Are you Growing in Grace?

If you are unfamiliar with the Growing in Grace (Creciendo en Gracia) movement, please take a moment to watch this excerpt from The Today Show.
After watching the video and reading the article about it, needless to say I was shocked and appalled. Jose Miranda is a charlatan who has apparently targeted the Hispanic community brainwashing them into believing that he is Jesus Christ, the Second Coming.

Until today I had never heard of this movement, and I was amazed that they can be found in over 20 countries, mostly in central and south America, but also in the United States. They claim that they have over 30 teaching centers nationwide, and though they do not keep track of their membership, they estimate it to be at least a million or more.

These are just a few of Miranda's teachings:

• Sin no longer exists.
• There's not such thing as the Devil.
• Prayer is a waste of time.
• All other religions are liars (including Catholic, Protestant, Evangelicals, etc.)

I find it blatantly ironic that even though Miranda claims to be Jesus Christ and refers to the Bible (i.e. he requires his followers to tithe), his life, speech, and actions do not compare at all with the Lamb of God. Every one of his "teachings" directly contradict things that Jesus Himself preached.

The Bible clearly warns about false teachers & false prophets:

• Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matt. 7:15)
• I know full well that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. (Acts 20:29)
• Those false teachers who are so anxious to win your favor are not doing it for your good. They are trying to shut you off from me so that you will pay more attention to them. (Gal. 4:17)
• Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. (1 John 4:1)

What disturbs me the most about this cult is its potential violent nature. Miranda believes that all other religions are evil, deceiving, lying dogs and encourages his followers to protest them, and even be willing to give their lives to "spread the truth." Since he claims to be God, Miranda also demands unquestioned loyalty from his followers. Sounds a lot like the Branch Davidians and Koresh, doesn't it?

To learn more about Growing in Grace or other cults and alternative religions, please visit the Watchman Fellowship website.