To the Godless American Church...

[AgeofKnowledge]

I did not criticize you nor do I have a problem with the content of your post. Rather, I was adding an observation to it. The OP was fine in my view directing the nominal and professing to examine themselves. That's good.

However, I have seen a trend to go beyond that in evangelicalism especially in the emergent movement and actually blame, condemn, bully, etc... genuine Christians who are neither nominal nor just professing to follow Christ for the immoral rebellious choices others exercise their will to make and that is misguided in my view.

And that is what I shared.

What abuse? It is wrong to ask others to eximanine themselves? Obviously the apostle Paul did not think so:

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" [*2nd Cor. 3:15]

 

[just-me]

Also, I learned something a few years ago after I got onboard with what God had told me to study, about gathering together/assembling ourselves but I can’t remember where I found it. Anyway, it explained that before “churches” as such, people worked all week and di their jobs, etc. and on the day of rest, gathered together and conversed with one another sharing what God had done for them throughout the previous week. That was encouragement and edification and they all helped each other that way. I think that would be amazing!

All churches today have some of these traits, and it is our responsibility to rightly divide right from wrong.
“You will know them by their fruits.”
Ephesus
They exercised patience for the Lord's sake, according to the instructions given them.
Nevertheless, they separated reality of life from the Word of God, and were known to have lost their first love, even though they hated the works that were different than what they believed.

Smyrna
They had much difficulty and lack of money as individuals, and there were some influential people among them that said they were Christians, but were not. It is doubtful that this congregation recognized those among them were consciously working for the adversary to distort the truth.

Pergamos
Again, there were some within their ranks who were consciously working for the adversary, even though they held to the true doctrine of salvation, and didn't deny the true real faith in Christ. There were some in the church who wanted to compromise with pagan doctrines that propagate debauchery, and call them Christian celebrations by falsifying their nomenclature. They are instructed by God to fight this stuff, and let it be revealed to them by God's holy word.
http://christianchat.com/bible-disc...ystematic-distortiona-negation-scripture.html

Thyatira
They have no idea about the difference between right and wrong because they are stuck and stalemated in a redundant doctrine that doesn't ascribe to Hebrews 6:1-3 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.” They are told to hold on to what they have before that's gone also.

Sardis
They were a dead church, and needed to have a real revival that wasn't programed, otherwise the little truth that they had left would also completely vanish from them. They needed to remember the instruction in God's word, and repent. The true believers in Christ were a silent minority.

Philadelphia
They kept the word of God in their hearts for the most part, but there were also those among them who professed to be Christians but were not. This church was patient, had endurance, and persevered in the true doctrine of Christ Jesus. They were exhorted to continue this practice.

Laodiceans
These people were spinning their wheels in doctrinal works of self justifying playing the part but not by faith. The law wasn't written on their hearts, even though they might have claimed it as being so. They were proud of themselves for outwardly showing how great they were. This is totally disgusting to God. They said they had alot, but in actuality they had nothing. They were the epitome of a hypocritical church. They were not definitive one way or the other.

If we fail to watch for these attributes of the 7 churches within our own church, we are falling short. Along with the heart and soul, we are to love the Lord by also kicking our minds into action for His Name's sake. The true deceivers within the ranks of the church will fight so as to hide their agenda. Mention it, and watch for those that refute. “You will know them by their fruits.”

Just begin to shine the light, and see who is wanting you to put it under the bushel. “God is not the author of confusion,” so take note to who causes it when confusion flourishes on a thread. When the truth is revealed the deceiver will fervently begin fight to keep from being revealed by this truth. Scripture will never be contradictory to itself. Search for the rights and wrongs by using the Word of God as a standard. Who starts the argument? “You will know them by their fruits.”

Matthew 5:14-17
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

 

[Mitspa]

Establishing one's own righteousness is to set up one's own standard of righteousness having rejected God's standard.

The Bible speaks of the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in those whom walk after the Spirit, ie. in other words it is the faithful whom are made the righteousness of God in Him.

How you can possible twist such a notion into meaning "establishing their own righteousness" is an incredible feat of mental gymnastics.


Paul spoke of the last day in which there would be those with a "form of godliness" in which he said...

2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2Ti 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2Ti 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


The man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works through the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ. Yet there are those with corrupt minds whom are reprobate concerning the faith who clearly reject the transformation of our character, a transformation unto the righteousness of God. There are those who will oppose such a thing and argue in favour of ongoing wickedness and a Jesus cloak which covers them in their wretched carnal state. What a tragedy.

No clearly you do not understand the gospel and are in no position to correct anyone.

 

[oldthennew]

my husband was 'molested' in church, by a teacher whom he trusted -when he was a very small child -
his sun-day-school-teacher was obviously trying to teach other things -
he was on a 'hands-on-mission' and was teaching his young sheep a different-dark-gospel.

consequently, this bred 'hatred' in my husband for many years of his life and for anything that related to
so called Christianity and a so-called, God of Love.

well, TODAY I am a first-hand-witness to just what our heavenly Father can do:
the ultimate lesson is that man can be totally corrupt, wearing the disguise of holiness in bible-stories
and holy ghosting....
and not be in any way connected to God, not one iota.
they are 'strangers to God' and if YOU have been a victim of 'false christianity', and our Father calls you,
you CAN BEAR WITNESS to the corruption and on going evil.

Reality has its price, my husband paid it.....

little children, WATCH YOUR CHILDREN.....







he roamed, he sought, he defiled, he agonized for decades before His Master called him to repentance -
so now, he definitely does NOT confuse Christianity in name with the True Living God, for they are
light years apart.

 

[just-me]

my husband was 'molested' in church, by a teacher whom he trusted -when he was a very small child -
his sun-day-school-teacher was obviously trying to teach other things -
he was on a 'hands-on-mission' and was teaching his young sheep a different-dark-gospel.

consequently, this bred 'hatred' in my husband for many years of his life and for anything that related to
so called Christianity and a so-called, God of Love.

well, TODAY I am a first-hand-witness to just what our heavenly Father can do:
the ultimate lesson is that man can be totally corrupt, wearing the disguise of holiness in bible-stories
and holy ghosting....
and not be in any way connected to God, not one iota.
they are 'strangers to God' and if YOU have been a victim of 'false christianity', and our Father calls you,
you CAN BEAR WITNESS to the corruption and on going evil.

Reality has its price, my husband paid it.....

little children, WATCH YOUR CHILDREN.....

he roamed, he sought, he defiled, he agonized for decades before His Master called him to repentance -
so now, he definitely does NOT confuse Christianity in name with the True Living God, for they are
light years apart.

What does Jesus hate?

“As for Ephraim, their glory shall fly away like a bird, from the birth, and from the womb, and from the conception. Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them! Ephraim, as I saw Tyrus, is planted in a pleasant place: but *Ephraim shall bring forth his children to the murderer. Give them, O Lord: what wilt thou give? give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts. All their wickedness is in Gilgal: for there I hated them: for the wickedness of their doings I will drive them out of mine house, I will love them no more: all their princes are revolters.” (Hosea 9:15)

The rejection of God's law led to offering up of their own children to the god Molech. It was physically then, and now it is both physically by abortion, and spiritually by teaching our children that the law of God no longer applies under the new covenant.

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:14)

So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Revelation 2:15

 

[Shoshanah]

I'm on the 'church' bowling and softball team. Doesn't that count for something?

Sorry, no.

 

[Shoshanah]

The authentic gospel is not very complicated. In fact, it can be summed up in a single word: Reconciliation. See John 3:16

It sounds so simplistic when you say the one word, "Reconcilliation" but really that's what it is. God created mankind to have companionship with Him and when Adam and Eve sinned, that bond was broken, as God knew it would be. In His magnificent wisdom, He made a way that we can choose to restore that relationship - to be reconciled to Him - by way of His Son.

 

[Galatians2-20]

Actually while he could have done it in a more loving way there is some truth in what he says. Many of you have even seen it here in the forums- the ppl who are Christian by title only who judge others who deem themselves righteous while others are unholy who think themselves the authority on scripture while actually being blind to its truth who use the bible as a weapon against others ect.

It isnt just here in the forums its everywhere, there is a reason the world sees Christianity as a joke and sees us as hypocrites as liars as judgmental bible thumpers. There is a great lack of love in the church as if many believers have forgotten what means to be a Christian. The mark of a true believer is love and this unseen mark is only visible by those who also bear this mark, you can tell the what from the tears the sheep from the wolves in sheep clothing by this mark. Jesus prophesied that in the end days love would wax cold and sadly he was right.

Blain, I get what you are saying. However, I fail to see where I was being hateful or condemning. If you and I were sitting in a room discussing this matter face to face, I would not be screaming at you with my finger pointed in your face. I would have a somber expression, tears in my eyes, and would be talking to you as if I were ministering to my own son or best friend. Could I have sugar coated it like so many preachers & pastors do today? Yes but why would I when the sugar coating often nutralizes the potency of the message?

Also, have you ever read the great evangelists of the 1700s & 1800s? Have you ever read George Whitefield, Johnathan Edwards, or Charles Spurgeon; all of whom seen great results without sugar coating anything? On the printed page their words do seem harsh and unloving. However, when you read eye witness accounts about these men preaching, they will tell you that these men did so both tearfully & compassionately.

Just because you may interpret strong language to be malicious does not mean that actually is or that the author's heart is the wrong place. It could possibly mean that YOU WANT to read something into it because it has pricked a sensitive area in your personal life. I'm not saying that is the case with you. However, it does happen often.

 

[Galatians2-20]

I did not criticize you nor do I have a problem with the content of your post. Rather, I was adding an observation to it. The OP was fine in my view directing the nominal and professing to examine themselves. That's good.

However, I have seen a trend to go beyond that in evangelicalism especially in the emergent movement and actually blame, condemn, bully, etc... genuine Christians who are neither nominal nor just professing to follow Christ for the immoral rebellious choices others exercise their will to make and that is misguided in my view.

And that is what I shared.

I see where you are coming from and I tend to agree.

 

[AgeofKnowledge]

Likewise. .

I see where you are coming from and I tend to agree.

 

[passing_through]

Part of your signature:
"Salvation occurs when the Spirit of Christ comes to make His home in us (Rom. 8:11

It is overly simplified and does not even begin to address salvation.

 

[just-me]

Part of your signature:
"Salvation occurs when the Spirit of Christ comes to make His home in us (Rom. 8:11

It is overly simplified and does not even begin to address salvation.

At least that's the first step. Hebrews 6:1-3

 

[A_Friend_In_Christ]

You must hate America with a passion? You had very kind things to say abut it. Thank you very much.

 

[A_Friend_In_Christ]

America bashing... Bring it on! We only care about what God thinks, amen. You, not so much!

 

[Galatians2-20]

You must hate America with a passion? You had very kind things to say abut it. Thank you very much.

I am an American, born & raised. I don't hate this country at all however, it's pretty obvious to see that our nation is being given over, by God, to a reprobate mind. Only God can keep this from happening. However, many Churches are too preoccupied with doing what they think God expects of them instead actually taking the time to walk hand in hand, step by step, day by day with the Lord in order to listen to and operate in the will of God. My letter as a call for the Church to humble themselves, evaluate their lives, and seek out the presence of God in order to live the Christian life as God intends.

 

[Mitspa]

I am an American, born & raised. I don't hate this country at all however, it's pretty obvious to see that our nation is being given over, by God, to a reprobate mind. Only God can keep this from happening. However, many Churches are too preoccupied by doing what they think God expects of them instead actually taking the time to walk hand in hand, step by step, day by day with the Lord in order to listen to and operate in the will of God.

Your problem is that folks don't know if you even know how to do what your telling others to do...lots of folks come on this forum and attack others...almost all of them prove themselves to be ungodly and to be ignorant of Gods true Will. So ok...you see the problems in America...most of the folks on this forum do as well.

 

[Galatians2-20]

Your problem is that folks don't know if you even know how to do what your telling others to do...lots of folks come on this forum and attack others...almost all of them prove themselves to be ungodly and to be ignorant of Gods true Will. So ok...you see the problems in America...most of the folks on this forum do as well.

Why are you making this about me, as if I am asking you to put your trust in me? All I am asking is that you turn to God and ask Him, how can I become more like you Lord so that you can work in me and through me to impact those around me. What is wrong with that? Shouldn't all Christians do that anyway?

I fail to see how this letter is about me at all other than the fact that we all should evaluate our lives, myself included. You are making a big deal over nothing.

 

[Mitspa]

Why are you making this about me, as if I am asking you to put your trust in me? All I am asking is that you turn to God and ask Him, how can I become more like you Lord so that you can work in me and through me to impact those around me. What is wrong with that? Shouldn't all Christians do that anyway?

I fail to see how this letter is about me at all other than the fact that we all should evaluate our lives, myself included. You are making a big deal over nothing.

Why are you making it about America? As if we need folks from wherever you are to come and correct us? Correct yourself and do the work where you are to correct the people where you are, if God has given you that authority? Which I doubt?

 

[passing_through]

Amen, Tennessee (Mitspa).

I am sure there is many things in the church that Jesus would say, I have many things against you and we better be working on that list, for "judgment must first begin with the house of God."

The OP is from America, we'll give him that, but is his own walk with God ready to be examined. If this a message of God may God reveal that it is. If it is not from God, It's just good for him that we not stone prophets like in the Old Testament

 

[MikkoAinasoja]

#GodlessAmericanChurch

The reason why the United States is on a downward spiral spiritually & morally is because the modern American Church, for the most part, has forgotten how to walk daily in the presence and personality of God.

Most professing Christians believe that because they have - at some point - repeated a prayer or answered an altar call, because they go to Church regularly, because they pray before meals & at bedtime, because they read their bible for a few minutes on occasion or daily, and / or because they listen to Christian radio or watch Christian television on a regular basis, that they are saved & everything is just fine. Some go so far as to believe that this particular brand of "salvation" can never be lost. The harsh reality is that, although they may be very religious, most may not be saved at all.

You see, salvation is not about what we think or what we do. Rather, salvation is a person named Jesus Christ and unless you live each day walking in intimate fellowship with Him and complete reliance in Him, you can not partake of His righteousness (salvation), His nature (sanctification), or His redemption (eternal life). [*1st Cor. 1:30]

The genuine gospel of Jesus Christ is not that He died for your sins so that you would not have to, as some believe & teach today. Rather, it is that He gave His life so that He may reside in you and you in Him. Basically, Jesus sacrificed His earthly life so that right relationship between God & man could be restored. You can not boast that Christ lives in you if you choose not to abide in Him. [*John, chapters 14 & 15]

This my friends, is why our nation is going to hell and the American Church, at this time, is powerless to stop it; American Christians are content with going through the motions, jumping through religious hoops, and doing what THEY THINK will please God. All of which is being performed through self effort, void of the presence and power of God. They do not take the time necessary to walk in and maintain an awareness of the presence of God so that they might immediately hear and respond to the will (heart) of God throughout each day, every day. Consistant abiding in Christ is an absolute necessity in order to operate in the power of God so that souls will be saved, bodies will be healed, and captives will be set free.

Is "churchianity" (various forms of religious activity that your church or denomination expects of you) your daily routine or is Christ someone you truly know and trust? Before you answer, keep in mind that to truly know Christ is to become like Him [*1st John 3:2].

My friends, for the authentic Christian, Christ is our very life! [*Col. 3:4]

Good point.

I feel that today's christianity is more "Biblical" than spiritual, I mean that people's do read the Scriptures, but they still do not know God, but because they read the scriptures, they allow they self to be pleas about them self.