A Call For Action!
On many a pulpit, human psychology has replaced Holy Spirit preaching. Positive thinking has replaced prophetic teaching. Spirituality has been kicked out the back door and carnality now reigns supreme. We have exchanged fasting with feasting, praying with programming, and fellowshipping with frolicking!
The State of the Christless
Over 2000 years after the Great Commission was given, it is alarming that huge segments of the human population representing billions of hell-bound souls are still in spiritual chains. There is an explosion of immorality, Satanism and wickedness all around us. The Devil is actually having a field day messing up lives, homes and nations as never before. This is an immense challenge to this generation of believers.The question is, what are you personally doing about it?
The State of the Church
The challenge is not just about evangelism, as important as that is, it is also about discipleship.It is about sowing seeds AND nurturing the plants to fruitfulness in the church.In this age of megachurches, what is the condition of the vast majority of our church members? Church congregations are teeming with half-baked Christians.Dreamers instead of disciples. So-called `born again Christians' that are not really fruit-bearing disciples of Christ.Christians who are in church primarily because they want to become rich not because they want to please God.Believers that are more concerned about the cash, than about the cross.These days it is becoming normal for so-called Christians to lie, cheat, and even fight without qualms! Divorce is becoming commonplace in the church, and many of us are no different from average unbelievers in our lifestyles. Ananias and Saphira would look like angels in comparison to many of today's serious believers!
The State of the Clergy
It goes without saying that the condition of any church is to a large extent a reflection of the kind of leader it is saddled with.If the sheep is sick, starving and suffering, the shepherd cannot be said to be guiltless.So we know exactly where to pass the buck when it comes to who is responsible for the shallow, watered-down Christianity that is prevalent all around us.
Unfortunately many of our clergymen have become professors instead of possessors.We preach so much and practice so little.Church is now big business where the `blessings' of God are traded for cash."Sow $100 and reap 10 miracles'' . What a shame! We have turned the Father's House to a place of unscrupulous merchandising, fake miracles, and questionable anointing.
On many a pulpit, human psychology has replaced Holy Spirit preaching. Positive thinking has replaced prophetic teaching. Spirituality has been kicked out the back door and carnality now reigns supreme. We have exchanged fasting with feasting, praying with programming, and fellowshipping with frolicking! Nobody is preaching repentance, hell and judgement anymore. Now, Christianity is all about miracles, money and merriment.Sunday after Sunday, we gather the people together for entertainment with our cross-denying feel good theology.
Yesterday's clergymen are today's celebrities. Some of us are so flashy that even Hollywood stars would find it difficult keeping pace with our flamboyant extravagant lifestyles!
We Do Not Well!
(Revelations 3:14-20)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
In the light of these scriptures, how many of us can honestly say we are what we ought to be? Does not our coldness testify against us? We stand in dire need of of a real spiritual awakening. We must stir up ourselves, shake the dust from off our backs, and become proactive in the things of God. All who are cold must become hot, and those who are lukewarm must start boiling! Nothing short of blazing hearts and flaming tongues will satisfy our Christ. Where ever you choose to start from, whatever you choose to do, the most important thing is to START now . Get involved!
Charles