Thursday, June 18, 2015
Speak the Truth in Love.
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, The Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Mark 8:38 NASB
We are clearly living in an adulterous and sinful generation. One does not need to look too hard to see that perilous times are upon us in these days (2 Tim 3:1-5). We see that men are lovers of self, pleasure, etc.....
As Christians, we are called to stand out, exposing the darkness of this wicked world with the light of the truth of the gospel of Christ (Eph 5:11-14). This means that we do speak up, that we do tell a wicked world that what it is promoting is wrong, sinful in the eyes of God. It means that we do tell of the judgment to come. We do these things not to offend others, or to point a self righteous finger, but to set forth the truth in hopes of reaching those who are lost in sin.
Understand what Jesus was doing in the sermon on the mount when he addressed issues such as lust and adultery, divorce, anger and murder, honesty and the taking of oaths, non resistance etc. (Matt 5:21-48). He was refuting the compromised teaching of the day that allowed people to live and act in ways contrary to God's law, while still believing that they were keeping it.
We see Jesus confront an adulterous woman in Samaria. She was looking for something that her life and empty religion could not give her, but before she could find it, she had to deal with her sin (John 4:15-18). Jesus gently confronts her with the fact of her multiple marriages, because it is impossible to merely "add" Jesus to our already busy sinful lives. Jesus demands all; our hearts, wills, our lives. We must turn from our sin if we would embrace the Savior.
Many are ashamed to speak truth. They are afraid of offending others. Pastor are afraid to preach on certain topics because they see so many in their congregations living in this sin or that sin, so they remain silent.
It is time to give up this fearful tolerance of sin, and embrace the message of the cross (Mark 8:34); the crucified life. It is time to raise our voices strong, and lift up Christ as a Savior form sin. It is a message that the world does not want to hear, but it is also the message that will set them free (John 8:31-36).
Mark 8:38 NASB
We are clearly living in an adulterous and sinful generation. One does not need to look too hard to see that perilous times are upon us in these days (2 Tim 3:1-5). We see that men are lovers of self, pleasure, etc.....
As Christians, we are called to stand out, exposing the darkness of this wicked world with the light of the truth of the gospel of Christ (Eph 5:11-14). This means that we do speak up, that we do tell a wicked world that what it is promoting is wrong, sinful in the eyes of God. It means that we do tell of the judgment to come. We do these things not to offend others, or to point a self righteous finger, but to set forth the truth in hopes of reaching those who are lost in sin.
Understand what Jesus was doing in the sermon on the mount when he addressed issues such as lust and adultery, divorce, anger and murder, honesty and the taking of oaths, non resistance etc. (Matt 5:21-48). He was refuting the compromised teaching of the day that allowed people to live and act in ways contrary to God's law, while still believing that they were keeping it.
We see Jesus confront an adulterous woman in Samaria. She was looking for something that her life and empty religion could not give her, but before she could find it, she had to deal with her sin (John 4:15-18). Jesus gently confronts her with the fact of her multiple marriages, because it is impossible to merely "add" Jesus to our already busy sinful lives. Jesus demands all; our hearts, wills, our lives. We must turn from our sin if we would embrace the Savior.
Many are ashamed to speak truth. They are afraid of offending others. Pastor are afraid to preach on certain topics because they see so many in their congregations living in this sin or that sin, so they remain silent.
It is time to give up this fearful tolerance of sin, and embrace the message of the cross (Mark 8:34); the crucified life. It is time to raise our voices strong, and lift up Christ as a Savior form sin. It is a message that the world does not want to hear, but it is also the message that will set them free (John 8:31-36).
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Outside the Camp.
Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Hebrews 13:12-14 NASB
The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians to remain faithful to Christ. They faced severe pressure from friends and family to return to Judaism, and no doubt, for many, the temptation to give in would have been strong. In this book, Christ is shown to be the reality of the Old Testament types and shadows. To turn from Him, and to go back to the sacrificial system, was to leave Christianity altogether. They were encouraged in the above passage to go outside the camp, and suffer the reproach of Christ. Outside the camp was the garbage dump; the place where the animal carcasses were dumped (Hebrews 13:11). In other words, they would face rejection, reproach, and even persecution for the name of Christ. They must not return to what they had come out of.
True Christians today are faced with a similar situation. We see a wicked world plunging deeper into moral filth today. There seems to be no shame, as men cast off what little restraint seems to be left.
Not only has this moral decline increased in the world, it has also invaded the professing Church as well. Here is where things get tough for those who would follow Christ. There are those who draw a line. In their eyes, sin is sin, and they will not compromise. They refuse to partake in it, they refuse to tolerate it, and refuse to excuse it. This puts them at odds with multitudes of professing believers who blindly coddle sin in the name of Christian love.
To stand up for truth in many churches today will get you labeled as judgmental, a hater, a legalist, and extreme. You will bring rejection upon yourself if you call sin what it really is, and call men to repent. In our tolerant modern theology, it is better to be "politically correct" than to be Biblically correct.
The temptation is there, just as it has always been, to give in, to compromise, to be just like everyone else. This admonition in Hebrews is for us as well. Let us draw that line in the sand. There can be no compromise, no settling down in a lukewarm religion. We must go outside the camp with Jesus, bearing His reproach. This earth, with all of its ways is temporal. We are looking for the city which is to come.
So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
Hebrews 13:12-14 NASB
The epistle to the Hebrews was written to encourage early Christians to remain faithful to Christ. They faced severe pressure from friends and family to return to Judaism, and no doubt, for many, the temptation to give in would have been strong. In this book, Christ is shown to be the reality of the Old Testament types and shadows. To turn from Him, and to go back to the sacrificial system, was to leave Christianity altogether. They were encouraged in the above passage to go outside the camp, and suffer the reproach of Christ. Outside the camp was the garbage dump; the place where the animal carcasses were dumped (Hebrews 13:11). In other words, they would face rejection, reproach, and even persecution for the name of Christ. They must not return to what they had come out of.
True Christians today are faced with a similar situation. We see a wicked world plunging deeper into moral filth today. There seems to be no shame, as men cast off what little restraint seems to be left.
Not only has this moral decline increased in the world, it has also invaded the professing Church as well. Here is where things get tough for those who would follow Christ. There are those who draw a line. In their eyes, sin is sin, and they will not compromise. They refuse to partake in it, they refuse to tolerate it, and refuse to excuse it. This puts them at odds with multitudes of professing believers who blindly coddle sin in the name of Christian love.
To stand up for truth in many churches today will get you labeled as judgmental, a hater, a legalist, and extreme. You will bring rejection upon yourself if you call sin what it really is, and call men to repent. In our tolerant modern theology, it is better to be "politically correct" than to be Biblically correct.
The temptation is there, just as it has always been, to give in, to compromise, to be just like everyone else. This admonition in Hebrews is for us as well. Let us draw that line in the sand. There can be no compromise, no settling down in a lukewarm religion. We must go outside the camp with Jesus, bearing His reproach. This earth, with all of its ways is temporal. We are looking for the city which is to come.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Contending for the Faith: Strangers and Exiles.
Contending for the Faith: Strangers and Exiles.: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confess...
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Is Christ Enough?
Though the fig tree should not blossom and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock should be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds' feet, and makes me walk on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB
This passage of scripture brings us face to face with a pressing question. If I lost everything, if disaster struck my life, would God be enough?
It is easy to read these verses, and indeed many of us often do, and think to ourselves that yes, God is enough. We feel that our faith is strong, and that we are satisfied with Him. It is one thing to watch a man push some one in a cart across a tightrope stretched high above a canyon, and believe that he could get us across, but quite another thing to actually get into the cart.
Are we really content with God alone? Is He enough, is He all? In the hustle and bustle of life, in this age of instant gratification, is Christ enough, or are we clinging tightly to the material things of this earth? Could we say He was enough even if faced with the loss of a loved one? These are hard questions, but Christ must be all, if He is to be enthroned within our hearts.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB
This passage of scripture brings us face to face with a pressing question. If I lost everything, if disaster struck my life, would God be enough?
It is easy to read these verses, and indeed many of us often do, and think to ourselves that yes, God is enough. We feel that our faith is strong, and that we are satisfied with Him. It is one thing to watch a man push some one in a cart across a tightrope stretched high above a canyon, and believe that he could get us across, but quite another thing to actually get into the cart.
Are we really content with God alone? Is He enough, is He all? In the hustle and bustle of life, in this age of instant gratification, is Christ enough, or are we clinging tightly to the material things of this earth? Could we say He was enough even if faced with the loss of a loved one? These are hard questions, but Christ must be all, if He is to be enthroned within our hearts.
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Falling Out of Love
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Revelation 2:4 KJV
Revelation 2:1-7
A man passionately in love with Jesus will labor for the Lord with an untiring zeal. He will endure hardship and tribulation for the sake of Christ with joy. He will carefully guard the truth, and contend for the faith, lest the name of Christ be reproached, and His glorious gospel misrepresented. All of this flows from his love for Christ, as love will constrain a man to do great things for the sake of another.
There is a subtle danger however. After a lifetime of tireless work for the Lord, a man may find to his sorrow, that his passion for Christ has departed. He has tirelessly endured labors and hardships, he still earnestly stands for truth, he has fearlessly warned others of false teachers and doctrines, but these things, now, are the things he loves, in place of Christ.
Revelation 2:4 KJV
Revelation 2:1-7
A man passionately in love with Jesus will labor for the Lord with an untiring zeal. He will endure hardship and tribulation for the sake of Christ with joy. He will carefully guard the truth, and contend for the faith, lest the name of Christ be reproached, and His glorious gospel misrepresented. All of this flows from his love for Christ, as love will constrain a man to do great things for the sake of another.
There is a subtle danger however. After a lifetime of tireless work for the Lord, a man may find to his sorrow, that his passion for Christ has departed. He has tirelessly endured labors and hardships, he still earnestly stands for truth, he has fearlessly warned others of false teachers and doctrines, but these things, now, are the things he loves, in place of Christ.
Saturday, May 23, 2015
The Mystery of Lawlessness
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 NASB
We see a mystery of lawlessness at work today. We have a society with no standards. We are witnessing a complete moral decay in our culture today. Things that were shameful to even mention just a few generations ago, are now brazenly shoved in our faces by people with no shame.
Sin (rebellion) has indeed been in the world from the very day the serpent cast doubt into the heart of Eve; "Hath God said (Genesis 3:1)?" Nations and civilizations have plunged into the depths of depravity, in the same way we see today, doing shameful things with increasing boldness, until they crumbled and fell. John tells us that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Tragically, the professing Church has in a great measure embraced the sinful lifestyles of the world around it. This casting off of restraint has permeated the Church. It takes no great stretch of the imagination to see a great falling away from the faith in this day (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1) What God intended to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), no longer holds to absolutes. Things have become blurred. What was once held forth as truth, is now rejected as being outdated, irrelevant, and no longer culturally acceptable.
The word of God tells of a time when men will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, will seek out teachers who will tell them the things that they want to hear. They will turn away from the truth, and embrace teachings that promote their sinful cravings (2 Timothy 3-4). Paul makes it clear in this passage of scripture, that it is lust; the passions and cravings of mankind, that lie at the heart of this departure from truth. Men reject truth, because it goes against their selfish desires.
Look at what the word of God has to say about lust. In Ephesians 2:2-3, Paul writes that the believers in Ephesus had at one time walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. He goes on to write that we all lived in this way in times past, fulfilling the lusts of the mind and the flesh. By nature, we were children of wrath. What does he mean by nature? He means selfishness; living for our passions and lusts, not caring how our lifestyles and actions affect God or anybody else. This is at the heart of sin and rebellion.
Notice what James tells us about temptation in James 1:13-15. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts. Something catches our attention, excites our passions, and then we give into our desire and sin. Notice how the serpent enticed the desire of Eve (Genesis 3:6). The serpent had brought the character of God into question, and now Eve, looking upon the forbidden tree with it's fruit, has the boldness to partake of it, give some to Adam, and sin. She chose to gratify her passion rather than obey God. Peter warns us to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
Lust is the source of the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). When you look at all of the killing, the broken homes, the sexual immorality, dishonesty, anarchy, and so on, in this world, understand that it is the fruit of selfish man in pursuit of his inner lusts. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, is what has made this world what it is today (1 John 2:15-17).
We see something interesting in the account of the temptation of Jesus. The devil took Jesus up to a high mountain, and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world. He then offered Jesus all of these kingdoms, if He would fall down and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). Now either the devil is lying, and cannot give these kingdoms to anyone, or he actually controls them. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies under his power (1 John 5:19). We are told that sin entered the world, and death through sin, by the transgression of Adam (Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12-14). At the point of Adams sin, Satan gained control of this world, enticing men, through their desires, causing them to sin. I do not believe that the devil is personally tempting someone every time they sin; man is fully capable of arousing his passions on his own, but ultimately, the devil has his way as man selfishly lives for the gratification of his inner desires. We are told that the "god of this age" has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the gospel should shine on them (2 Cor 4:4). Jesus teaches us that the wicked one takes away the word that is sown in hard hearts (Matthew 13:4, 19). The kingdom of this world is held under the power of darkness (Col 1:13), it's inhabitants held captive by the devil (2 Timothy 2:26).
When one looks at the consequences of suppressing truth in unrighteousness, that is to reject the revelation of God to your soul, in favor of a god of your own making, it becomes evident that we are witnessing the "giving up by God" in a very large measure in society today (Romans 1:18-32). Understand that this is a judgment of God against those who reject Him. He allows them to advance deeper and deeper into moral filth. Read this passage of scripture, and let it sink in. The wicked lifestyles that we see running rampant today, are the tragic results of an individual, a society, a nation, that has been given over to depravity, by God. Paul says the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). He goes on to list sins that are running rampant today. Fornication, homosexuality, murder, deceit, slander, among many others named, are found everywhere, even within the professing Church today. We even see "Christian ministers and teachers encouraging and promoting such things today. Once again, understand that to plunge into the depths of depravity, is a sign of being "turned over" by God. He is letting go, allowing you to persist in sin, unrestrained.
Paul tells us that the mystery of lawlessness is at work until the one who restrains is taken out of the way. Imagine a world where there is no longer any moral restraint. What we see now is evil enough. We have witnessed a great moral decline in a very short time, yet God still restrains it. He may let some go as we have just seen, but yet He is restraining evil. Imagine a world where there is no longer any restraint! This is what will occur prior to the return of Christ. The world will be filled with all manner of sin and wickedness, such as has never been seen yet.
Jesus Christ, in offering Himself for fallen man, has defeated the powers of darkness (Col 2:15). He came to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8), and has rendered him (Satan) powerless (Hebrews 2:14). We have victory in Christ. We are set free from bondage to sin. We no longer have to give in to temptation, we no longer have to fall, we have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). Through faith in Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness, being made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-40. In Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is come. In other words, we are changed (2 Cor 5:17). This is the gospel, salvation from sin.
This is great news for mankind, and we should be shouting it from the rooftops. Sadly, many in the professing Church today keep this news from the very ones who need it. A great many teachers take it upon themselves to redefine sin, telling those bound in its grip, that what they are doing is who they are; they were born that way, some even say that God made them that way. Instead of taking the word of God for what it says, they use science and psychology to explain why we are the way we are.
Some teach that God forgives, but they leave out repentance, and the fact that salvation is a life change. They fail to teach others that salvation is more than forgiveness, it is freedom from sinning as well.
Others choose to be silent. They do not wish to offend or hurt another. They think that it is unloving to confront an individual in sin. They are quick to cry "judge not!" Sadly, their "love" is leaving people hell bound, lost in sin.
We see a Church today that is affirming sinful lifestyles, encouraging people to cast of guilt and shame, and to have a high esteem of themselves. We have become "politically correct." We care more about including everybody, than we care about their eternal souls, and the purity of the Church.
This is the mystery of lawlessness at work. Teachers and pastors are led by their passions and desires instead of the word of God. We have decided to become like the world, instead of forsaking the world, in the hopes of bringing in people. Jesus warns us that the enemy will sow tares among the wheat, and this is exactly what we see happening today (Matt 13:25).
We are in desperate need of a spiritual revival within the Church today. O how we need to be awakened, and turned from the lukewarm worldliness, and lethargy that is so prevalent among God's professing children today. We are called to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. We are to be salt, but it seems that we have lost much of our saltiness (Matt 5:13-14). It is time to cry out to God; to humble ourselves before Him, and seek His face, that He would come in power once again, and fill His Church with His glory; that he would cleanse us, so that we would be found by Him holy and unblemished, free from spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27). This is our present need- the presence of Christ within our midst.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 NASB
We see a mystery of lawlessness at work today. We have a society with no standards. We are witnessing a complete moral decay in our culture today. Things that were shameful to even mention just a few generations ago, are now brazenly shoved in our faces by people with no shame.
Sin (rebellion) has indeed been in the world from the very day the serpent cast doubt into the heart of Eve; "Hath God said (Genesis 3:1)?" Nations and civilizations have plunged into the depths of depravity, in the same way we see today, doing shameful things with increasing boldness, until they crumbled and fell. John tells us that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Tragically, the professing Church has in a great measure embraced the sinful lifestyles of the world around it. This casting off of restraint has permeated the Church. It takes no great stretch of the imagination to see a great falling away from the faith in this day (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1) What God intended to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), no longer holds to absolutes. Things have become blurred. What was once held forth as truth, is now rejected as being outdated, irrelevant, and no longer culturally acceptable.
The word of God tells of a time when men will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, will seek out teachers who will tell them the things that they want to hear. They will turn away from the truth, and embrace teachings that promote their sinful cravings (2 Timothy 3-4). Paul makes it clear in this passage of scripture, that it is lust; the passions and cravings of mankind, that lie at the heart of this departure from truth. Men reject truth, because it goes against their selfish desires.
Look at what the word of God has to say about lust. In Ephesians 2:2-3, Paul writes that the believers in Ephesus had at one time walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. He goes on to write that we all lived in this way in times past, fulfilling the lusts of the mind and the flesh. By nature, we were children of wrath. What does he mean by nature? He means selfishness; living for our passions and lusts, not caring how our lifestyles and actions affect God or anybody else. This is at the heart of sin and rebellion.
Notice what James tells us about temptation in James 1:13-15. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts. Something catches our attention, excites our passions, and then we give into our desire and sin. Notice how the serpent enticed the desire of Eve (Genesis 3:6). The serpent had brought the character of God into question, and now Eve, looking upon the forbidden tree with it's fruit, has the boldness to partake of it, give some to Adam, and sin. She chose to gratify her passion rather than obey God. Peter warns us to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
Lust is the source of the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). When you look at all of the killing, the broken homes, the sexual immorality, dishonesty, anarchy, and so on, in this world, understand that it is the fruit of selfish man in pursuit of his inner lusts. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, is what has made this world what it is today (1 John 2:15-17).
We see something interesting in the account of the temptation of Jesus. The devil took Jesus up to a high mountain, and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world. He then offered Jesus all of these kingdoms, if He would fall down and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). Now either the devil is lying, and cannot give these kingdoms to anyone, or he actually controls them. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies under his power (1 John 5:19). We are told that sin entered the world, and death through sin, by the transgression of Adam (Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12-14). At the point of Adams sin, Satan gained control of this world, enticing men, through their desires, causing them to sin. I do not believe that the devil is personally tempting someone every time they sin; man is fully capable of arousing his passions on his own, but ultimately, the devil has his way as man selfishly lives for the gratification of his inner desires. We are told that the "god of this age" has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the gospel should shine on them (2 Cor 4:4). Jesus teaches us that the wicked one takes away the word that is sown in hard hearts (Matthew 13:4, 19). The kingdom of this world is held under the power of darkness (Col 1:13), it's inhabitants held captive by the devil (2 Timothy 2:26).
When one looks at the consequences of suppressing truth in unrighteousness, that is to reject the revelation of God to your soul, in favor of a god of your own making, it becomes evident that we are witnessing the "giving up by God" in a very large measure in society today (Romans 1:18-32). Understand that this is a judgment of God against those who reject Him. He allows them to advance deeper and deeper into moral filth. Read this passage of scripture, and let it sink in. The wicked lifestyles that we see running rampant today, are the tragic results of an individual, a society, a nation, that has been given over to depravity, by God. Paul says the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). He goes on to list sins that are running rampant today. Fornication, homosexuality, murder, deceit, slander, among many others named, are found everywhere, even within the professing Church today. We even see "Christian ministers and teachers encouraging and promoting such things today. Once again, understand that to plunge into the depths of depravity, is a sign of being "turned over" by God. He is letting go, allowing you to persist in sin, unrestrained.
Paul tells us that the mystery of lawlessness is at work until the one who restrains is taken out of the way. Imagine a world where there is no longer any moral restraint. What we see now is evil enough. We have witnessed a great moral decline in a very short time, yet God still restrains it. He may let some go as we have just seen, but yet He is restraining evil. Imagine a world where there is no longer any restraint! This is what will occur prior to the return of Christ. The world will be filled with all manner of sin and wickedness, such as has never been seen yet.
Jesus Christ, in offering Himself for fallen man, has defeated the powers of darkness (Col 2:15). He came to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8), and has rendered him (Satan) powerless (Hebrews 2:14). We have victory in Christ. We are set free from bondage to sin. We no longer have to give in to temptation, we no longer have to fall, we have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). Through faith in Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness, being made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-40. In Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is come. In other words, we are changed (2 Cor 5:17). This is the gospel, salvation from sin.
This is great news for mankind, and we should be shouting it from the rooftops. Sadly, many in the professing Church today keep this news from the very ones who need it. A great many teachers take it upon themselves to redefine sin, telling those bound in its grip, that what they are doing is who they are; they were born that way, some even say that God made them that way. Instead of taking the word of God for what it says, they use science and psychology to explain why we are the way we are.
Some teach that God forgives, but they leave out repentance, and the fact that salvation is a life change. They fail to teach others that salvation is more than forgiveness, it is freedom from sinning as well.
Others choose to be silent. They do not wish to offend or hurt another. They think that it is unloving to confront an individual in sin. They are quick to cry "judge not!" Sadly, their "love" is leaving people hell bound, lost in sin.
We see a Church today that is affirming sinful lifestyles, encouraging people to cast of guilt and shame, and to have a high esteem of themselves. We have become "politically correct." We care more about including everybody, than we care about their eternal souls, and the purity of the Church.
This is the mystery of lawlessness at work. Teachers and pastors are led by their passions and desires instead of the word of God. We have decided to become like the world, instead of forsaking the world, in the hopes of bringing in people. Jesus warns us that the enemy will sow tares among the wheat, and this is exactly what we see happening today (Matt 13:25).
We are in desperate need of a spiritual revival within the Church today. O how we need to be awakened, and turned from the lukewarm worldliness, and lethargy that is so prevalent among God's professing children today. We are called to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. We are to be salt, but it seems that we have lost much of our saltiness (Matt 5:13-14). It is time to cry out to God; to humble ourselves before Him, and seek His face, that He would come in power once again, and fill His Church with His glory; that he would cleanse us, so that we would be found by Him holy and unblemished, free from spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27). This is our present need- the presence of Christ within our midst.
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