Then the foe we must all overcome in the trying
#1 Assure that the leadership is theologically skewed, morally corrupted, and culturally compliant with government regulated speech and what they consider to be “hate”, the removal of pluralism, free speech of the dissenting variety, the sanctioning of LGBTQ, SSM, and other lifestyles adversely affecting their membership.
“. . . if gold rust, what then will iron do,
For if a priest be foul in whom we trust No wonder that a common man should rust.” –Chaucer
Let it be noted that all people sin and therefore need a savior to redeem them. Unless of course they wish to deny their sin and or attempt to save themselves, in which case Jesus’ death was entirely in vain and of no use to that individual. May our churches be filled with adulterers, thieves, gossips, liars, idolaters, LGBTQ, and the like–NOT so that they may remain in their poor condition and continue to practice that which defiles and destroys them. Rather to the end that they find mature Christians at their side, loving them and directing them–to the end that they submit themselves to Jesus Christ and His work.
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.” –Philippians 2:13, AB
The Christians conformity is not to any man, this worldly system of pleasure and or materialism as a god, rather a meaningful relationship with God as a disciple (disciplined to His truth) that yields these distinctive fruits:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” –Galatians 5:22-23 Watch for them!
Consider that Jesus is the ultimate Conversion Therapist: “Such WERE (past tense) Some of You”. Jesus will never leave us where we discovered He first loved us.
“Don’t you know that evil people won’t have a share in the blessings of God’s kingdom? Don’t fool yourselves! No one who is immoral or worships idols or is unfaithful in marriage or is a pervert or behaves like a homosexual will share in God’s kingdom. Neither will any thief or greedy person or drunkard or anyone who curses and cheats others. Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God.” –I Corinthians 6:9-11
The church and its ministers are not placed here to condemn, fix, change or curse, but to faithfully love and to teach with consistency to God’s Word. Neither are they asked to cave and conform in the name of compassion or care. They and we all must be “Wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Their job and calling is to make disciples who are more and more like Jesus because of the Word and their faithful teaching of the same Word. It is not about changing ourselves, rather leaving any and all changing up to God. That is why sin can have a past tense and forgiveness in a new life journey with hope, peace, and eternal security.
#2 Continue the emasculation of the church body. (the church is people-not a building) Fewer and fewer men means no more irritating, socially unacceptable male patriarchy (all skin colors). It also means the continued dissolve of the core family as women and children play out their roles wondering why the God-created male work did not go away with the males–why depression, homelessness, poverty and hopelessness go up with their absence from their God-given role and purpose.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” –II Timothy 3:16
#3 Deny and Debunk the Book. The bible is such a resilient book. Centuries of “very smart” thinkers have attempted to explain it away, if not convince people to pay it no homage. The premise is that if the bible is somehow discredited, ignored or disbelieved, it will lose its power, authority and impact on people of this world. Pulpits are rendered impotent by ministers who deny its whole truth for the whole man and the eternal church. Watch as such men who willingly give their souls to cultural compliance in exchange for acceptance and popularity with this world leave the sacred desk, turn and shout obscenities as they do. They will be the first to say that the bible is a “dangerous book” and the church is a farce as their testimony withers along with their soul.
It was the great theologian, Elvis Presley who said, “
“Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t goin’ away.”
THE FOE WE ALL MUST FACE –The friend we must deny.
“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” -Jesus–Mathew 16:18″
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man is a friend of sinners and eats with them.” –Luke 15:1-3
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.” –Ephesians 5:25
“But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” –Matthew 4:4
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12
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