Is the Church Part of the Problem?

Sometimes we as the church focus on the wickedness in our world and the reality is the wickedness in our world is a sign of the Lord's soon return.

However focusing on such wickedness as for example the normalisation of LGBTQ+ lifestyles (which is most definitely Satanic in it's origin and has a specific and evil agenda), perversion, depravity, fornication etc, is an easy way to divert attention from the sin in our own lives and the church.

Someone once said "as it goes in the pulpit so it goes in the world"

It is a terrible indictment of the church, that all we can do is protest now, when our rebellion, apostasy and acceptance of false doctrines and the very poor substitute of a man-controlled church system, has facilitated the rise of the evils in our society.

We sit in judgement with our "holier than thou attitudes" but are we complicit in the evil?

We have tolerated that woman Jezebel, the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitians and have allowed ourselves to be deceived into thinking that because we are rich and increased with goods that we have "need of nothing", living as if we are alright and our lives are pleasing to God. Revelation 2&3.

We are a deceived people on so many levels. We love the world, we don't live separated lives and we think going to a building on a Sunday is the height of our commitment. I include myself in this.

We pontificate and lord it over those who are held captive by Satan, forgetting that we ourselves were once in the same prison house of sin and bondage and that we are but sinners saved by grace.

It's the easiest thing in the world to shake our heads in condemnation like the Pharisee who looked down his nose at the publican and thanked God he wasn't like this "dirty sinner". The reality is that all his fasting and religious activity and self righteousness did not impress God. No, it was the humility of the publican who beat his breast and said "Have mercy on me a sinner" that got God's attention. Luke 18v9-14

Jesus did not rebuke the world for it's wickedness (there is a day coming when He will judge and condemn it of course when He pours out His wrath during the period called the Day of the Lord) but He did upbraid the churches in Asia Minor Revelation 2&3.

I've been on the road for 30 years and even in that time I've seen a turning away from humility and a deep need for the Spirit of God and a love for Christ and for one another in us His people. Now we see control, competition and compromise in the house of God, with man ways having replaced the need for the Holy Spirit to come into our midst and take control of us individually and corporately.

Jesus reproved the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2v1-7

1¶Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

6But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7¶He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

A model church you would say especially by our modern day standards - faithful, plenty of effort and activity.

The Greek word for labour is kopos

Strong's g2873

It means laborious toil involving weariness and fatigue.

So a people who endured, persevered and toiled to the point of fatigue but yet Jesus reproved them for leaving their first love.

He was saying, I want you to return to an intimate love relationship with me and then your works will be birthed out of that relationship. You will be motivated by a passion and love for me that you have left.

Is that not the church in this day. No shortage of activity, programmes, some even speak out against evil but where is the first love. A love for Christ which results in a love for each other and the lost. An all consuming love whereby Jesus is our first thought in the morning and before we go to sleep. Surrender and separation is a joy and not a burden because we are so caught up with the Redeemer and Lover of our souls.

We are not called to condemn the sinner (the sin yes) we are called to love the sinner and first and foremost submit our lives to Christ so that He might make us lights in the midst of the wickedness and evil of our day.

Burning and shining lights that will hold forth the Word of Life to souls who are captivated and imprisoned without hope, as we once were.

If the modern church were in the place of Christ when the woman caught in adultery was brought by the religious leaders in many cases we would join them throwing the stones.

The irony of that story is that Jesus exposed the depravity, hypocrisy and evil of the religious leader's hearts.

Are we any better?

We put on our Sunday finest and go to "church" but are we carrying bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness in our hearts against brothers and sisters, family members etc? Are we living for ourselves? Can Christ use us or are we so entrenched in religiousity that he can't even speak to our hearts and open our dull ears.

Do we think we are alright but have little or no compassion for the lost?

Are we waiting to be whisked to heaven and live in the sweet bye and bye on that beautiful shore, when all the time the world and those who are in it goes to hell?

Questions that can only be answered as we humble ourselves before God.

God desires truth in the inward parts. Psalm 51v6

You and I need to he honest with ourselves and before God, that is the starting point.

James 4v10

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up"

Are we humble enough to admit when we are wrong in spite of loss of face or reputation. Are we more interested in our position and reputation than doing what is right before God. Remember that was King Saul's problem pride and not losing face in front of the people. He was more concerned about in that, than repenting and getting right with God. Our pulpits are full of self appointed and unanointed leaders who place more value on their position and reputation than in glorifying Christ and doing what is right and pleasing in His sight.

No humility but the day is coming when there be a great humbling in the land and all that is currently esteemed as precious in terms of the church system will be as the dust that is blown away in the storm and will fall and be exposed for what it is. Superficial and build on a false and utterly worthless foundation.