Modern Christianity (Written by my Wife)

Modern Christianity (Written by my Wife)

The amount of holiness Christians with the belief that our works do indeed matter and we must pursue righteousness to obtain eternity with Jesus Christ, has seriously decreased.  When I did a search on the words, "What percentage of people have holiness beliefs?" the results were quite sad, though not unexpected. In an article by G. Shane Morris (I don't know much about him, so I am not specifically promoting him, just quoting him. You can read his article here: https://thefederalist.com/2016/10/10/survey-finds-american-christians-actually-heretics/), he said that today's Christians are basically heretics. One of the things he writes is, "Two-thirds admitted that everyone sins a little bit, but still insisted that most people are good by nature, which directly contradicts scripture (See “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”). Over half said it’s fair for God to exercise his wrath against sin, but seemed to waffle about which sins deserved wrath (not theirs!). Seventy-four percent said the “smallest sins” don’t warrant damnation, in contrast to Jesus’ brother, who when writing at the Holy Spirit’s inspiration taught that even one infraction of God’s law is enough to sink someone."

Another article I found by George Barna (again, I am not specifically promoting him, just quoting him https://www.barna.com/research/the-concept-of-holiness-baffles-most-americans/) says, "Holiness is a matter embraced by the Christian Church, but it is not one that many Americans adopt as a focal point of their faith development. This is partially because barely one-third of Americans (35%) contend that 'God expects you to become holy.' A larger share of the born again public believes God has called them to holiness (46%) but that portion remains a minority of the born again population."

According to Wikipedia (which I know is not always accurate), in the past 50 years or so, people who consider themselves a part of the holiness movement has dropped from 600 million to 12 million.

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, you patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:1-7

We have both written quite a bit on the importance of striving to live a holy life, so I will not dwell on that issue today. My goal is to focus on the perception, or I should say, misperception of the true Christian. For the sake of this article, I use the term "true" or "holiness" Christian meaning one who has Arminian beliefs rather than believing in the false doctrine of eternal security.  I am not attempting to be derogatory or sarcastic, but just based on what the Bible says. We are labeled as legalistic, judgmental, hateful, and narrow-minded. True Christians who stand up for their beliefs are no longer admired or respected, but just the opposite. Although my heart goes out to the  martyrs that are being persecuted in other countries, and I greatly admire them all, my focus is on what is happening in America.  

Sadly, one of the reasons most that call themselves Christians have watered down in their beliefs is that they fear persecution from the world and do not have the courage to stand up for Jesus.  In the ancient days of the Romans, the Christians initially rejected Paganism (false gods).  Yet after being tortured and executed for their faith, they decided to allow the Pagans into their churches, believing this would cause the persecution to stop.  They also believed they would be the stronger influence and would not let the false religions drag them down.  However, that was not the case, and the Christians compromised their beliefs and adopted the false gods and even used the images of false gods as the faces on their own saints.  This is also a topic that would make another good issue for another blog, but I will move on for now. However, if you are skeptical of this, do your own research and notice the similarities between the Pagan goddesses Diana & Isis and the Catholic Mary (just as one example). 

My point is that the ancient Christians chose to conform to the world and exchanged the truth for a lie just to be popular.  Today's Christians have done the same thing. They care more about being liked than living a life of holiness and standing up for their beliefs.  You no longer see congregations in modern churches weeping at the altar repenting of their sins because they believe there is grace for all sins.  The modern church members no longer dress as if church is a special occasion, but come in shorts (men and women), mini skirts, low cut tops, and  other provocative clothing.  Even the pastors dress in blue jeans (sometimes ripped) and T-shirts.  They all want to look like the world and in turn treat church irreverently as if going to the mall. Why not when churches now have book stores and coffee shops.  Didn't Jesus warn against turning the church into a marketplace? 

I am continually saddened by people who call themselves Christians then say homosexuality is okay, admire witchcraft, drink alcohol, dress provocatively, tell dirty jokes, etc., all to fit in with their buddies.  Wake up, if these people were really your friends, you would not need to compromise your beliefs to stay friends!  True friendship is as true Christianity, you are loved in spite of your differences. 

That brings me to the topic of true Christians being seen as hatemongers.  Just because I do not support LGBTQ, that does not mean I hate the people involved.  My heart is saddened for them and I have great compassion for their souls.  The old saying, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," applies.  Hating the sin does not mean I hate the person.  98% of our friends have different beliefs from us.  We do not stop being their friends, nor do look down on them. We love them and cherish their friendships.  Instead, we say an extra prayer every day that their eyes will be opened to the ways of holiness. With that said, it is also a shame that the more liberal Christians no longer accept the holiness Christians as if we are not all striving to serve the Lord.  But are we?  Do the modern day Christians really care about serving Christ or serving themselves? Donating time or money to a worthy cause is more than it takes to please the Lord; it takes a lifestyle of holiness and striving to put down sin.  It takes repentance and the casting away of habitual sin, not just throwing money in the offering.  

 If you want to be truthful, you can admit that true Christians are looked at with a lot less tolerance than the LGBTQ community, or any other group that goes against the principles of Jesus Christ. Shortly after we moved to Washington, there was a report on the radio about a street preacher in Seattle being beaten up when he protested gay rights.  This was not an isolated incident. It has become more and more frequent for a Christian to be harmed for speaking the truth more than ever before. Christians are not beating up nonbelievers and yet we are seen as the ones filled with hate?

Even those that call themselves Christians look down on true Christianity and say we are being legalistic and judgmental. When I looked up the definition of legalism on dictionary.com, I was shocked.  One definition was, "the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works."  What?  Even this website is against true holiness Christians! Legalism is what Jesus Christ spoke out against.  Read the gospels!  The Pharisees were so steeped in manmade laws that they were mistreating one another and not focusing on a relationship with God! True Christianity is not about manmade traditions, it is about focusing on the lessons and words of Jesus Christ and striving to live like Him and treating others with love! It is not tolerating sin, but loving the sinner by showing good works to all. 

As the world becomes more and more liberal, the holiness Christian becomes more and more hated.  And I no not use the term "hate" lightly.  The Bible says we will be hated and persecuted for our faith, and this is nothing new.  However, there was a time when non-believers were more tolerant of us.  I fear it will eventually be so bad that just saying the name of Jesus (other than as a curse word) will get one beaten up. 

We all know the day is coming when true Christians will be thrown into jail and certain types of churches will be banned.  In order to stay safe, we will have to hide our faith.  Whenever I think of such things, it both saddens and frightens me.  However, I am not here to scare you. But I do want to wake you up to what modern Christianity has become and will eventually become a huge taboo. 

I also want to encourage you not to water down your beliefs.  Read the gospels of Jesus Christ to know what is right and wrong and quit compromising to be popular!

There is so much more I can say on this subject, but I feel horribly inadequate to expound farther.  I will end by pointing you to the prophet David Wilkerson who said, "I see an hour of persecution coming such as mankind has never before witnessed. This will be a persecution of true Jesus believers that will soon arise like a many–headed monster out of the sea" He also predicted, "An antichrist spirit will enter the hearts of certain men in high places in government and in the judicial system, causing these officials to engage in legal maneuvers designed to harass independent churches, missionaries and ministers."

Homosexuality is an Abomination to God! Judgement is at the Door!

Homosexuality is an Abomination to God! Judgement is at the Door!

June as been designated as gay pride month. Thousands are marching in the streets worldwide to promote their perversion. Companies like eBay, and Amazon are promoting gay pride month through adds. American embassies worldwide asked permission to fly the gay rainbow flag under the US flag. Fortunately the President denied them their request.

 Previous generations would be shocked to see a world that has lost it's moral fabric. When God's ways are replaced by spiritual corruption you will see all types of filth and evil endorsed. In the past, this shameful lifestyle was kept in the closet, but now it's being pushed upon us from every direction. Our public schools teach that it is normal to have two daddies, or two mommies. Drag queens are holding small children in their laps while reading them stories. Transgender bathrooms are now present in some public schools. It is now illegal to refuse a man who identifies himself as transgender from using a woman's restroom or locker room. I never thought I would see this large scale manifestation of evil in America. We truly live in the United States of Sodom and Gomorrah. 

A major sign of the end of the age is the legalization of same-gender marriage. Every great empire in history that has accepted the homosexual lifestyle as being normal has fallen within a generation. Marriage is a holy union between a man and a woman that is sanctioned by God and should not be perverted. Around eight years ago, the Lord spoke to me that gay marriage was a slap to his face and that the Supreme Court would make gay marriage the law of the land, and judgment would soon come thereafter. Today, we have seen this word come to pass, former President Barrack Obama asked the Supreme Court to legalize gay marriage nationwide, and now gay marriage has become a reality. We have witnessed the federal government override the will of the people and prove that our votes are meaningless. It is unconstitutional for a federal or a state judge to override an issue that the citizens of a state have voted against; this is tyranny. The states are gradually losing their autonomy to a federal government that has no regard for the constitution or the will of the people.

The Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as the surrounding cities because of their wickedness, Genesis 19:1-29. The Bible tells us that the men of Sodom lusted after the angels of God who were sent to deliver Lot and his family out of Sodom; they demanded that the angels be brought to them so that they might have sexual relations with them. In response to their wickedness, the angels smote them with blindness, then led Lot and his family out of Sodom prior to God raining fire and brimstone upon the city. The New Testament book of Jude tells us that God destroyed these cities specifically because of the sin of homosexuality (strange flesh), to make them an example for all time.  Jude 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

 God does not consider homosexuality to be a small issue, but rather a grave sin. God’s Word teaches us that homosexuality is an abomination to God, this means that it is detestable or an insult to God. Many people today say that God made people homosexual and that God does not make mistakes. God does not make anyone homosexual, homosexuality is a perversion like pedophilia, or bestiality. This is like saying that God made people adulterers or sex addicts. We live in a fallen world where people allow themselves to be corrupted by entertaining sin. Homosexuality is a spiritual bondage from which people can be delivered. I have met people that were delivered from homosexuality and are now straight, as well as married. Christ died upon the cross to set the captive free and through sincere repentance, the bondage of homosexuality can be broken. A person can be saved, delivered, and made clean through faith, repentance, and perseverance.

Homosexuality is not a civil rights issue, as some believe. Many liken it to the racial inequality issues of the sixties, but it is an issue of sexual perversion, not race. Christians however, should show the love of Christ to homosexual people in order to win them over to the truth, which can set them free. Hate, name-calling, or violence should be condemned, as well as abhorred. Below, is a list of scriptures that address homosexuality.

Romans 1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

Lev 20:13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

Deut 22:5 “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.

1 Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,p nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Timothy 1:8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

Jude 1:7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

The Prayers of Jesus (Written by my Wife)

The Prayers of Jesus (Written by my wife)

In John 17, Jesus prays for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers. Today,  I will explore the middle prayer for the disciples (verses 6-19). 

This is such a beautiful prayer, and there is nothing I can add to it.  How can anyone add to the words of Jesus?  Well, no one can, but this is merely my commentary.  

“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me."

Notice first that Jesus acknowledges that the disciples were picked by His Father, God.  I take the phrase "out of the world" to be mean just as II Corinthians 6:17 states, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”  His disciples were to be separate from the world; to live pure and clean lives as an example to those they taught. 

Next, it states that the disciples "kept Your word."  They received the words for Jesus as Truth from God, and they believed that Jesus and God (along with the Holy Spirit) are one with God.  Their beliefs remained steadfast and their conduct honorable; a goal I pray to emulate.  

" I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are."

Here, Jesus acknowledges again that God chose the disciples for Jesus' mission and again reminds us that He and God are one.   

While Jesus is praying this heartfelt prayer, He knows He will soon be crucified.  In fact, right after this prayer, Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane.  Yet, in the midst of His fear, knowing what torture He was about to face, He takes the time to pray for His faithful followers.  He knows He is about to die when He says, "I am no longer in the world."

When Jesus asks God to "keep through Your name" the disciples, I believe He was asking God to bestow strength upon the mortal men to endure to the end.  Matthew 10:22 & 24:13, Mark 13:13 all state  that "he who endures to the end shall be saved."  In fact, when you finish reading this blog, look up the word "endure" on Bible Gateway or some other search engine and see how many scriptures remind us that we must endure, or  as Jesus also puts it, be kept in God so that we can become one with Jesus after we die.   

"While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled."

This section here is, of course, about Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus.  Yes, Judas' betrayal was predicted by David in Psalm 41:9 "Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me."

"But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth." 

These last sentences of Jesus' prayer are so rich and beautiful!  Jesus (as well as other writers of the Bible) reminds us many times over that we will be hated when we choose to follow Him.  However, Jesus did not pray that the disciples be removed to a separatist  colony to live in safe little bubbles.  No, instead He prayed for protection moreso spiritually than physically, which is why He asks His disciples be kept away from "the evil one" (Satan), so they would not fall away from their salvation.  Again, we are reminded that the disciples are to be an example of sanctification (or holy living) while they are a part of the world.  I am sure you have heard the saying, "be in the world but not a part of the world."  The diciples were called to minister and set up churches after Jesus died and rose again.  They had missions that went on after Jesus ascended back into heaven.  One cannot be called to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) if one stays hidden away from those in need of the gospel!

We should all try to imitate Jesus' disciples.  As a Christian, being a part of the world does not mean we act and dress like the world, it means we have the courage to be separate in our lifestyles and actions.  Then we can be like the disciples and, most importantly, like Jesus Christ, and "be sanctified by the Truth" and be a light unto those walking in the darkness. 

Commentary on James 5 (Part Two)

^{Commentary on James 5 (Part Two)}

^{(James 5:12)} But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

James tells us to let your "yes", be "yes," and your "no", be " no", lest you fall into judgment. God's Word teaches us that no liar shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Telling the truth is most important for us to maintain our Christian witness, as well as our spiritual health. Our word should mean everything to us.

 The Jewish people of Christ's day would swear by everything, including their head, in order to make people believe what they were telling them. Christ, as well as James, was teaching them that this was wrong, because their honesty should be evident to all.

¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

If you are suffering from an illness, I suggest you seek the Great Physician, Jesus Christ for healing. Allow the elders of your church to lay hands on you, as well as anoint, and pray over you, for your healing. Be sure these are Godly men who lay hands on you, so demonic transference does not occur. Some ministers with a counterfeit, or familiar spirit, may transfer an evil spirit upon you.

 It is the prayer of faith that will move God's hand on your behalf. Christ told some that he healed, "Be it unto you according to your faith", or, "your faith has made you well." If you doubt, your sickness will remain. James also said that you sins will be forgiven.

 Christ told a paralyzed man that he healed, to sin no more, lest something worse come upon you.  (John 5:¹⁴⁾ Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” In some cases sin will bring about a curse of sickness.

 However, we live in a fallen world and sickness may not be the result of sin. Christ was asked what sin a man committed that he was born blind. Christ told them that his blindness was not the result of sin, but that the works of God may be revealed in him (John 9:1-3).

 Walking in bitterness, or refusing to forgive others, may also prevent your healing. You must leave your gift at the altar, and make peace with your brother, before offering your gift before the Lord. This also applies to healing, you must make peace with others before being granted your healing. Divine healing occurs by the will of God, not man, so continue to seek God for his will and don't be discouraged. 

¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

If you have wronged someone, you need to confess your sin to them and seek their forgiveness, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. Forgiveness and reconciliation are crucial for both spiritual, as well as physical health.

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

It is a hard thing to confront someone about their sin, but you are doing them no favor by being silent. If you know someone bound by pornography, lust, jealousy, disruptive behaviors, or substance abuse for example, talk to them about repentance before God. If you turn the sinner from his ways, you will save his soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins.