Greetings,
"For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed." II Corinthians 12:20 - 21
Look for a moment at our present plight. Over the last 10 years, remedial judgements from God have impacted our nation, society, churches, homes and individuals deeply, as God's hand has gone out against us. During this time, the church has refused to respond rightly before the Lord. And in the midst of it, as more recently, the prayer remnant has continued and maintained its prayer life among the few. the larger part of the church are not 'houses of prayer' nor are they a people of prayer. There is more focus on prayer, but I do not believe the depth of prayer is consistent with our plight.
So it points us to all this activity of judgements and prayer for revival; of which shall our nation and the church experience: Revival or Judgement; or a mesh of the two?
Here are a couple of things to consider:
1. Revival is God's Sovereign will of when, how, where, and upon who. (Remember revival is to the church, not the lost society).
2. I have noticed reports of increase of salvations. Signs of a spiritual awakening. (Awakening is regeneration among the lost souls) Awakenings may be granted without revival to the church. If there is a revival, awakening is sure to happen.
3. Judgements are increasing at a rapid increase. The terms each week are 'historic', 'record setting'; "never before'. These judgements are from natural disasters, to deaths from drugs, suicide, homicide and diseases.
Sins of Demise (world):
Paul writes here to the church at Corinth of his knowledge of their carnality and sins mounting. This is Paul's second letter to them. And instead of them progressing in their walk with the Lord, and with holiness; it seems by his description they are going in the wrong direction. They are going towards the flesh instead of the spirit. They are not prevailing against sin and evil, but being swallowed up by it. This is not progress in Christianity but a demise.
A demise is a death, or a failure of finishing the task; a break down from completion. 'The wages of sin is death'. But when you see a society steamrolling to death, it is evident that 'God is not among us'. For God is life, but 'men loved darkness rather than light'. they choose death over life. Our nation is headed for death. Currently we are a nation of death. REcord number of suicide deaths; record number of drug overdose deaths; continued all time highs of homicides abound to eradicate our nation. We are dying so fast from these things, that our ability to repopulated and maintain a nation is now negative.
Satan is receiving the masses. the church seems oblivious to the reality of this; and heaven is stunned at the failure of man, the churches ability to herald the great news of the Gospel, regeneration in Christ Jesus. The reality of 'man' are on the broad and wide way; while 'few' are on the straight and narrow seems void to many in the church. and absent from the common man in the United States.
Spiritual demise is the death of the church and/or the Christian. somewhwere they left their first love; they forgot Who's they were; they forsook Him and His ways; they had no knowledge of Him; they failed to hear His calling for them to return; and He spewed them out. This is not the heathen, but the Lord's Own people.
Sins of Spiritual Conditions (church):
Paul set an example and taught the churches what it was to be a disciple of Christ, follower of Him. He taught them spiritual disciplines, day in and day out practices to maintain their faith and walk with the Lord. The church has highs and lows of this over the centuries. God instructs us to 'take heed'; 'to be faithful, steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding' in our faith and walk, lest Satan should get an advantage of us.
When the spiritual disciplines are neglected, forgotten and replaced with selfish ease, and worldly entertainment, one must ask, 'what the Lord will do?" "Let judgement begin at the house of God'. This is a fearful thing to consider and know. God's judgement upon His people for their failure is as severe for the church, as it was for ISrael, Judah and JErusalem in the Old Testament. 'God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow." Why would we ever anger, provoke, the Lord to respond in judgement?
The spiritual disciplines are founded upon 4 basic labors: 1. prayer; 2. study of the Word - through readings, studying, meditating, reciting; 3. evangelism - speaking of Christ and eternity to any and all; 4. church -
Until,
Dan
Started: October 12, 2019
Continued:
Finished:
No comments:
Post a Comment