Seeking The Narrow Way

2 Timothy 3:5,  "holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power, avoid such men as these."  Most professing Christians would fall into this category.   While church leadership should be far more vocal in  addressing the particular sins with regard to the many social, political, and moral perversions of our day, most would rather defer to the approval of men vs. approval of God.  Most teachers and preachers in churches across this country are peddling a false hope and speaking smooth and dainty morsels to satisfy the appetites of their self absorbed church attendees.  This would be tantamount to spiritual malpractice.  The eternal consequences of hell far outweigh any temporal dangers of this world. 

 

As stated in 1 Peter 4:17, "For it is time for judgement to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  Jesus Himself directed His fiercest and most damning comments towards the religious leaders and professing Christians of His day.  This applies even more so today as "evil men and imposters will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived"  (2 Timothy 3:13). 

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The state of the church today directly reflects the state of the union, which is dismal.  Taking the Lord's name in vain in the church today is far more blasphemous than taking the Lord's name in vain on the street.  At least those on the street do not make a hypocritical outward show of seeking the things of Christ.  Better to be given over to the devil for the destruction of one's flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5) than for God to give them over to the lusts of their hearts as they exchange the truth of God for a lie... (Romans 1:24-25). 

 

Many professing Christians are familiar with or know the ordinances of God which they mistake for salvation, which is nothing but educational regeneration, or intellectual faith, i.e. demon faith (James 2:19).  If anyone teaches or speaks a false gospel, thus betraying the Son of Man, it would have been better for that man if he had not been born.  (Mark 14:21).

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There are many people in evangelical and reformed churches today who are self deceived with regard to their spiritual condition.  These people appear to be very religious; they are church members, elders, pastors, etc..  Outward appearances are very godly, but they are not truly converted.  They have never been truly awakened to the spiritual dangers they currently face.  They have never been deeply convicted of their sins, or meditated on their past and present sins to the point of loathing and hating themselves.  They have not genuinely denied themselves and submitted to the demands of the true gospel as Christ so directly spoke in His word, at the expense of His life here on earth.  

 

Our educational system and culture would rather build your self esteem and reward mediocrity and violence vs. denying yourself in earnestly seeking the truth as shown in God's Word.  We live in a culture that says, "whatever makes you feel good go ahead and do it..."  rather than seeking and obeying the ordinances of God.   Truth in our culture today is subjective, which results in a disorderly and chaotic society.   God's Word says just the opposite, "It is only the poor in spirit who will inherit the Kingdom of God" (Matthew 5:3).   As 1 Corinthians 10:12 states,  "let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall."    In a word, HUMILITY before God and not men, is the key to shedding the heavy burden of sin we all carry on our backs in this life. 

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The gospel of salvation presented today across most of America and the world is nothing more than a selfish gospel with empty platitudes and promises which panders to the selfishness of those who want heaven and avoid hell, or want problems fixed in their lives.  God is nothing more than a genie in a bottle for most people in the church today.  All of which has nothing to do with who God is.  They present God as all loving and merciful (which He is), but fail to present the whole character of who God is, which also includes His justice, wrath, and sovereignty. 

 

Most professing Christians love God for His favors and not for who He is.  The supreme commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and might.  The sin of self seeking makes true repentance and faith impossible.  It is nothing more than plain idolatry of self.  If you love Christ from no higher motive than self, He will reject you and cast you into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.