TESTING OF THE CHURCH
09/01/13 09:53
Many teach and believe that there will be a great testing of the church; but that time is yet to come. I contest that the time is here now.
When one reads the Bible we see that our love for God shows through our works in keeping His laws (Ex 20:6, Jn 14:15, 21). We also know that the church, being the bride of Christ, will not spend more time in the things of the world than with God (1 John 2:15).
The church is under a full blown trial and testing. All around us, we have distractions unlike any generation before. The generation of the Philadelphia era was promised an escape of this testing (Rev 3:10). It was about 90 years after the end of the Philadelphia era that these distractions were first manifesting. First came movies, then television, then computers, home video, video games, sports which has exploded in popularity even beyond the time of Rome; we’ve got smart phone and tablets to carry and keep us distracted. And, there’s the “american dream” that is fed by these distractions.
There’s a true story of a pregnant woman who was crying in a school cafeteria. Another woman came to comfort her and found that the woman’s husband had been sleeping around with another teacher at the school. The husband felt there was no issue with it, it is just part of our nature to do such things.
While most people reading this would not accept that excuse, we use that same excuse to be involved with the things of this world while spending just a couple hours a week with Yeshua, our groom. We avoid the people in need, those who are hungry, those in elderly homes with no family, those in the hospital needing a comforting word, those in prison needing a father or mother they never had (Matt 25:44-46). We avoid them because it takes too much of our time, we don’t have time, we’re tired, and other excuses. We want the things of this world, the toys, the things that are not necessary, so we are willing to work and give up the Laws of God so that we can have these things. Because if they did not give up the Laws of God, employers would not hire them (Rev 13:16-17).
A test comes in many forms, and we are right in the middle of one right now. It’s not a test that asks if we are willing to make a stand for our God in a life and death situation. It’s a test that asks if we are willing to make a stand for God in the way we live; according to His Word and all those parables He told to us. How are we, as a church, faring? I’d say very poorly.
21 Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work lawlessness.
Matt 7:21-23
We need to step up to the plate. We need to stop being that poor spouse that accepts our bad behavior because “it’s in our nature”. As a good spouse, we need to desire to be with our groom and to learn about our groom; we don’t need to be sleeping with the things of the world. A relationship builds with time and over time. Start by turning the television off for an hour a day, and spend time in study with God; involve your family within the home. As you start to learn more, interest will grow and you’ll want to drop another hour from something else. You will grow closer to God and to your family.
When one reads the Bible we see that our love for God shows through our works in keeping His laws (Ex 20:6, Jn 14:15, 21). We also know that the church, being the bride of Christ, will not spend more time in the things of the world than with God (1 John 2:15).
The church is under a full blown trial and testing. All around us, we have distractions unlike any generation before. The generation of the Philadelphia era was promised an escape of this testing (Rev 3:10). It was about 90 years after the end of the Philadelphia era that these distractions were first manifesting. First came movies, then television, then computers, home video, video games, sports which has exploded in popularity even beyond the time of Rome; we’ve got smart phone and tablets to carry and keep us distracted. And, there’s the “american dream” that is fed by these distractions.
There’s a true story of a pregnant woman who was crying in a school cafeteria. Another woman came to comfort her and found that the woman’s husband had been sleeping around with another teacher at the school. The husband felt there was no issue with it, it is just part of our nature to do such things.
While most people reading this would not accept that excuse, we use that same excuse to be involved with the things of this world while spending just a couple hours a week with Yeshua, our groom. We avoid the people in need, those who are hungry, those in elderly homes with no family, those in the hospital needing a comforting word, those in prison needing a father or mother they never had (Matt 25:44-46). We avoid them because it takes too much of our time, we don’t have time, we’re tired, and other excuses. We want the things of this world, the toys, the things that are not necessary, so we are willing to work and give up the Laws of God so that we can have these things. Because if they did not give up the Laws of God, employers would not hire them (Rev 13:16-17).
A test comes in many forms, and we are right in the middle of one right now. It’s not a test that asks if we are willing to make a stand for our God in a life and death situation. It’s a test that asks if we are willing to make a stand for God in the way we live; according to His Word and all those parables He told to us. How are we, as a church, faring? I’d say very poorly.
21 Not every one that says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work lawlessness.
Matt 7:21-23
We need to step up to the plate. We need to stop being that poor spouse that accepts our bad behavior because “it’s in our nature”. As a good spouse, we need to desire to be with our groom and to learn about our groom; we don’t need to be sleeping with the things of the world. A relationship builds with time and over time. Start by turning the television off for an hour a day, and spend time in study with God; involve your family within the home. As you start to learn more, interest will grow and you’ll want to drop another hour from something else. You will grow closer to God and to your family.
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