Then said He unto the disciples, It is impossible
but that offences will come: but woe unto him
through whom they come! It were better for
him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he cast into the sea, then that he should
offend one of these little ones. Take heed to
yourselves: if thy brother trespass against
thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And if he trespass against thee seven times a day,
and seven times in a day turn again to thee,
saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Luke 17:1-4
The current state of affairs for the Christian Church having become cultural according to the culture of this world is a dire state of affairs, one that needs to be revived. Why does it need revival? Because the church as a whole is in a coma, asleep at the wheel, dead not be able to follow the commands of Jesus, His precepts, even though many good things, although philanthropy things are being done. Some Christians cry out for a theocracy, that is a government that only allows for Christianity even though it will allow other religions to reside alongside. We have examples how a theocracy works out in such lands where Islam is the ruling power, or Buddhism, or Hinduism, etc., and the example shows that those who hold this type of religious power harm the people they govern. Yes, we all would like our government to use the morality of the Bible for that morality does not harm anyone who follows that morality in making decisions, or exercising life. But we must remember that man is fallen in their nature, their very soul is fallen and make decisions based on other things than what the word of God states we should follow. It is not that all those things are bad, rather they often are just philanthropy at work, and for reasons other than doing what God desires. The world's culture that has created the political and world viewpoint that is in contradiction so often with the Word of God has become the culture for many churches who claim to be Christian. For instance, inclusiveness has become the cry among many people who desire to include just about every form of behavior, or religious belief no matter how good or bad it is, to include them so as not to exclude them and in some way show hatred and hatred was never even in the scope of Jesus Christ. Multiculturalism is also one of those forms of inclusiveness that is entered into the church and it goes further than just allowing different ethnic groups to be included in the church, it also has allowed homosexuality, same-sex marriage, abortion, and other atrocities. Jesus told us above that those who caused these things are like people who need to have a millstone around their neck and thrown into the sea: it is not to be taken literally as they do in Islam, no it's an analogy, a metaphor, to show how bad they are seen by God. The word that has been often translated offenses is a good translation but the Greek word actually means scandalous so it is just not things that are not right these are things that are disgraceful, improper, or immoral, defamatory, libelous, though these offenses are harmful to each version falls under the acts of scandalous persons and persons make up the nation there for the nation becomes in a state of affairs that are poor. This type of scandalous beliefs have entered into the church causing the current state of affairs that can be easily seen by anyone who looks that this is true.
Authentic Christianity removes stagnation from those who desire to develop a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. That strong relationship is to be seen in their temporal activity, and in their relationships with other people and provide a proper motivation for them to be able to pursue social and happy activities that may increase their effectiveness in their life and enable them to focus to the task at hand. Authentic Christianity frees a person from disappointment, and we all know the disappointment is a part of life, and this allows a person to work enthusiastically as working in service for God. This is the secret of a happy life is both useful.
Authentic Christians interact with society and in this interaction they seek to live at peace with one another, both outside of the church, and within the church. Authentic Christians seek to be at peace within the family, their spouses, their children. What a country is filled with this type of men and women who think and act in this way the nation would be changed, and if this occurs within a church the current state of affairs of the church would be changed for the better. This does not mean That within an Authentic Christian Church that homosexuality, abortion, and other immoral acts are to be included, no but if there are those who have been involved in such sins that are condemned by the Bible and repent Authentic Christians forgive them and teach them and leave them so that they too are revived to Authentic Christian Faith. There are many churches have not succumbed to the culture of this world and stand outside of the current state of affairs within Christianity, they are to be applauded for it is not easy to remain Authentic.
A person must attempt to study and prayer, to remain faithful to their church and ensuring that there are not men who scandalously are misleading people that are attempting to lead them in ways that are in contradiction to Scripture. The good news is that if you are intentionally striving to keep the church pure you have the help of the Holy Spirit as He guides you as you read His word and offer prayers of intercession. If you make the effort and God will bless you in ways that you will not understand but looking back he was even his hand was with you all the way.
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God,
and set a watch against them day and night,
because of them.
Nehemiah 4:9
Is there anyone you need to forgive?
Richard L. Crumb
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