In recent times, especially with the deadly virus that ravaged the world, all manner of ideas and doctrines have risen within the Body of Christ. A question arose during the lockdowns, can Church be done somewhere else apart from a particular structure? All manner of teachings arose, that with the rise of technology, one can do Church from and in anywhere. Even when many within the Body saw that within that question laid a trap by the enemy to make Believers contravene the injunction of the Lord that says: "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near" (Hebrews 10:25, NLT).
With this idea arose ideas that seek to expand, undermine and rewrite certain aspects of the Bible to fit the deviant minds of the advocates. Many now believe the Word of God should only encourage and motivate Christians. After all, God is Love and only desires that we should live 'good' and 'comfortable' lives! They forgot the Scripture that says: “Now that God raised his Son, he has chosen to send him first to you that he might bless you by turning each one of you from your wickedness” (Acts 3:26, TPT). Such went ahead to propose and enforce, through all manner of means, that the enemy, his agents and his lies must not be exposed. Any minister that calls out the devices of the enemy is said to be a disgruntled hater! Believers that once stood for the truth suddenly are making u-turns on their beliefs and choosing to go with the popular trends. Many do this because they are no longer convinced about the Lordship of the God of the Bible. They are now bowing to an image that has been erected to soothe their egos and mindsets!
Someone argued that God's Word and the teachings should be to encourage and motivate people. I would like to ask the person since the 'encouraging' and 'motivating' messages started pouring out, how many have been encouraged and motivated to live holy and pleasing lives to the Lord? Rather, there is a sharp increase in suicides, immorality, deviant lifestyles and the likes within the Body! Something is grossly wrong with this picture! Throughout the Scriptures, those that chose to live lives worthy of God were persecuted and ostracised. These, and with us, were encouraged to remember the God we serve: "Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you need steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised" (Hebrews 10:35, AMPC). But somehow, many in this dispensation, as we see the Return of the Lord draw closer, think that we are to live lives that will make us acceptable to the mainstream world, a life without steadfast patience and endurance!
Let me remind you if you are truly born again: "Remember what happened to you in those early days. When you first understood the message about Christ, you had many troubles. But you continued to be strong. Sometimes people insulted you. They made you ashamed in front of other people. Sometimes you chose to help other Christians who had trouble like that. Their troubles became your troubles" (Hebrews 10:32-33, EASY). At what point did the world system start to like the followers of Christ? Many have changed and are watering down the messages to be approved by those with the minds of the world. Their argument is 'they need to be like the world to win them in as Paul did!' As a result, they have become carnal and are raising carnal Christians! Christians look for Scriptures and piece them together to support their falling away from the true path. Did Paul agree and bow to their pagan worship and practices? Was that what he meant? "Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh" (Galatians 3:2, AMPC)?
Wake up, Beloved! God cannot be mocked! It doesn't matter how much we desire to water down or rewrite God's Word, you know it will NEVER change the Truth, neither will it please God: "Some people do what their weak human thoughts want them to do. They think about the things that will make them happy. But people who live with God's Spirit as their guide thinks about what will make God's Spirit happy. People who let their human thoughts rule them will die. But people who think about what God's Spirit wants will have a life with God. They will have peace inside themselves. If our weak human thoughts rule us, we become God's enemies. People like that do not want to obey God's laws. They are not even able to obey them" (Romans 8:5-7, EASY).
Finally, Beloved, wake up and set your mind, gaze, focus upon the Lord! He has promised to keep us in and through these times, as long as we are focused on Him. I can tell you one thing, the road is truly narrow, the travellers are few but the Guide is True and Sure. God bless you as you re-evaluate your walk with the Master and make it right, in Jesus Christ name!
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