. 10:18)
'I am not ashamed of the gospel (the good news of the grace of Christ) because IT
actually (
presently actively)
IS the POWER (miraculous ability to perform) OF GOD for the (victorious rescue from destructive enemies) deliverance of everyone (presently actively) BELIEVING...For IN the Gospel a (divine) righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that IS BY FAITH from the beginning (eternal saving faith) of each believers new life (moment by moment faith as he chooses) to the end...The Righteous will live abundantly and victoriously (as he chooses to abide in Christ) BY FAITH (in Christ's righteousness in them).'
[Rom. 1:16 paraphrased by me from the Greek - via Interlinear Bible - please check out for yourself!]
(Tony Evans and Tullian Tchividjian rightly divide this verse out much better)
Paul warns the BELIEVERS that if they TRY TO PLEASE GOD by obeying rules and regulations, Christ will be of NO VALUE (or help) TO THEM! A particular group he referred to made circumcision a requirement to be pleasing to God, surrendering themselves to be cut off all around - as if to extinguish lusts and sin. GCx did this same thing - but in a different way - by striving to separate us through unnatural and invasive impositions on our personal lives. This included separation from even "lesser"
christians and their teachers. Which, of course, results in an arrogant spirit, even hostility toward those who don't agree. Galatians 5:1 in the greek says don't ENTANGLE yourselves {enechesthe} with this type of teaching. Don't be HELD IN by it. He says these "holier" methods are a bondage or brand of slavery. Thayers explains its a slavish sense of fear, DEVOID ALIKE OF BUOYANCY OF SPIRIT & TRUST IN GOD.
"Stand firm...and DO NOT LET YOURSELVES be burdened again by a YOKE of slavery" (Gal.5:1)
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the GRACE of Christ and are turning to a DIFFERENT gospel - which is really NO GOSPEL (GOOD news) AT ALL." (Gal. 1:6,7)
Jesus says the only work or comittment you must continually do to have success in your christian journey is to believe. We are all prone to unbelief here and there as believers because we still have a sinful flesh. It encourages me to hear teaching on Romans that addresses believers as it's intended audience. Explaining that our main obstacle to obeying Christ is unbelief (as children of God), not lack of "good works". Believing in and relying upon His Righteousness rather than our own causes power and grace to flow freely through us! But thinking we are approved because we are meeting certain standards by examining our "good behavior" is a set up for unbelief. Self-righteousness being the biggest cause for lack of grace and power to really act as Jesus does. Therefore, nothing - but Jesus, himself, (actively & presently relying upon him) makes us even good Christians.
"Then they asked him, "what must we do to DO THE WORKS GOD REQUIRES?" Jesus answered, The work of God is this: TO BELIEVE in the ONE he has sent." (John 6:28-29)
"Apart from me you can do NO good". (John 15:5) "There is only ONE who is good" (Matt. 19:17)
False teachers knowingly and unknowingly create pits for true faith or dependence upon Jesus' righteousness. They invent a "righteousness" of their own. Because it is not a righteousness FROM God it is Not good in God's eyes. So, following these "superior" rules is actually doing your faith NO good, God says.
"Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be ..., Christ will be of no value to you." (Paul addressing believers in Gal 5:1)
I feel God calls out False Teachers in many of these passages. Though they promise advantage and even power, they actually deliver the opposite -heavy burdens, shame and disgrace. I asked God some time ago to show me where GCx was exposed in the Bible; and these and many other verses God kept highlighting to me over and over. I believe God is calling out GCx as he called out this Galatian church's teachings and leaders! And God wants
you to ask him about it, so he can show you HIMSELF, too.
"Though they have officials...and their envoys have arrived..., everyone will be put to shame because of a people USELESS to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace."
(Isaiah 30:4,5)