[Jesus
is Speaking:] Another parable put He forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven
is like a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his
enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the
blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So
the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, did you not sow good
seed in your field? from whence then has it tares? He said unto them, An enemy
has done this. The servants said unto him, Will you then that we go and gather
them up? But he said, Nay; lest while you gather up the tares, you root up also
the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time
of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather you together first the tares, and
bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30). [Emphasis Added]
For
if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment (2 Peter 2:4) …For the time is come that judgment
must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end
be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1
Peter 4:17);
This blog continues a series that
deals with the serious matter of overt and covert SIN in the Church, which grieves,
quenches and vexes the Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 63:10; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
SIN is alive and well in the Body of
Christ due in part to the fact that every church congregation consists of
professing Christians who:
Have little or no
reverential fear of God, which is the beginning of
knowledge and wisdom, and adds length to life (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 10:27);
Have little or no respect for God’s
Word and question its divine
inspiration, inerrancy and authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17);
Are selective about what
Scriptures to believe and obey
and what Scriptures to dismiss.
Have never actually
experienced a spiritual rebirth
and are doing what comes natural to their unregenerate spiritual nature—indulging
the appetites and desires of carnal, lustful and desperately wicked hearts (Jeremiah 17:9;
John 3:3; Titus 3:5);
Have experienced a spiritual rebirth, but stubbornly
refuse to crucify “SELF,” their pre-Salvation carnal, fleshly
nature (aka the “old man”) (1 Samuel 15:23; Romans 6:6);
Have experienced a spiritual rebirth, but are burdened with the cares of this world which have suppressed the
spiritual zeal they once knew and enjoyed when they were initially saved,
leaving them spiritually asleep and lukewarm (Mark 4:19; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Revelation
3:15-16);
Attend church for wrong
reasons, not to worship God and grow
spiritually, but because church is a social club—a place to be seen and heard,
to be entertained, to criticize, gossip and to slander (John 4:23; Romans 1:29; Proverbs 6:14,19);
Attend church under
pretense of “keeping up appearances,” when
in truth their heart is far from God (Isaiah 29:13);
Attend church for ambitious,
narcissistic and vain reasons,
seeking the admiration and applause of men (Matthew 6:5; 7:21-23; 23:5);
Attend church to have
their itchy ears tickled by a
preacher that delivers a watered-down, “feel good,” politically-correct gospel (Galatians 1:8;
2 Timothy 4:3).
Today’s blog specifically targets three
types of people that attend church who profess to be Christians. Whether they are actually saved or not is God’s
business. Mine is to WARN THE
HYPOCRITE, THE LUKEWARM AND THE RELIGIOUS THAT THEY ARE IN DANGER OF GOD’S
JUDGMENT!
Merriam-Webster’s Definition: A
hypocrite is a person who claims or pretends to have certain
beliefs about what is right but who behaves in a way that disagrees with those
beliefs.
A
hypocrite hides behind many disguises and masks because he does not want anyone
to see the REAL him. He presents
himself as honest, upright and moral to the extent that he is willing to put
others down and critique them for not possessing the same values, when he is
nowhere near what he pretends to be. In
fact, he does exactly what he reprimands others for. He is arrogant, proud, narcissistic, selfish
and self-centered. He comes across as
being superior and “holier than thou,” which is a real turn-off to people. He believes that he is smarter, more
spiritual and more discerning than others.
If a Christian truly possesses these collective virtues, he does not
have to advertise.
A
hypocrite carries his angel wings and halo everywhere he goes. If you catch him in a lie, he will always
have an imaginative story or excuse even if it does not make sense. The hypocrite is the first to point an
accusing finger and he will never accept responsibility for any mistake or
error, which is NEVER his fault. A
hypocrite stands out in a crowd because he’s the center of attention and he
never stops talking.
CHARACTERISTICS
According to Matthew Chapter 23,
Hypocrites …
Demand respect as teachers (v.2)
Demand service, but do not give it
(v.4)
Do not practice what they teach (v.3)
Exhibit outward religion and
self-righteousness and ignore inward holiness in life and conduct (vv.2,7-28)
Glory in personal attention (v.7)
Glory in physical cleanliness, but
live in moral filth (vv.25-26)
Glory in titles (v.7)
Parade their religion (v.5)
Pretend to be more righteous than
their forefathers (vv.29-33)
Profess to be the only religious
guide, but are blind to truth and practical Christianity (vv.16-22)
Propagate those parts of religion
from which they receive the most personal gain and honor (vv.16-22)
Recite long, pretentious prayers (v.14)
Reject truth and life (v.13)
Rob men of truth and life (v.13)
Root and ground new converts in
hypocrisy, but not to God (v.15)
Seek chief banquet places (v.6)
Seek chief positions in church (v.6)
Seek praise of men (v.5)
Strain at gnats and swallow
camels, stressing minor details and omitting the fundamentals of religion (vv.23-24)
Take advantage of widows (v.14)
Zealously seek to win converts to
their sect, but not to God (v.15)
And unto the angel of the church of
the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true
witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know your works, that you are
neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you
say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know
not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I
counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and
white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness
do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. As many as
I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent (Revelation 3:14-19).
THE LUKEWARM
Merriam-Webster’s Definition:
Lukewarm—slightly or
moderately warm (TEPID); not
enthusiastic: not having or showing energy or excitement; lacking conviction (HALFHEARTED).
A Lukewarm
Christian is spiritually apathetic, asleep, careless, carnal, compromising,
indifferent, lazy, listless, passive, and worldly. He is not completely a heathen or a
Christian. He is neither good nor
evil. He is neither led away by false
doctrine nor thoroughly addicted to Truth.
A Lukewarm Christian is a “Cafeteria Christian” because he is very
particular and selective about which Scriptures to obey and which to dismiss
and ignore.
A Lukewarm
Christian has an interest in the things of God, but he lacks an insatiable
desire to comply with God’s expectations.
He is unwilling to set his heart to go deeper in his relationship with
God. Salvation to him is nothing more
than fire insurance.
Pastors
are not exempt. A Lukewarm Pastor:
Cannot receive a prophetic “word
from the Lord” that is inspired by the Holy Spirit because “I hear from God myself;”
Cares more about his church than The Church;
Harbors bitterness and
unforgiveness;
Is almost exclusively dependent on
the sermons of others to preach than hearing directly from God;
Is jealous or critical of someone
else that God is blessing;
Is overly sensitive to criticism;
Prays as much, or more, publicly
than privately;
Preaches about evangelism but
doesn’t practice evangelism privately;
Preaches for the approval of
people rather than the approval of God;
Reads the Bible to prepare sermons
but not for personal devotion to God;
Tolerates and rationalizes
unconfessed sin.
THE RELIGIOUS
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked
Him, Why walk not Your disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but
eat bread with unwashen hands? … [Jesus Replied:] Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you
hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many
other such like things you do. And He said unto them, Full well you reject the
commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition (Mark 7:5,7-9).
The Religious are under the influence and power of a Religious spirit which is possibly the
most subtle agent in Satan’s army. This
spirit has the power to make a Christian believe that the “religious things” he
does is God’s Will.
The
assignment of a Religious spirit is
to OPPOSE CHANGE that
God wants to initiate and implement in The Church. A Religious
spirit RESISTS the Holy Spirit and any move of God in order
to maintain the status quo of practicing mundane routine and rituals that The
Bible calls “traditions of men.” Denominations
are founded on such traditions. Denominationalism
is NOT OF GOD because it results in the Body of Christ being DIVIDED,
not UNITED! Satan is the author of DIVISION
and STRIFE! God desires ONE CHURCH UNITED IN JESUS CHRIST! The Religious spirit operates within the
walls of denominational churches and is responsible for inspiring loyalty to that
denomination “god” and its religious concepts and practices in such a way as to
OPPOSE and possibly COUNTERFEIT the true work of
the Holy Spirit. The Religious spirit operates freely in DEAD,
COMPROMISING and POWERLESS churches that are
steeped in religiosity!
This know also, that in the last
days perilous times shall come. For men
shall … have a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn
away (2 Timothy 3:1-2,5).
A Religious spirit also wages war against
the grace of God in a Christian’s life and acceptance of Jesus’ work as true
fulfillment of God’s covenant between God and man. It is without question the STRONGEST
OPPOSING FORCE against any APOSTOLIC
CHURCH that God tries to raise up and establish.
By “apostolic
church,” I am not referring to a particular so-named denomination. I am talking about a church that is patterned
after, and functions like, the early church as depicted in the Book of Acts! …
a church that sets aside man’s agendas and traditions, to allow the Holy Spirit
to have His Way in the services! … a church that God builds and establishes
through a bonafide “called and sent” Apostle! … a FAITHFUL, POWERFUL
and SUPERNATURAL church that
is a REAL AND DANGEROUS THREAT TO SATAN AND
HIS KINGDOM because the pastor, leadership and members are serious
about the things of God and filled with and led by the Holy Spirit! … a church
whose passions and focus are discipleship, missions and evangelism … a church filled
with “true worshippers” who worship the Father “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23) … a church where the NINE SUPERNATURAL GIFTS of the Holy Spirit
are in full operation! …
Now concerning spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you ignorant. You know that you were Gentiles,
carried away unto these dumb idols, even as you were led. Wherefore I give you
to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed:
and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are
differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of
operations, but it is the same God which works all in all. But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one
is given by the Spirit THE WORD OF WISDOM;
to another THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE by
the same Spirit; To another FAITH by
the same Spirit; to another THE GIFTS OF HEALING
by the same Spirit; To another THE
WORKING OF MIRACLES; to another PROPHECY;
to another DISCERNING OF SPIRITS; to
another DIVERS KINDS OF TONGUES;
to another THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES:
But all these work that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as He will (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).
[EMPHASIS
MINE]
Without
the nine supernatural gifts in operation, The Church of Jesus Christ is
virtually BLIND, DEAD, POWERLESS,
SICKLY and SIN-LADEN! The
POWERFUL, SUPERNATURAL and VICTORIOUS CHURCH is the church that Satan HATES,
SLANDERS and OPPOSES! This is why he—not God!—is the “brainchild” of
denominationalism! Satan contrived
denominationalism to make sure The Church of Jesus Christ never poses a serious
threat to his agendas and plans or his kingdom!
Satan knows that a divided church is weak and won’t stand! With the exception of the nondenominational,
Full Gospel and Spirit-Filled churches that God has managed to establish and
raise up—that are attended by Spirit-Filled, Spirit-Led Christians that are
leading victorious lives in Christ—the Church of Jesus Christ has been infected
with the SIN OF DENOMINATIONALISM and
incapacitated by its consequences!
CHARACTERISTICS OF RELIGION
AND RELIGIOUS SPIRITS
Religious
Spirits do not
play games; they are out for blood! Religious Spirits nailed Jesus to
the cross!
A Religious Spirit has no authority in Jesus Christ.
Jesus hated religious spirits and He did things that shook the religious
kingdoms of the earth. The seven sons of
a man named Sceva, referred to as “vagabond Jews and exorcists,” were religious
and had no power over unclean spirits (Acts
19:13-16);
Religion is
anti-evangelism. In Matthew 23:15, Jesus warned the religious
sects of the church that they lose more souls than they win. Their converts become doubly as hellish as
them;
Religion is
antichrist. The Pharisees and the Sadduccees,
religious people, killed Jesus;
Religious people have no joy and,
ultimately, no power (Nehemiah 8:10);
A Religious Spirit breeds bondage and condemnation and blocks true liberty (Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:1);
Religion creates a form of godliness through
ritual and repetition (2 Timothy 3:15);
Religion corrupts and perverts. Perversion and corruption are multiplied when
men attempt to serve and worship God by their own strength, power and
guidelines. This is why true worshipers
worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23);
Religion’s root is spiritual
schizophrenia. During Jesus’ time, one
minute the people blessed the name of the Lord and cried, “Hosanna to the
Highest!” In another breath, they
yelled, “Crucify Him!”
Religion hinders positive relationships by
leaving a bad taste in the mouths of unbelievers, taking the fire out of
marriages, stopping the flow of God during worship, and making children hate
serving God;
A Religious Spirit views God as a cold, harsh, distant taskmaster rather than an approachable,
loving Father;
A Religious Spirit places emphasis on winning God’s approval through a religious
dress code, certain spiritual disciplines, particular music styles or even
doctrinal positions;
A Religious Spirit develops traditions and formulas as a poor substitute for the
presence and work of the Holy Spirit;
A Religious Spirit becomes prideful and isolated, thinking that his righteousness is
uniquely special and that he cannot associate with other believers who have
different standards. Churches and groups
that allow these attitudes become dangerously elitist;
A Religious Spirit develops a harsh, judgmental attitude toward sinners and yet
struggles with sinful habits that he cannot admit to anyone. Religious people rarely interact with
unbelievers because they don’t want their own superior morals to be tainted by
sinners;
A Religious Spirit rejects progressive revelation and refuses to embrace change. Many churches become irrelevant to society
because they are so focused on what God did 50 years ago, they become stuck in
a time warp and cannot move forward when the Holy Spirit begins to speak in new
ways. When churches and religious groups
refuse to shift and move with God, they become “old wineskins” (Matthew 9:17) and God must find more flexible
vessels that are willing to implement His changes;
A Religious Spirit persecutes anyone who disagrees with his self-righteous views and
becomes angry when the message of grace threatens to undermine his
religiosity. An angry religious person
will resort to using gossip and slander to assassinate another person’s
character and reputation.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
RELIGIOUS PERSON
One who is influenced or
controlled by a Religious Spirit:
Believes his mission is to tear
down error or what he believes is wrong;
Believes that God has appointed
him to fix everybody else;
Believes that he is truly closer
to God than others, and that his life or ministry is more pleasing to God in
comparison;
Does not listen to people because
he hears from God himself;
Does things in order to be noticed
or affirmed by people;
Glorifies in past spiritual
experiences instead of what God is doing now;
Has difficulty receiving
correction from someone he believes is less spiritual than he;
Is a perfectionist and despises
imperfection in others;
Is inflexible, unwilling to change
himself, or see positive change take place in the church (2 Corinthians 3:17);
Is intolerant of, and overreacts
to, carnality or immaturity in the Body of Christ;
Is legalistic;
Is more interested in judgment than
in forgiveness;
Is overly repulsed by displays of
emotionalism in others and yet he will use emotionalism or hype to manipulate
people;
Is quick to notice what is wrong
with people or with the Church, rather than looking for what is right;
Prays mechanically and
repetitiously;
Rates and scores his spiritual
life and carries guilt when he doesn’t add up to the Lord’s standards;
Rejects and resists supernatural,
spiritual manifestations that he doesn’t understand;
Takes pride in spiritual
discipline or spiritual maturity and ranks himself against others;
Tends to be suspicious of, and
will oppose, new moves of God;
Wants to be seen and heard in the
church;
Will have a leadership style that
is bossy, overbearing and intolerant of the weakness or failure of others;
Will not commit to a church, or even
assist, if a group is not perfect in
their theology.
CHURCHES & CHRISTIANS UNDER GOD’S JUDGMENT
Nevertheless I have somewhat
against you, because your have left your first love. Remember therefore from whence you are fallen,
and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto you quickly, and
will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent (Revelation 2:4-5).
[Jesus
is Speaking:] This people draws nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their
lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for
doctrines the commandments of men (Matthew 15:8-9)
[Emphasis Added];
[Jesus
is Speaking:] And you shall love the Lord your God with all your HEART, and with all your SOUL,
and with all your MIND, and with all your STRENGTH: this is the first
commandment. And the second is like, namely this, You shall love
your neighbor as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31) [Emphasis Added];
[Jesus
is Speaking:] This is My commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:12). [Emphasis Added].
This
Christian’s love walk is imperfect and out of balance. He has left his first love, Jesus Christ. He has lost the desire to obey God and spend
quality time with Him. God desires
intimacy with His Children. This
Christian loves himself first and everyone else selectively and conditionally. He is devoted to those who love him back, but
not to those who are difficult to love.
But I have a few things against you,
because you have there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac
to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things
sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So have you also them that hold the doctrine
of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent;
or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the
sword of My mouth (Revelation 2:14-16);
[Jesus
is Speaking:] Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven.
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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from Me, you that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23). [Emphasis Mine].
This Christian has no
fear of God or Judgment (Romans 3:18).
He neglects his Salvation (Hebrews 2:3).
He fails to daily kneel at the foot of The Cross and examine himself to
make sure he is in the faith and that there is no crooked or froward way within
him (2
Corinthians 13:5). His
garment is spotted, wrinkled and blemished because he
commits willful sin without feeling convicted or remorseful. This is because his conscience has become
seared as with a hot iron (1 Timothy 4:2).
This Christian compromises
the Word of God. He may even be sexually
immoral (1
Corinthians 5:1). In
Christian circles, he is called a “Cafeteria Christian” because he
is very particular and selective about which Scriptures to obey and which to
dismiss and ignore. He
is deceived because he isn’t a consistent doer of the Word (James 1:22). He doesn’t hate sin like God does. He tends to rate the severity of sin on a
scale of 1 to 10, instead of realizing that sin is sin to God. He sees no harm in telling a “little white
lie,” forgetting that all liars will have their part in the lake of fire (Revelation
21:8). He gauges his morality
on being good or better than sinners in the world.
Notwithstanding I have a few things
against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess,
to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things
sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and
she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit
adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I
am He which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of
you according to your works (Revelation 2:20-23);
Flee fornication. Every sin that a
man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his
own body. What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? For you are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your BODY, and in your SPIRIT, which are God's (1
Corinthians 6:18-20);
But I say, that the things
which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I
would not that you should have fellowship with devils. You cannot drink the cup
of the Lord, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table,
and of the table of devils (1 Corinthians 10:20-21);
For if we sin willfully after that
we have received the knowledge of the Truth, there remains no more sacrifice
for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries (Hebrews
10:26-27).
This Christian is a
hypocrite. Although he attends church
fairly regularly and acts pious, he lives like a devil outside of church. He is unwilling to
crucify SELF (Matthew
16:24). He is unwilling to bury
the “old man” (SIN NATURE) so the
“new man” (NEW
NATURE) can reign and rule (2 Corinthians 5:17). This Christian has to be in control of his
life. He is unwilling to surrender ALL to Christ. He is unwilling to allow the Holy Spirit to
lead him and direct and guide his affairs.
This constitutes pride and idolatry because he trusts himself more than
he trusts God.
This Christian is a
fence-sitter. He loves the world and is
a world conformer (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 John 2:15). He values the wisdom of the world. He desires to fit in both inside and outside
the church. Jesus said, “he that is not
with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30). Depending on what crowd he runs with, this
Christian conforms his behavior and conversation to fit the occasion, without
feeling convicted or remorseful, because he cares more about what people think,
than what God thinks. In this respect,
he is a men-pleaser rather than a God pleaser (Ephesians 6:6). He is easily influenced, persuaded and led by
men. He is carnally-minded (Romans 8:6) and
functions in the realm of the flesh, walking by sight and the five senses, not
by faith (2
Corinthians 5:7). He loves
his life instead of hating it (John 12:25).
He is in competition with, and tries to outdo, the Jones’ and Smiths’ by
amassing property and things (cars, houses, boats, RV’s, expensive gadgets, luxuries,
jewelry, creature comforts, etc.)
He is selfish and self-centered. His focus is inward. Instead of being concerned about winning lost
souls, everything is about “Me, My and I.”
This Christian dislikes
and avoids sermons that convict. He
doesn’t have ears to hear Truth. He
prefers sermons that tickle his itching ears; that make him feel good about
himself (2
Timothy 4:3). He is
thankless, rarely if ever thanking God for blessing him in his health, finances
and materialistically. He credits
himself for succeeding in life (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
This Christian is
anything but a cheerful giver. He will
give money to the church and to charities, but grudgingly and not
sacrificially. He does not want his
giving to infringe on his standard of living.
This Christian has no
desire to know the Will of God for his life and he does not seek to know it (Romans 12:2;
Ephesians 5:17). He will
never admit it, but he is doubtful and uncertain that he is right with
God.
Be watchful, and strengthen the
things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works
perfect [mature] before God. Remember therefore
how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come
on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. You
have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they
shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcomes, the same
shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the
book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His
angels (Revelation 3:2-5) [Emphasis
Mine];
[Jesus
is Speaking:] Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you (Mark 7:13) [Emphasis Mine];
Wherefore He says, Awake you that sleep,
and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light. See then that you
walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the
days are evil (Ephesians 5:14-16);
[The
Prophet Ezekiel is Speaking:] The hand of the LORD was upon me, and
carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the
valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round
about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they
were very dry. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I
answered, O Lord GOD, You know. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones,
and say unto them, O you dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the
Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you
shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you,
and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you
shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and
as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came
together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh
came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no
breath in them. Then said He unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of
man, and say to the wind, Thus says the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath,
and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as He
commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon
their feet, an exceeding great army (Ezekiel 37:1-10);
[Jesus
is Speaking:] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees,
hypocrites! for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but
within they are full of extortion and excess. You blind Pharisee,
cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside
of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
you are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but
are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you
also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity (Matthew 23:25-28) [Emphasis Mine].
This Christian is a
hypocrite and walks among the living, but is spiritually blind and dead. He faithfully attends church and acts pious,
“having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). He has swallowed several lies of Satan learned
through traditions of men. For example,
he believes that he received the fullness of the Holy Spirit at Salvation and
that speaking in tongues is not evidence of that infilling (Matthew 5:6; Acts 2:4; Ephesians 5:18).
This lie contradicts Truth. He believes that the nine supernatural gifts
ceased when the last Apostle died, which is not scriptural. He fears supernatural experiences and manifestations,
believing them to be “of the devil.” Attributing
the work of the Holy Spirit to the work of Satan is blaspheming the Holy Spirit,
which is the unpardonable sin (Matthew 12:31). He fears anything that he doesn’t understand
or hasn’t experienced (e.g. the Baptism of the Holy Spirit). If he visits a Spirit-filled church, he sits
in the back, criticizing and judging everything that is said and done during
the service. Again, he attributes the
charismata gifts to the work of Satan.
He attributes every manifestation of the Holy Spirit (prophecy spoken in
tongues followed by interpretation, healings and deliverances) to be works of
Satan or the flesh. This grieves,
quenches and vexes the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). If he continues to attend a Spirit-filled
church, he will do everything in his power to RESIST and QUENCH every
move of God (Acts
7:51). Due to his ignorance
of the supernatural, he doesn’t know anything about spiritual warfare or how to
use his spiritual weapons (Ephesians 6:11-18). Hosea 4:6 says that God’s people are destroyed
for lack of knowledge.
This Christian is spiritually
asleep (Revelation
3:1-6). This is why he is
drawn to dead churches where the name “Ichabod” hangs over the front door,
meaning “The Glory has departed.” In
other words, God does not attend dead churches.
Why would He? These churches are
so steeped in tradition and ritual, they don’t bother to invite or welcome the
Holy Spirit into their services because they’re only interested in
accomplishing man’s agendas. If Jesus
knocked on the door, the pastor and congregation would not recognize Him or
invite Him in. If He walked among them,
they would treat Him like a stranger because they would not recognize Him or
His voice (John
10:27).
This Christian is bound
by “traditions of men” (Matthew 15:3,6). They are inhibited by a “religious
spirit.” During praise and worship, they
don’t sing, clap or raise their hands.
You will never hear an enthusiastic “Amen!” or “Praise the Lord!” pass his
lips while a good sermon is preached. His
denomination is his god because he wouldn’t dream of attending a church of a
differing denomination. Assuming that
this Christian gets to Heaven, does he expect to see separate sections for
Baptists, Presbyterians, Catholics, Methodists, Pentecostals, Charismatics,
etc. etc.?
This Christian is
biased and prejudiced. If an unkempt,
dirty, smelly homeless street person entered the church, took a seat on the
front pew, an usher or deacon would ask him to sit in the back (James 2:1-14).
This Christian lacks
knowledge about demons and how they operate; therefore, he does not know to guard
his heart, eyes, ears, and mouth. His
ears are garbage cans, collecting gossip.
His eyes scan the congregation in righteous judgment, looking for
transgressors. His nose is stuck in the
affairs and business of others. His
mouth spews out sewage from the abundance of a self-righteous, but defiled
heart.
This Christian is fruitless,
bearing little or no fruit (John 15:5).
He is a “Career Babe in
Christ,” never growing spiritually. He has
been serving the Lord for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years and is still sucking on a
baby bottle filled with the milk of the Word (Hebrews 5:12-13). He has no desire whatsoever to mature to
perfection or to excel to his fullest potential in Christ. He has no aspirations to become a disciple
because he falsely believes that this is a “special calling” (Matthew
28:18-19 NIV). This
Christian would never pass the Fifteen Tests of Discipleship, which are:
Bearing much fruit (John 15:8)
Bearing your cross daily (Matthew 10:38; Luke 9:23; 14:27)
Bold confession of Christ (Matthew 10:32-33)
Continuing in the Word (John 8:31)
Denying oneself (Matthew 10:39; Romans 8:1-13)
Family persecution (Matthew 10:34-36; Matthew 19:29)
Fearless consecration (Matthew 10:28)
Fearless faith (Matthew 10:29-31; Hebrews 11)
Fearless preaching (Matthew 10:26-27)
Following Christ (Matthew 10:38; John 10:27)
Forsaking all (Luke 14:33)
Loving Jesus above yourself, everyone & every thing
(Luke 14:26)
Loving one another (John 13:35)
Putting God first (Matthew 10:37; Matthew 22:37)
World persecution (Matthew 10:25; John 15:18)
This Christian is Lazy,
Slothful and Neglectful! He is a
spectator in church rather than a participator. He refuses to get out of his pew or out of his
comfort zone. He lacks spiritual
enthusiasm, fervency and zeal. He neglects
the Christian disciplines of Church Attendance, Prayer, Bible Study, Praise and
Worship. In the Parable of the
Slothful Servant, Jesus described the Slothful Servant as:
Accusing and
Fault-Finding (Matthew
25:24)
Erroneous in
reasoning (Matthew
25:18,24)
Fearful (Matthew 25:25)
Self-justifying (Matthew 25:24)
Ungrateful (Matthew 25:18)
Unjust (Matthew 25:18)
Wicked (Matthew 25:26)
And
his punishment is:
Judged for
failure of trust (Matthew 25:27)
Judged out of
his own mouth (Matthew
25:26)
Rebuked (Matthew 25:26)
Stripped of his
talent (Matthew
25:28-29)
Cut off and
banished forever (Matthew 25:30)
This
Christian is non-discerning and therefore easily deceived and misled. He takes people at face value, which is a
huge mistake (1
Samuel 16:7)! He seeks the
counsel of men instead of the counsel of God.
He
is a civilian, not a soldier in God’s Army.
He is ignorant of his spiritual armor and weapons. He does not know how to wage spiritual
warfare with the enemy. He is a victim,
not a victor. He never has victory over
sin. He blames God, the devil and people
for his circumstances and misfortune.
He
is easily hurt and offended by petty offenses.
For example, someone took his parking space or his
pew seat. The pastor didn’t speak when
he passed him in the hall. Joe was asked
to teach the adult Sunday school class, but he wasn’t. Betty was asked to bring a pie to the church
dinner, but Mary was left out.
This
Christian’s political party is a god in his life. He is either a conservative or a politically
correct moderate or liberal. Before an
election, he doesn’t bother to research the candidates to find out what issues
and principles they stand for. He doesn’t
care! If he votes, he doesn’t vote his
conscience or stand on Biblical standards and principles. Many such Christians don’t exercise their
freedom and right to vote at all. God
will hold them accountable for not making their voice heard, and for every
careless and thoughtless vote they cast.
This
Christian is critical and judgmental of Christians who are radical and zealous
about their faith, calling them Jesus freaks and religious zealots.
If at all, this
Christian doesn’t share his faith with others.
He uses excuses to justify not witnessing for Christ. For example, fear of being rejected; fear of
offending people or making them feel uncomfortable. Jesus commissioned every Believer to win
souls for Christ!
This Christian serves
God and helps others, but with limitations as far as time, money and energy is
concerned. He gets by doing the bare
minimum instead of going the extra mile (Matthew 5:41). He wants to go to heaven, but without
personal sacrifice or risking ALL
for God.
Finally, this Christian
is too burdened down with the affairs and cares of life to be of service to
God, to be a soldier in God’s Army, or to look for Jesus’ Coming (Matthew 13:22;
2 Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:13).
I know your works, that you rare
neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot. So then because you are
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you
say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know
not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I
counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and
white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your
nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the
door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me (Revelation 3:15-20).
This Christian is spiritually
apathetic, careless, carnal, compromising, indifferent, lazy, listless,
passive, self-satisfied, and worldly. Nothing
about being a Christian or attending church stirs or excites him and he has
lost the joy of his Salvation. He attends
church because it’s the Christian thing to do (Isaiah 29:13).
This Christian is
spiritually bored. Church has become
nothing more than a social club where he can be entertained, where he can interact
with people, catch up on the latest news, and gossip.
This Christian is an
idolater. He doesn’t love God with his
whole SPIRIT,
SOUL,
BODY, HEART and STRENGTH. He has departed
from his first love, Jesus Christ. Although
he honors the Lord with his lips, his heart is far from Him. Other “little gods” sit on throne of his
heart—gods like his denomination, political party, job, career, hobby, pastime,
sports, T.V., movies, spouse, children, family, etc. His denomination and political party are gods
that have been passed down from generation to generation.
He is faithless, having
little or no faith (Matthew 6:30). He trusts in his riches, possessions, retirement
plan, and savings account instead of trusting God to supply all of his needs (Philippians
4:19). If something should
happen to his worldly resources, his knees would buckle and he wouldn’t be able
to withstand the evil day or stand to the end (Ephesians 6:13).
CONCLUSION
Do you (or someone you
know) attend one of the above churches?
If so, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
As
you read this blog, were you convicted of being a Hypocrite, a Lukewarm
Christian, or a Religious person? If so,
REPENT AND
GET RIGHT WITH GOD WHILE THERE IS TIME! At any given moment, Jesus could appear in
the clouds and call The Church home! WILL YOU BE READY? Will you
rise to meet Him in the air, or will you miss the Rapture and go through the
7-year Great Tribulation? When you stand
before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will He say, “Well done, thou
good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) … or “I never knew you: depart from Me,
you that work iniquity!” (Matthew 7:23).
THE CLOCK IS TICKING! … GET RIGHT OR GET LEFT!
Blessings!
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