How Then, Can We Preach Christ Jesus?
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Professors of the faith have betrayed the Lord and entered into an unholy alliance with the world. It is clearly seen in Christian interactions and transactions greatly resembling that of those who do not claim to have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and have never claimed a love relationship with our Lord. Though we have insisted we love the Lord; that our inheritance is from above, that our hearts are set on New Jerusalem and not on anything in this world, some of us nevertheless, exhibit behavior that are no different from unbelievers, and conduct ourselves in ways which cannot pass the test of Scripture. We boast we are not “of” this world and yet we seem to have this insatiable appetite for things of the world. How can the church then, tell the unsaved that their hopes are built upon things temporal if we have set our hopes upon the same?
This is one of the peculiarities of human nature, one of the mysteries of poor fallen man. It is a marvelous inconsistency, an unaccountable contradiction in judgment and morals that the Christian pot, should call the non-Christian kettle black, and yet nothing is more common than to hear or read Christians exposing their neighbor’s alleged sins while surreptitiously committing the same, if not worse sins themselves. So we find the Christian profaner abuses the unrepentant profaner, the Christian thief decries the unsaved thief, the Christian slanderer scandalizes the worldly slanderer, the Christian sexual immoralist points righteous fingers of indignation against secular sexual decadence. How utterly absurd!
We cannot be a member of the church and deny the awful reality of manifested pride among professed and confessed saints of God. Only the blind cannot see Christian aristocracy that surpasses in many instances, worldly institutions and elite associations. There is no point in denying it, the proof is too clear and the truth too vociferous. We know that there are allies of Satan, disguised as saints of God, sitting in the pews of every church and some, sadly, holds positions of authority and leadership.
Pope Benedict XVI apology for the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. During a Mass in Westminster Cathedral he said in his homily;
“I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives.”
"I also acknowledge with you the shame and humiliation that all of us have suffered because of these sins," he said. Benedict said he hoped "this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people."
We also know that there are so-called respectable houses of worship in every city where those living on the fringes of society dare not show their face without risking a hostile encounter. The haughtiness of the 21st century Christian church has become almost as great as the pride of ancient Sodom. Whereas the real glory of the church is that “the poor have the gospel preached to them,” the gospel many church leaders are preaching to the poor is a different kind of gospel.
"We're not just a church, we're an international corporation," Long told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as he defended himself against criticism that he had profited too generously from a charity his church created. Between 1997 and 2000, the pastor earned $3 million from the charity, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries Inc., the paper showed.
"We're not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can't talk and all we're doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around this world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation," Long told the paper. "You've got to put me on a different scale than the little black preacher sitting over there that's supposed to be just getting by because the people are suffering."
So how does the world respond? It accuses the church of the same pride we condemn it for. We, who present ourselves as humble followers of Christ Jesus, disciples of the Fisherman of Galilee, are guilty of the same arrogance. The world does not pretend to follow a God in whom they have no belief. Their stance is the stance of Pharaoh, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” But if Christians who claim salvation through the saving blood of Jesus Christ, the conviction of the Holy Spirit and a new life through the new birth yet live as the world lives, how then, can we effectively preach Christ Jesus?
I am neither surprised nor offended when the world throw back at us, as it has, our being no different from them and confronts us with the truth of our own sins. The world cleverly turns our pretentious claims into a shameful boomerang which curves perfectly and lands back on us with deadly force. We are no longer powerful and influential witnesses for the cause of Christ Jesus. Armed with Christian ungodliness, the world becomes a potent voice that drowns out the frail whispers of Christianity. The world does not listen to our claims because they have taken notice of our contradictory behavior. Too many of our lives are inconsistent with the word we preach.
The condition of our places of worship is in crisis. The world laughs and mocks when we who sing “They will know we are Christians by our love,” explode into heated controversy and battle within our own ranks. Those within the church who gossip, backstab, mistreat, defraud, deceive, betray and hurt others are creating permanent division, crippling the cause of Christ and further indistinguishing ourselves from the secular world. If we tell the world its wars and chaos come from unbelief, where does Christian strife and disputes come from? If we declare to the world that their rivalry and conflict stem from their unregenerate nature, what causes altercations and discord among the saints of God? If our sins are the same sins, how then, can we effectively preach Christ Jesus and Him crucified?
This unholy alliance with Satan is a picture of the tragedy which occurs when individual Christians, leaders and institutions become allies of secular power against Jesus, against His insights, His Spirit, His teaching, His salvation. Over and over again we see it repeated year after year; shameful compromises and alliances with the god of this world. We see it whenever Christianity becomes parasitic, not standing courageously proclaiming its divine challenge to evil and injustice, but existing as a mere appendage of an established order, sanctioning ways of life that are wholly unchristian. How then, can we preach Christ Jesus?
Spectators from the world enjoy observing our hypocrisy and inane disputes and bickering. It keeps the focus off of them and gives justification to their distorted way of thinking and living. The misfortune of this inanity is that the testimony of Jesus Christ is diluted and its credibility impaired. How ignorant so many of us are of God and His ways! If we are known by our fruits, what kind of fruit are we producing?
Sometimes I think, that all the unjust tortures and persecutions experienced by God’s saints through all the centuries, did not do as much damage to the cause of Christ as the inconsistencies of Christians living in this modern day. It brings sorrow to souls of true saints to admit that many in the Body are in fact, allies with Satan and tearing down as we seek to build up. Christian failures seem to be the order of the day and the media teem with accusations against the Christian faith.
To my mind, the problem can only be solved in the shameless confrontation of sin itself, and the fact argues how little we study ourselves in the light of ourselves much less in the magnifying glass of God’s holiness. The midnight veil of pride and selfishness and lusts are the worst form of sin’s blindness, and no one can ever rise above these criminal inconsistencies until examination of self, in the light of divine justice, leads us to see ourselves as God sees us. Alexander Pope expressed the problem well when he wrote:
Of all the causes which conspire to blind
Man's erring judgment, and misguide the mind;
What the weak head with strongest bias rules,—
Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools.
Nevertheless, regardless of how valid some of the accusations against the church may be, the world cannot lull itself into believing that casting blame will excuse it from its own transgressions. When all is said and done, we know that God who intends for us to grow has put us into a risky world, surrounded by influences both for better and worse, for good and evil, and we cannot shift responsibility but must make our own creative choice. We know as well as Adam did that alibis and excuses will not work. The God we must reckon with will not be put off by references to the sins of the church. When He speaks it will not be in terms of them, or it, but you.
There is always a time when confusion of conscious wrongdoing is confronted by the steady truth that is inescapable. Try to know better than God, to break the laws of life, to imagine that our cleverness and our clutching after power and material gain will have the final word, and we stand at the end of the day dumb before the quietness of God. As Kipling in Recessional said, "The tumult and the shouting dies, the captains and the kings depart." The excitement over the tricks we played, the masks we wore, the smart evasion we thought we could get away with, look cheap and futile. God is not mocked.
At best, Christians are all simply imperfect people who recognize our immense need for a Savior. Then, at length, we find that the only thing to save us is a humble and contrite spirit. So that in the end we may attain to the great hope expressed by Paul, that we have “taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” Colossians 3:9-10.
Amen!
- The Mega Church Charity Only Benifits Bishop Eddie Long - Assata Shakur Speaks - Hands Off Assata -
The Mega Church Charity Only Benifits Bishop Eddie Long Bishop's charity generous to bishop New Birth's Eddie Long got $3 million By JOHN BLAKE The - CBC News - World - Pope apologizes to abuse victims
Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday he was ashamed of the unspeakable sexual abuse of children by priests, telling the British faithful during Mass in Westminster Cathedral that he was deeply sorry.
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Hi Sandyspider. Thanks for the comments.
Yes, we are all imperfect creatures. But I do think that as Christians who claim to be empowered by the power of God, we should be more perfect than the "world."
I still love your avatar.
Love,peace and joy in Him,
Forever His,
RevLady, Wonderful spirit filled expository MESSAGE!
“There is no point in denying it, the proof is too clear and the truth too vociferous. We know that there are allies of satan, disguised as saints of God, sitting in the pews of every church and some, sadly, holds positions of authority and leadership.“ AMEN! This is quite true!
We are living in a time when GOOD is called evil and evil good. This is why it is so important that we encourage others to BUILD an ongoing personal intimate relationship with the Lord through Jesus Christ and pray for discernment! There is much manipulation and deception about us!
I think it is very important that we continuously pray seek God’s face and present the TRUTH of HIS WORD and TRUST HIS Holy Spirit to work! “In season and out of season…” When HIS WORD is compromised; Rather than many being set free; strongholds are being erected! Sin is being accepted! The LOVE of God is being misconstrued and unconditional acceptance of sin is embraced instead… The Word of GOD is for the one delivering the message as well as the one receiving. It is a two edged sword that cuts both ways! The WORD of GOD is POWERFUL! It has the power to do spiritual surgery. What we are seeing within HIS CHURCH is a lot of the works of the flesh rather than the manifestation of HIS SPIRIT! LORD HELP US!
“Character is who we are when NOBODY but GOD is watching!” It really is not about what others think! It is about what GOD KNOWS! “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it… In an ongoing growing relationship with the Lord you will discover all you will ever need! This is why we ALL NEED A SAVIOR! It is only through Jesus Christ we can be more than “conquerors”
“Then, at length, we find that the only thing to save us is a humble and contrite spirit. So that in the end we may attain to the great hope expressed by Paul, that we have “taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” Colossians 3:9-10.” Amen!
Thank you for this marvelous insightful MESSAGE! We must ALWAYS first examine ourselves in the LIGHT of HIS WORD! In HIS Love, Grace, Joy, Peace & Blessings! I AM ON THE LORD'S SIDE!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
You have hit a tender spot with me, here. I hate to admit it, but I often feel timid about announcing my Christianity because I fear being judged as other Christians have been; "Christian failures seem to be the order of the day and the media teem with accusations against the Christian faith."
I realize that the mistakes of other Christians should not represent me, but I seem to fear that others will classify me as a hypocrite. Leading my life as a good example seems to be the easiest way for me to "shine my light," though I do not think it's enough.
"At best, Christians are all simply imperfect people who recognize our immense need for a Savior." Perhaps this statement should be kept closer to my heart to help me with my struggle.
Thank you for this hub, RevLady
Dear Rev Lady,
Very good hub!! It really rested well in my Spirit. We are all sinners and not one stroke of the law will be satisfied until it is all over.
Matthew 5:18-19 tells us that not one of us can cast judgement on sin, because until it is finished (The Judgement) we all stand dead in our sin. Then our Grace will be awarded. Jesus will Justify the Righteous.
DeBorrah,
Thank you for the electrifying comments. Your insight is remarkable and indeed, Christians are living in the midst of a fake world where deception and pretence is overwhelming. Those who fail to stay in the Word of God will no doubt experience failure of strength and perhaps, unknowingly, become allies with the enemy of God.
As you so graciously pointed out, it should NEVER be about what others think. Our main concern should be about the One to whom we must one day give an account.
I am grateful for your sharing and inspiring all readers, most of all me. God is using you in a mighty way!
Ama,
I hear your concern and appreciate you sharing it. I wonder, however, if failing to acknowledge your faith does not create an inner conflict which disturbs your Christian peace? “But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33.
We are classified as hypocrites regardless because we are one Body of Christ. It cannot be avoided until we, as the Body, change. The target is the Body, not individuals per se though it is individuals claiming to be members of the Body that creates the face of hypocrisy.
Christiansister,
Thank you for visiting and sharing your interesting thoughts. We rejoice in knowing that whatever is, life is proceeding according to His divine will and purpose.
Bless you my sisters in Christ Jesus and may He continue to be your life blood.
Love, peace and joy in Him,
Forever His,
I did not mean to say we cannot judge sin, we do that for ourselves. I meant to say judge sinners.
Pastor Saundra, you say the exact same things here as I wish I'd said in many of my Hubs though it appears I've been shooting around the circle while you got to the essential core.
If given the option, which I most certainly have, I'd rather be the poor little preacher with $2 and trying to make it do the work of $20 than to be on the other end. No thanks. I'm happy exactly where God put me. In the trenches. I don't truly believe there's any other place for me than right where I am.
Often, Bishop and I have stated aloud what we could do with just a tiny crumb of what these other people have. Perhaps we don't have it because God knows we can take a little and make it do a lot.
When you come up poor, you learn to be resourceful. You learn to be grateful for what little you do get. You learn that being "as broke as a joke" ain't no tumultuous issue cuz it's an everyday thing.
Look, there are many whom are exposed as double agents for satan. It's always been that way. For as long as humans reside on this earth, there will always be those who think they're nickleslick and believe they can roll on both sides of the fence. As you said, many are sitting in the pews, but far more are in the pulpit.
You have developed a very succinct and focused expose of this issue. Sadly, those who it's aimed at will not be convicted as they'll rationalize it to fit their agenda.
There are those who can be reeled back in as they're not too far out to sea yet. It is why, in the end, we sometimes gotta lose the bumpersticker preaching and just be the message.
Being a Christian and proclaiming it is a hard thing to do, society has lumped the meaning into anyone who goes to church.
Many I love to call brothers and sisters, some well a stand back and watch the fruit of their actions. Can I judge, of course not but I elect to distance myself somewhat when I see the results.
The fruit is in the way we live, when we can look deep within ourselves and sense what God sees in us.
Well written and certainly a hub which makes us revisit our faith.
Blessings and Hugs
Your hubs are always great lessons.
This one however deserves an extra HERE HERE.
I am ocasionaly asked if I am a Christian I usually answer, Don't know, I do know that Jesus has a relationship with me and is working on making a better person out of me. If that is whatcha mean? YEP! I AM!
That was a powerful message.....it felt as if I were in the church house!
After a lesson like this one, I simply have to reflect, absorb and take a hearty reevaluation of my own self.
Thank you for giving me the mirror ~
Christiansister,
I understood and I agree. To judge sinners is to usurp God’s authority.
UG,
I relate to all you have stated and share your thoughts and feelings. I am who God said I am and my condition is as God has purposed. We rejoice in the ministries He has given us for He knew what He gave us was meant for those to whom He would send our way to minister to in His name.
“There are those who can be reeled back in as they're not too far out to sea yet. It is why, in the end, we sometimes gotta lose the bumpersticker preaching and just be the message.” AMEN!
Quill,
It is the sad truth that the world looks at church goers to make their assessment. Of course, the church ideally should be members of the true Body of Christ. We know that this is not always the case. A church consisting of hundreds may only have twenty members of the true Body in it.
We are known by the fruits we bear. Lack of fruit or false fruit is revealing and unfortunately, it is what the world grabs hold and flings back at the Body in general.
Jerami,
AMEN! AMEN! Perfect response.
Onegoodwoman,
I think it is so vital that we constantly stay in God’s Word that we might see ourselves as He see us. This requires continual self-examination through His divine mirror, to be sure we are in the faith. We cannot take it for granted. As the song goes, “It’s me, it’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”
It has been my discovery that when I view myself through the lens of God, what He reveals humbles me and tempers my perception of others.
Thank you all for your wise commentaries and sharing with others that we might all benefit from each others insight and pain as we travel the way of the cross.
Love, peace and joy in Him, whose redeeming blood covers our sins.
Forever His,
I really don't know what to say.I don't go to church.I wish i could find one that i would feel comfortable in.I used to go,disappointments arise and there is a falling away,but the love and hope in God is with me.I know that God hears me and knows my heart.May i never do or say anything that would hurt another.I pray that i might live in such a way that people who do not believe there is a God, will believe. This message lifted me spiritually.Thank you RevLady.
Whether you associate with a building house of worship or not, you are still a member of the true church, the Body of Christ. All glory to God!
God bless you AE, the great poet, and thank you for visiting.
Forever His,
"Sometimes I think, that all the unjust tortures and persecutions experienced by God’s saints through all the centuries, did not do as much damage to the cause of Christ as the inconsistencies of Christians living in this modern day." - Bullseye!!
It is so true. We(the church)really don't look much different than the rest of the world behaviorly speaking.
We wag our tongue and shake our finger on certain moral fronts of social immorality and on others we are jumping into bed with them.
I like Pauls confrontation in Corinthians that we are to judge those who call themselves followers of Christ yet practice evil. We are NOT to judge the world because the word says that God will judge them. In other words we need to be maintaining the genuiness of our own faith and tend to keeping of our own backyard before we have anything to say to a world that doesnt know Him.
We have run into deep trouble evangelistically speaking because of the matter of judging the world but not ourselves. We for sure appear to be hypocritacle to a watching world that is in great need of salvation.
There are stern warnings in the New Testament for attempting to live in both worlds. I only know this because some time ago My Lord confronted me with them and sent me on an extreme course correction that forced me to look at the very issues you have addressed in this hub
I have concluded that our God is worthy of our loyalty to live for Him and not our sin and selves. And the church itself needs to side whose team they are on.
We cannot eat from the table of the Lord and the table of demons much longer before a holy confrontation will be in order.
A blessed and necessary exhortation. I was amening all the way through it.
Your hub, Reverend Lady, brought something to mind that I just read how HR’s are choosing whom they will first interview: by how they are dressed and how they present themselves in the first 90 seconds – attitude most importantly!
The world is looking at Christians by how we present ourselves: how we dress (yes!), how we talk and carry-on (yes!), how we present ourselves over-all (yes!). But then, we shouldn’t claim to be something we are not, just for the sake is receiving recognition.
Often, too, we “wear a mask” and don’t know it or won’t recognize it because of our arrogance and pride.
“Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” Now that you mention it, I have heard this question many times! But as Christians who claim salvation through the blood of Jesus, as you said here in your hub, we live our lives, or should, evident by “the conviction of the Holy Spirit.”
It happens, RevLady, the spirit of fear takes hold and paralyzes us, freezing us to the very core. “How then, can we preach Christ Jesus?” How indeed! We need to remember that moment when we made the acquaintance of our first love, Jesus Christ; to remember how He gripped our hearts and filled us with a Hope, and boldness to speak and shout, beyond anything we had ever felt. When I was a new babe in Christ I had voice, and my desire was to tell everyone how He saved me. Suddenly I went mute.
I too, Reverend Lady, like others here, have allowed a mask to be glued on my face and fear (of doubt and depression) to take hold. But I praise God for the strength of those like you that He has chosen to do His work, to reach and teach and remind His ever-stumbling sheep. You see, I am here again today, reading your hub(s), learning and meditating on His words. “We stand at the end of the day dumb before the quietness of God.” :)
Please forgive that I have more-or-less written a book here today. I had a heavy load in my heart to release. Thank you for listening. :)
Much love and many BIG hugs, in Christ Jesus,
VKA
oh yeah..I the picture of the wolf in sheeps clothing is awesome and so relevant to the topic
Tamarajo,
Tamarajo,
Girlfriend, I could not have put it any better than you have. Yes, we are to tell the story to the world but judge those claiming to be members of the Body of Christ.
The Church is indeed in Crisis and must repent of its sins. We are leading some astray and turning others away, and making His true saints look hypocritical as well and God is not pleased.
The key, as you affirmed is keeping in the Word of God, for it convicts the heart of true saints when we get off-center. Oh how He loves us so!
The picture seemed to jump out me and I thought it was appropriate to depict the state of church affairs. Thank you for your support.
Thank you and all glory to God Tamarajo. As you said, He is so worthy of our complete obedience, loyalty, honor and service. That He should condescend for such as us should keep us humble and following the path He has set before us.
VKA,
As with Tamarajo, I agree with you in all respects. I understand the fears that can stop us in our tracks and spiritually immobilize us. God knows and He understands and through prayer, He does strengthen us so that the next time (or two or three) we encounter a like situation, we find a strength we did not know we had.
Also, I think once we have been released from the bondage of self, we become fearless. When it is truly, “no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me,” a new power is released because we know that no one or no thing can do anything to us, but to Christ Himself and He can handle it.
I rejoice in getting feedback that affirms God’s using me as His vessel through which He speaks to His people. He loves us with a love that will not let us go, even when we run away like the prodigal or disappoint Him like Peter, or fail Him like all the disciples. The wonder of our Lord is that He never looks at where we are, but where we will be in Him. You have grown greatly from where you use to be and even where you are today, is not where you will be in the fullness of time. All glory to God.
I love you ladies. I sense that God is working so creatively in your lives and I praise Him for allowing me to benefit from your insights and truths. Thank you for sharing your glorious experiences and knowledge. It is my prayer that other readers will be as spiritually elevated as I am.
Love, peace and joy in Him!
Forever His,
When some say what you have said in this hub, it comes off sounding "Holier than thou" God seemed to direct every word, as though it were coming from Himself! Strong admonishion mixed with grace. Not many could pull this off so effectively. You Did!
This hub goes down to the quick. It was great. I really agree with Quills comment when he spoke of society lumping the true meaning of being a christian. Paying tithes is Gods law and not a remission, nor attendance, nor the words you may speak. I know, that you know this. The God I serve is not watered down nor diluted. He full of power and full of glory and He will always be my God. This hub was absolutely wonderful my friend. God bless you RevLady
Excellent work and soooo true my dear Pastor Saundra!
Besides my regular church, I travel and visit others during my missions and it truly amazes me sometimes what I observe "invisibly" going on in some of these places (oh, and great photo too!) and also out in plain sight but somehow unbeknownst to most.
DeBorrah made some great points in her comment and as "Unchained" noted, sometimes these poor old country preachers are doing the best work, cause they are keepin' it REAL by working in the trenches.
I love getting up to my neck in a little dirt like that, how about the rest of ya? -AMEN
Thanks FA,
I appreciate your insight and apparent sensing of the Holy Spirit of God.
Now is the time for boldly speaking (or writing) the truth. We cannot be concerned with how people choose to interpret truth. We must work the works of Him that sent us while it is day; the night is rapidly approaching when no man can work. Amen?
JC,
All glory to God for your powerful words of inspiration and exaltation of our Lord. Contrary to many people’s perception, God is not a sweet little God sitting on some distance throne dismissing our sins. He is holy and has given us His commands. We need to stop the foolishness and be about our Father’s business.
Rev. Ted,
Great surprise finding you here today. Made my day beloved.
It does seem to be true that those who work the streets, where great suffering exist and ministry is sorely needed, are doing a great service in the Lord. I know what UG and Pastor Savage are doing and it takes great courage, perseverance, dedication to the Lord and strength of character which God is surely infusing them with.
I was just reading a hub about so many female veterans, some seriously wounded, who, now back home are homeless. I think it would be good if more churches included military ministries to reach out and minister to the needs of hurting veterans. But, I digress. Forgive me.
Thank you all for your support and inspiration. As members of the Body of Christ, God instructed us to attend to each other and I appreciate you attending to my spirit today.
Love, peace, and joy in Him!
Forever His,
This is indeed an excellent exposition.How true it is. No wonder the church has lost its glory and power because of the compromises it made with the world. True to Jesus Word regarding His prophecy about the last days, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Truly we are living in the endtimes where much deviation from the truth is observed. Thank you for bringing out this into light in this hub here at Hubpages. Blessings to you and best regards.
I am reminded of a comment that Corrie Ten Boom's father made regarding a minister who would have them give up the refugees in their attic. Betsy says, "Pappa, he is a man of the cloth!" Pappa says, "Just because a mouse is in a cookie jar doesn't make him a cookie."
There is a falling away of those who were lukewarm. those who found Christianity convenient. Others are prepared for this day and the days ahead. A new witness is coming.
Cristina,
The gift of your wisdom is much appreciated. It is so true. It seems that since it has been over 2000 years since He was here on earth, many do no longer believe Jesus will return, thus has joined Satan’s band. How sad that the blessedness once known is now lost to so many. May the Lord have mercy on our souls!
JR,
How brilliant and veracious are your comments. I appreciate the sharing of Boom’s father’s retort. Wise man. I had not heard it before but it reminded me of “going to church does not make one a Christian any more than going to a garage makes one a car.”
Yes, “Others are prepared for this day and the days ahead.” God always has and always will have His remnant. Elijah cried out to God believing he was the only one left that was faithful to Him. God assured him that 7,000 remained faithful to Him in Israel. All glory to God!
Bless you my sisters and I thank God for you and your precious visitation.
Love, peace and joy in Him!
Forever His,
Hi RL, very powerful writing. I can see by the comments we are not alone in seeing what is happening around us in the realm of Christendom. I read this last night and had a flood of thoughts come to mind, but what can I add to so much commentary but this... There is no time like the present (I Believe) to press God on these matters and to be calling out to him day and night... that if in Elijah's time there were 7000 faithful, how much and many more upon the whole earth are at this moment being faithful. It is true that a few bad apples spoil the bunch, and they will have their reward, but we have a job to do through our intercession as Daniel, humbled himself and prayed,and received an answer, because of his humility and his words... they were heard... so it says in 2Chron 7.14 "that IF my people, who are called by my name WILL HUMBLE themselves and pray" and pray with persistent effectual prayers of faith we will see him answer from heaven. Jesus himself saying when he comes, "Will I find faith on the earth?" Luke 18.8 Apparently we have a daunting task of bringing the world together to humbly seek his face. But, What a great medium we now have before us, that now more than ever we can come into a place of agreement. You are a Watchman on the wall, and I hear your cry! Blessings, St.L
AMEN Saintatlarge, AMEN!
God has indeed blessed us with a great medium and we are, more than previous ages, without excuse. I so agree with you in regards to humility. Greatly inspired by your hub, I am piggy backing on it with a hub I am currently working on. I trust it is okay with you? Of course reference to you, one of my most treasured inspirations will be included.
The Body of Christ has such power at our disposal in Him, which I think, is untapped due to a lack of humility (among other things I guess) obviating our joining together and praying as one Body in agreement and in complete faith needed for miracles to occur.
Your presence is welcome and your wisdom of great value to me and I am sure others as well. Thank you dearest Saint.
Love, peace and joy in our Creator God!
Forever His,
AMEN dear sister!
Love and hugs precious friend!
Forever His,
Thank you for the reference to my hub. You are more than welcome to use anything I have written for yourself. L.
Love you Saint. You will note it in my next hub. Thanks!
Forever His,
Dear Rev Lady : Thank you for always warning us to live with caution, because you are truly right. There is always evil somewhere, that could be anywhere, just waiting to destroy confidences we have in ourselves. GBY Dear Precious Heart.
Love and hugs Stars. Thank you for your ongoing support and meaningful comments. I feed on it.
Love, peace and hope in Him,
Forever His,
Praise Ye Yah! You are a voice crying in the wilderness Saundra! Christianity has allowed itself to assimilated into the mainstream to the point that it flows away from ever being steadfast and immovable. Temptations and evil spirits whisk it away, and in a blind belief that wealth and influence can lead people towards Christ, compromises become standards. Suddenly everything is acceptable and nothing is rebuked or chastised except those who see a need for rebuke and chastisement. Good has become evil and sour has become sweet. What an upside down world it is. Praise the Lord there are still some able to keep their feet firmly planted in the Word so the whole thing doesn't empty out. Peace.
All I can say AW is AMEN! We do praise the Lord for His faithful who are many but spread far and wide as to be hardly noticeable.
Love, peace and joy in Him!
Forever His,
Rev Lady,Sister Saundra: Amen and Amen! Priaise our Heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Let the truth be known. John the Baptist could not have said it better.
Pope benedict's statement is to little to late. Popes have come and popes have passed and still Catholic priests think it okay to molest boys and girls, their altar servers and then cover it all up. What's worse is the fact that throughout the years there have also been Nuns subjected to the powers of the parish priests in like manner. What's even more interesting is the fact that the head of the Catholic churches, The Vatican, owns its own Bank, which takes in collections of Tithing from around the world, yet try to get a dime from it for a church repair or a mortgage payment. Forget about it.
"We are not just a church but an international corporation."
I think not. If this were in the least bit truth, it would be listed on the stock exchange, and stockholders to answer to.
Brother Dave.
"I think not. If this were in the least bit truth, it would be listed on the stock exchange, and stockholders to answer to."
Brother Dave, this is so true but a thought that never entered my mind. Just goes to show how pride can blind people to their own disgrace.
When I read the Pope's statement the first thought I had was, "too little, too late" The status of Catholic and Protestant churches, right now, is sad and until we repent of our sins, we will continue to suffer.
Thank you for the enlightenment as well as encouragment.
Love, peace and hope in Him,
Forever His,
It's so true, I've been paralyzed by fear, instead of moved by faith many times, hiding, afraid to proclaim my God, just trying to fit in... One foot in, one foot out, living life one way, while talking to my Lord in the closet. But we are all faced with temptation everyday, even Billy Graham admits to being tempted, but the more we get to know our savior, the less we desire the things of this world,.. it's such an on-going process, growing in the word, loving our creator, none of us are without sin, all we can do is our best to be our best, and we can only be our best when we surrender our will to God....
Thank you for your posts, you are truly AMAZING! =)
I so much agree with you EBrenda. It is a difficult journey and a progressive one. We never really reach the requirements, but we strive lifelong. God sent His Son and His blood covers our sins. It is our love for Him that keeps us striving to be more and more like Him.
Someone once said, I'm not what I ought to be, I am not what I will be, but thank God, I am not what I use to be.
I deeply appreciate your comments that reveal deep insight and a humble spirit. You are indeed His child and I am privileged to have connected with you in this unique way. All glory to God!
Forever His,
My wise grandmother used to say "you'll find more demons in the church than anywhere else." Just as Christ preached among sinners to find souls to save. The same goes for the enemy who seeks those who are or pretend to be righteous.
It's sad that these folks who hold the position of trusted authority figures seem to lack a conscience or soul. But what is done in the dark will soon be brought to light. It is up to us all to stay vigilant even in the house of God.
Voted up, marked, useful, awesome and beautiful. I love the picture at the top it is on point.
It truly is a sad commentary for many of those in authority to behave so unrighteously. It makes me more determined to live in imitation of Him so that some soul through my life may be led to Him.
We pray for our brother and sisters who are still feeding on the milk of the Gospel that they may advance to solid foods.
Thanks, PM for sharing your observations on the state of Christian affairs. May God have mercy on our souls!
Forever His,
Good hub RevLady!
I have noticed as I have matured that my disappointment with the church's leaders has increased. It is when I pause to think about this that I remember that our model is not supposed to be another weak human but Christ himself. The greatest people of the church are all human like the rest of us and subject to the same faults. By calling ourselves "Christians" we are announcing that we are working to be like Christ.
It is disheartening to me to realize how many people in positions of power in the church misuse that power. And of course, to the skeptic, this means that all Christians are like that.
May God continue to bless you and keep you writing.
Bob
Your head seem to be so clear as your statement really sums it quite excellently.
What you stated about people in power position misusing their authority is right on. Nevertheless, I am not convinced that they are aware of it. Though I certainly see the result of power abuse, I also know that many do not see themselves as abusing power but are convicted in their method of church management.
So glad to have you take a breather and drop in on me today Mr. Your presence is always missed.
Love and hugs,
Forever His,
It was nice to come visit you today also.
Thank you!
I totally agree with you about many "power abusers" not being aware of their abuse. Like Saul of Tarsus they need some redirecting by Christ but fully believe they are doing His work in His method.
Love and hugs back at ya!
Exactly MR.
This is why I think it is important that we try to see things from the perspective of others and not just our own. Trying to understand from another's world view, engenders compassion and tempers our unkind tendency to ridicule out of ignorance.
Love and HUGS my dear brother.
Forever His
My heart is full of so much sorrow and pain from the blindness of these type of people and their abuses upon others--fakes! Ignorant to the darkness around them and to the lies of the devil. If they only knew that their behavior destroys souls and what it does to those who really want to know Jesus so badly is so destructive that it makes me weep.
I am so thankful that I know who Jesus is and Jesus knows me and he loves me so gosh darn much! He does!! And he has seen my tears of inflicted injustice and lies from hardened hearts and spiritual arrogance. God blesses me daily and he whispers loudly and tells me that he see's it ALL and knows it ALL and a day of reckoning will come for the fakers who bear FALSE fruit and mock those whose love is so genuine for the Lord. I trust Jesus completely. MY FRUIT IS FROM THE TRUE GOD AND WATCH AND SEE WHAT GOD WILL DO THROUGH ME AND MY FAITHFUL HEART AND LOVE FOR HIM! I fear no evil, nor those who follow evil, though the mocking and spitting on me is not good because you should never do that to someone who is annointed by Jesus.
Jesus hears my cries-each and every time these type of people add another nail to my Saviors body...and the Angels hear the cries of many and they come to soothe, Jesus fills the rightious with a sound mind, with strength that many only wish they could attain.
I know that God will make right all the lies of the devil. I KNOW THIS!!! He tells me to focus on only him for many are out there following darkness. My God gives me strength, love, peace, happiness, JOY and a heart full of love for my true brothers and sisters.
I am worthy of Jesus's love and I am so happy to KNOW it because Jesus tells me so, even when others spit on me and my goodness and spew devil's lies. Do you know why I am worthy? Because I love-unconditionally those who the world,the fakes, the holier than thou would never think of helping and Jesus KNOWS IT. He smiles upon me when I am loving those who others feel are 'unlovable.' I help the felons, the alcoholics, the addicts, the homeless, those in despair, those who are broken in spirit and anyone who Jesus puts in my path at any moment of any day. I NEVER LOOK AWAY--I don't dare do you know why? Because within that face could be my Lord and every brother is worthy of love...especially the broken children. The broken ones who have been broken by the FAKES that this hub talks about. I don't judge unfairly. But I do judge rightiously the fakes who wear the representation of "God's spokespeople" when they are not. Woe to them--for they are the true betrayers of our Lord Christ. Those who hide behind their 'certificates' and pretend degree's and pastorial learnings and Bible quoting and spewing.
I thank Jesus for every gift he has given me and for the spirit of truth. I praise and sing all day long because Jesus loves me! He loves you also...you are so good Pastor Saundra and Jesus KNOWS ALL AND SEES ALL...and I know you are good also. I thank God for the REAL Pastors and Ministers here on the Hubs. You are a shining light to the broken children of God and Jesus smiles favor on you in a HUGE WAY!
Jesus has taught me so much in the past year and I skip-laugh-clap-praise-sing and love Jesus because he allows me to jump over mountains! He does!
Oh, and when I was a little girl and I saw the hypocrites of my Catholic church and the hypocrites who parented us inside our home...I KNEW THEY WERE NOT OF GOD even then...I used to stick my tounge out at them.hahahaa
Guess what?
I am sticking my tounge out right now--because on every level I despise and hate evil--Just like God does. I can only imagine that he see's me still sticking my tounge out and he laughs at my defiance to the devil! hehehe
Ghost Whisper,
Thank you for uplifting my spirit. your comments reflect my own thoughts and feelings and I rejoice in your salvation and the wisdom and discernment God has so blessed you with. I thank God for you taking the time to share your testimony that has me floating on the clouds of heaven and I know will lift up all those who Know Him.
I love you and ask God's blessings on you dear sister in our Lord whose love for us is inexhaustable.
Forever His,
Your article brings the truth as to why our churches are dwindling away to nothing and loosing their effectiveness in our society. This was a very well stated article. Thank yo so much for this and may God bless you.
Thank you dear friend for your comment. It is sad but true and we regret the condition of many of our churches. Let us keep the church in our prayers and do what we can according to how God leads us to help raise the spiritual bar on churches.
Forever His
You are so right, I have been thinking along the same line lately and God led me to you and this hub. Thankyou, I feel that I can learn much from you.
God bless you Troy and may He continue to be your guide and inspiration in His service.
Love and peace,
Forever His,
RevLady I Love it when you said: "I applaud parents who are able to apologize to their children when they have been in err against them. This is one way of teaching children it is okay to be human, that we all err, and what a clear conscience feels like. I have apologized a couple of times for being in err with my daughter. It sure felt GREAT! AMEN sister!
VOTED-UP!
AMEN DrpastorC. You are so right. It teaches children that parents are not minigods. We are human and that it is okay to say those healing words to each other, "I'm sorry."
Love and hugs my precious sister in Him,
Forever His,
I agree with you that Christians are imperfect beings who recognize the immense need for Christ. It is not an easy task to share to others about one’s faith. I guess not everybody is born to become preachers. However, I believe that the best way to witness to others about God is to live by example. People will know that we are indeed His true followers if we live a life according to His words. God bless you and your family.
Absolutely true TINA. Our best witness is our life.
Love and peace,
Forever His
ISIAIh 41 BRING forth your IDOLS did they PREACH to you see they can’t speak they can’t DO ANYTHING all they do is cause confusion. spalms 115 and spalms 135 thier IDOLS are FALSE cant speak can't hear cant smell and those that make them shall become like them. Jeremiah 10 they nail their IDOL down like a scarecrow it can’t move can'...t speak can’t move must be carried these are nothing but the WORK of CON men.john 10 jesus christ sais his sheep hear his voice and another voice thy will not follow and if another person tries to preach to them they WILL FLEE from him. jeremiah 5 the priests bear rule on their own authority what will you do when your judged my word is not inside them. Now here is the kicker john 5 son of man voice goes back in time mathew 16 jesus christ claims to be the son of man.1 cor2 mind of CHRIST preached internally and john 16 sais the spirit of truth comes in the future. Ezekiel 13 lying prophets of ISRAEL my word is not inside them saying god sais god sais god sais wrote hoping mankind would CONFIRM their WORDS. all of this is EASILY verifiable.
Not sure I follow you Jeff but appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
Peace,
Forever His
Thank you, thank you!
Blessings dear friend an thank you for visiting and leaving a touch of inspiration. Love and peace in Him!
Forever His
Sandyspider Level 1 Commenter 18 months ago
Excellent choice in photos to go with this subject. Very well thought out hub for us imperfect people.