We who call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ in these last days have, for all practical purposes, allowed the world to tell us what to think and say when it comes to the authority of the Scriptures, the person and work of Jesus, God's nature, and the coming judgment upon this wicked and reprobate world. The senseless attempt to try to "get along" and not "cause trouble", and the idea of "letting things be" has done nothing but accelerated our lapse into apathy when it comes to reaching the lost with the gospel. It is a fact that both so-called "Christians" and spiritually timid churches tend to embrace the call for "tolerance" and not cause "offense" or silently stand by while we let the wicked society in which we live get away with demonic rage, crude insults, arrogance, and vile
blasphemies toward the Sovereign God for fear of losing a job, friends, or a relationship. This is cowardice and shows that many "followers" of Christ are really nothing more than tares among the wheat and will be good for nothing but the furnace (Matthew 7:21-23, 13:24; Mark 8:38; 1John 2:15-17; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:11-15).
Many of us are all too willing to give in to the plurality of the day and say that Jesus is a way to heaven, but not the ONLY way as HE HIMSELF DECLARED (John 14:6) and verified by His apostles (Acts 4:12). We gladly speak about the Jesus of love and peace yet neglect to tell the lost person that when the Lord Jesus does return in all His majesty and glory to this world (Rev. 19:11-21), He will return not as the Baby in the manger with which the world is comfortable with on December 25th but as the conquering King, warrior of heaven, and the absolute Ruler of heaven and earth who WILL rid the world of evil, SLAY all who oppose Him (Luke 19:27), and will send the devil and his demonic minions to an eternal hell (Rev. 20:11-15). The Scriptures declare that He will rule the renewed world with a rod of iron. Deal with it.
Before all that occurs, those of us who were true believers in Christ were "raptured", or "caught up" to be with the LORD in the air and on to heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10). We will attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ for the service we did and did not perform (2 Corinthians 5:10). We will have to give an account of our service, with many people's "works" being burned up because they had built a spiritual foundation of wood and stubble (1 Corinthians 3:11-15) instead of upon the precious metals and stones that represent the Word and true service. There will be many believers, to their regret, never grew beyond their initial salvation, failing to mature and live godly lives. We will not be judged for our salvation. That was procured on the cross by the Lord Jesus Christ (John 19:30; Romans 5:6-11, 23). This judgment declares what rewards you will receive from Him, or what you could have had. Do not live a life for God that produces little or nothing.
I rarely hear preachers present sermons or teachings concerning the impending judgment of humanity. It may be that a lot of them would rather be seen as relevant, up-to-date, and acceptable in society. Preaching on hell and accountability is not in fashion (when has it ever been?). We live in an age where people, either sacred or secular, want to hear pleasant things that make them "feel good". After all, is not "self-esteem" more important to God than living a holy life, a desire to please Him, and bear the good fruit of a devout life? Is there even such a concept as the "fear of God" today? Apparently not, as far as I can tell. So, what is on our minds that is more important than living a life dedicated to the LORD?
We are having far too good a time watching the latest celebrity calamity, the duties of the Royal Family, the latest lame set of jokes and insults from so-called "comedians" who are about as talented as a strip of month-old bacon, or "talk" with the latest set of "friends" on your social media outlet, or whatever method the devil can use to get your eyes and attention off Jesus. I shudder for the modern church, and I confess that I have been guilty of a lot of what I have written. We all have to stop, think, and reflect on just how good the LORD has been to unworthy scoundrels such as you and I. The question we need to ask ourselves is how we can consciously disobey, ignore, or neglect the word of God or His direction, counsel, and undeserving love to chase a lot of junk, mud, and dung that does not matter in the end? I do not want anything to stand in the way of having the deep, meaningful, and loving relationship we all should have for Him. Our hearts need to break and should when we consider the time we have wasted, or words unsaid that could have made a difference. Dear Lord God, please forgive and restore us.
I expect the world to be godless and evil. That is the nature of anybody who wishes to live apart from the grace and mercy of God, choosing to be both reprobate, reprehensible (Romans 3:10-18), daring Him to do something about it. The world smugly believes that this life will go on forever with no fear or concern for consequences or be held accountable for their behaviors (Proverbs 29:1). Get off your phone or other device for a moment and look around you. Christians worldwide are being slaughtered, maligned, mocked, and subject to brutal persecution more than ever, and few even blink an eye in concern or care. The world system hates us, so explain to me why we are trying to imitate then with services and concepts that include laser and light shows, cool bands playing syrupy lyrics that sound like the Lord Jesus is an adolescent boyfriend or part of the "crew", or have so-called "preachers" who prefer to have "dialogues" instead of messages from Scripture who dress like an outdated member of a 90's "Grunge" band, with their hair in a "man bun" and sipping a latte' while on stage?
Pardon me, America, and anyone else who subscribes to this idea of "church", but the Lord Jesus Christ did not die a horrendous death on a cross for our sins, the only means by which we can escape eternal damnation, and who rose from the dead in victory just so you can sip on a mocha frappe fat-free cup of coffee while watching the "worship team" do their thing! News flash...youth are leaving the church and the faith at an unprecedented pace, and this kind of lame excuse for entertainment disguised as a service is not cutting it. Just saying. I come from a background that may just be a thing of the past. I was taught to love God, revere the Scriptures, and love Jesus for what He did for me at Calvary. Because of Him, I will not end up in the hell I so richly deserve. If there were more messages on hell in the pulpits, there would be a lot less of it in society. The trouble is that neither the church nor the world fears God anymore!
Do you realize that you cannot take your next breath without Him? Do you have any idea of how much He has blessed you by having a roof over your head, food in the refrigerator, a job, or a relief program, clothing, a mode of transportation, health, medication, clean water, plumbing, electricity, friends, and common grace such as rainfall and fresh air? Do we take the time to thank Him for the salvation we possess in Christ? Do we thank Him that we have a copy of His Word in the language we favor? Do we comprehend the decisions we make and how they do or do not please God? Do you now see what we have in Christ? (For a lot of you, the answer is NO!) Think on how precious the gift of salvation is and that every day, millions decide to ignore it, cast it aside, disbelieve it, mock it, deny it, argue against it, or desire to rid the world of it and reap the eternal horrific consequences afterwards.
Have you taken the time to thank Him today? We desperately need a spiritual renewal in the nation and in the church more than ever. We need to get on our faces before a holy God and ask Him to renew with us a love for Him, to soften our hard hearts, to repent of worldliness and sins, and for the church to once again sound the call to salvation only in Christ and the reality of an eternity either in heaven or hell. This is the message in which I fully believe and support. The world may not like it (and you might not, either), but according to the Scriptures, I am to please God and I do not need a coffee bar in my local church to accomplish it. Fear God and get right. NOW. (2 Cor. 6:2).
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