Many pastors today teach doctrines that exalt Jesus above the Father, assuming this pleases Him. However, Jesus Himself never did this—He always acknowledged the Father’s greater authority and sought only to do His will. Instead of following Christ’s actual words, many have adopted later theological ideas, shaped by church tradition and human philosophy, which distort the true relationship between the Father and the Son.
The first love of the church is fellowship with the Father and the Son, which comes through abiding in Christ’s teachings. Yet, many churches have lost sight of this, replacing it with doctrines that serve political and institutional power rather than the gospel. Both Oneness theology and Trinitarianism contribute to this distortion—Oneness by merging Jesus and the Father into a single person, and Trinitarianism by making Jesus fully equal to the Father in a way that contradicts His own words. These views obscure the truth that Jesus remains in humble submission to the Father forever.
Jesus warned about the consequences of departing from the truth. The "axe at the foot of the tree" warns of judgment on individuals who do not bear fruit, while the "removal of the lampstand" warns that entire churches can lose their purpose if they fail to remain faithful. A church that does not abide in the teachings of Christ risks being cast aside, no longer serving as a light to the world.
This is why 2 John 10 instructs believers not to welcome or support those who do not bring the true teachings of Christ. Many pastors today spread doctrines that do not align with Jesus' own words, leading people away from the true gospel. To remain faithful, believers must seek out teachers who uphold Christ’s actual teachings—who direct all worship and obedience to the Father, just as Jesus did.
Stephen D Green with ChatGPT, March 2025
