REVERENCE NOT RELEVANCE

"Blessed--happy and to be envied--rather are they who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it!"  (Luke 11:28AMP)

Has relevance taken the place of reverence in the American church of Jesus Christ?  Have the people of Almighty God begun to worship an idol god of their own imagination?  Perversity has entered through false doctrines taught to future pastors and church leaders in "seminaries" (places meant to prepare men and women for servant/leader roles in our churches).  Perversity has entered through preachers and teachers who tickle the people's ears with messages that feed the desires of the flesh rather than self-control.  Anything that smacks of discipline and sacrifice, forgiveness and humility, obedience and righteousness, is labeled archaic and intolerant of the "plight of mankind," even rigid fanaticism.  The grace of God has been exchanged for lawlessness.  New believers are no longer taught foundational truth and doctrines of the faith but quickly sedated by feel-good worship and sermons that promote anti-nomianism and selfishness.

If the Church of Jesus Christ is to be populated with people who honor God, worshiping Him in spirit and truth, and serving only Him, then there must be an onslaught of repentance and transformation (not just reformation)!  The way "church" has been done in the U.S. must be scrutinized in light of the Holy Scriptures by each man and woman who calls themselves "Christians."  They must diligently seek to clothe themselves with a humble, submissive attitude that demonstrates their love the One True God by their obedience to His commands rather than a "show" of religious activity.  It is time to sober up and become alert in prayer and obedience to "all Christ commanded us!"  We must pray and allow the Holy Spirit of God to transform us into the Body of Christ--"a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that (we) may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called (us) out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).  Amen.

Reverence cannot be manufactured by a "relevant style" of liturgy. It comes when we humble ourselves before Him as sinners in need of a Savior, condemned transgressors in need of His mercy, dead men in need of His life.  Think about it.



Categories: forgiveness