No Christian in this country is under the threat of death or imprisonment for preaching the gospel. No one's life is in danger. No one is being beaten, flogged or hardly even threatened. No one is suffering for the sake of the name of Jesus in the same way the early disciples did. Why then is there such a passive posture and a cowardice in the church when it comes to standing for truth, righteousness and morality in our culture? Why are there so few who are rocking the boat of our sinful, wicked, immoral culture?
Jeremiah said it this way:
"If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?" (Jer. 12:5).
America is still virtually a land of peace, but Christians are slumbering and weary with the weights and cares of the world and such indifference. What would happen if overnight we were raided by radical terrorists who demanded we deny Jesus and join their religion and cause or be executed? What if there was a foreign invasion or military coup from insiders, and our government was suddenly taken over, and a new antichrist government was established—and all our freedoms were taken away? It's unlikely at this point, but what if?
C'mon folks, let's be real. Our brand of Christianity here in the West is soft, weak, anemic and nearly good for nothing.
We resemble the church of Laodicea who boasted in its supposed blessedness and wealth when Jesus called it wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.
"For you say, 'I am rich, and have stored up goods, and have need of nothing,' yet do not realize that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17).
Many Christians are terrified to stand against the sins of our culture and just tell others it is wrong. In fact, some professing Christians will actually celebrate those sins with the world. They will march in gay pride parades because they say God is love. They will rally for women's rights to abortion because after all, their bodies are their own. They will say that fornication, adultery and every form of sexual immorality are none of our business, and that we shouldn't judge and yada, yada, yada ... .
Adding to their moral cowardice and complete ignorance of biblical standards, these passive Christians will defend their personal Jesus and tell others He loves them and understands them. How despicably immoral that is in itself. How grossly deceived they are! How spineless and yellow-bellied these professing Christians have become! They've been conformed to the culture and a Jesus they've created in their own image (The Real Jesus) instead of being conformed to the biblical Christ. This makes them twice as much a child of hell as the sinners who commit such sins.
I am not saying our primary responsibility as Christians is to attack the sins of our culture, but where in our society are Christians standing against sin and immorality? The world holds up its poster child of sin, and we applaud or remain silent. Antichrist laws are legislated, but where is the outrage and the opposition? Where is the resistance and defense of the truth? Where is the stand for righteousness and morality?
I am also not saying that our refusal to denounce sin is our greatest problem, but how long will morality and truth continue to give way to an ungodly and evil agenda in our nation? Our faith is either being kicked to the curb, placed in the corners and fringes of society or just being denied by so many who remain passive and neutral. We've allowed our faith to be cut off from normal life and relegated to our church sanctuaries. In a word, we've been silenced in the public arena. We are a large consensus of Christians who are actually helping our culture build an atheistic society. And we use the secularism in our culture to be secular ourselves. They have influenced us far more than we have influenced them.
There is very little evidence of Christianity in our American culture, and it's our fault. It is time to heed the Lord's admonition to Joshua.
"Be strong and courageous" (Josh. 1:6a) ... "Be strong and very courageous" (v. 7a). This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (v. 9)"
Because of our lack of backbone and courage American Christianity is falling off the cliff. We are going the way of the dinosaur if Christians do not become stronger and more courageous in their faith and convictions. We are living in a very pagan culture right now in our nation. Things are so much worse than they seem. The vices, the bondages and vile filth are expanding at an overwhelming pace. The church is to be the conscience of the nation, but our conscience is seared right now.
Our brand of Christianity is lame. It is seen as a nice religion of nice people. A wholesome fanaticism is missing. A life and a vibrancy is lacking. We are too passive and too wimpy. If we want to change our culture, we must come out of our closet of fear and intimidation. Many need to understand that we can be loving and fearless and courageous at the same time.
Honestly, we have no need to be fearful and intimidated. As I said, no one is being threatened with their life. No one is being killed for their faith. So what are we afraid of? The rejection of men? Who cares? Is that really going to matter in the end? There are plenty of others who will applaud you and wax courageous because of your example to stand for truth, righteousness and morality, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. And God will give you wisdom and grace to love even your enemies.
Let the change begin with you. A little courage will go a long way. And if enough of us wax strong in the Lord and stand tall and courageous, we will, in time, see the change our hearts are longing for. 
Written under a strong anointing of the Spirit, this tetralogy of books addresses some of the critical issues facing Western Christianity in this hour, such as this article. It's time for some real honesty and authenticity. The Real Salvation, The Real Gospel, The Real Jesus, and The Real Spirit Of Revival.
Bert M. Farias, revivalist and founder of Holy Fire Ministries, has authored several books with an emphasis on helping to restore the true spirit of Christianity in the Church today, including his latest book, Passing on The Move of God to The Next Generation. Follow him at Bert Farias and Holy Fire Ministries on Facebook and @Bertfarias1 on Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for sharing. Blessings on your head from the Lord Jesus, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA