The market places these days just seem to be flooded with all sorts fake merchandise. Just last week while in Mexico, I was offered name brand sunglasses and watches for incredible prices. Of course on closer inspection, these products were found not to be as Coca Cola says, “the real thing”. None the less, there is a huge market for these “knock off” products.In fact, we see them here in the states just as much as in Mexico. This is because so many people are happy to have items of clothing, movies, CD’s etc that are cheap, pirated versions rather than the real thing. Companies spend billions of dollars trying to keep their products from being ripped off, copied and pirated. Guess who pays the price for these companies extra costs?

The deception that’s out there doesn’t just stop with products. “Knock off” Christianity is being offered today as well. The truth is people are out there offering an imitation gospel, a gospel light, a watered down version. The fact that this is happening should not surprise any of us since the Bible warns of such things increasing in the “last days”. The early church in Galatia had somehow been deceived and the apostle Paul addresses this in the third chapter of his letter to the church. He wrote; ” 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” What was in this different changed gospel that would attract them to desert the real thing?

As far as products go, why would people buy imitations when the real product lasts longer and works and looks better? I come up with two reasons, the obvious is the price. The second is people want the look. They want the appearance of the real thing without the cost. Why pay the price when we can have the appearance of the genuine. This is true with anything including Christianity. Some people want the look without the cost. A cheaper version that appears real but in actuality is fake. Like most “knock offs” with closer inspection you can see it’s not the real thing.

One of the best ways to tell a forgery is to compare it side by side with the genuine. When you compare the true gospel with the imitation there’s no comparison. The true gospel has something that nobody can copy and that’s power. The true gospel as the Apostle Paul says “is the power of God”(Rm.1:16). You see that power manifested in one distinct area in the believer, and that’s a changed life. Don’t settle for a cheap imitation that promises you power but cannot produce.There is only one true gospel, and the name brand is Jesus Christ. This gospel will last for eternity, it will not wear out and when you use it properly it will cause you to look good all the time. This gospel like all name brands is expensive. It will cost you your life. Although it’s expensive you will be glad you paid the price.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it”
Matthew 13:45-46

You can find more writings by Pastor Steve Miller of New Song Christian Fellowship at: http://newsongspringfield.wordpress.com/

New Song is a multi-generational church. Our desire is to help you discover the exciting plan God has for your life. If you’re just curious about God or church, or a believer looking for a church home, there’s a place for you at New Song.  Visit our website: http://newsongcf.com or stop by Sunday Morning at 10am we are located at 35425 Camp Creek Rd in Springfield, Oregon.