The condition of the church is a subject I feel very strongly about. It’s a topic and critical issue I will continue to cover. Sadly, it’s not getting any better. What happens when the church, by and large, embraces a watered down gospel? What happens when the truth its supposed to herald from its pulpits is exchanged for worldly applause and popularity? When grace becomes cheap grace and reliance on Him is replaced with positive thinking? What is the end result when the church aims to look more like the world, so as to be attractive to the world instead of aiming to be imitators of Christ? The sad and unfortunate truth is that it produces make-believers—and a lot of them!
This is the unfortunate story of John Rainey. He is not the exception, but, is becoming the norm within Christendom. I’ve heard it said that the distance between heaven and hell is 18 inches. That my friend is the distance between the mind and the heart. Take a look at what 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says about the times we are living in:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous (times of stress) times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving (irreconcilable), slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” (NKJV)
Verse five sure does resonate and sound all too familiar right? It says “having a form of godliness but denying its power.” That means that the “make believer” will look like the real deal, say the right things, know (key word) the right things, yet be just an empty shell. Once again, this is sadly the case for way too many in the church, as well as those that are leaving her and/or have already done so. James 1:5 says:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (NKJV)
WISDOM VS. KNOWLEDGE
There’s a serious shortage of wisdom within the church—within the body of Christ. There’s a lot to be said about the wisdom we gain from being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I do think though that most of us don’t give wisdom a second thought. Most believe that because they “know” something, well, that’s enough—right? Not so fast! Let me see if I can break down the difference between “knowledge” and “wisdom”. Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing NOT to put a tomato in a fruit salad.
Too many within the church know about Jesus, about the Bible and what it says, they know that Jesus died on the cross as a means to redeem us from the curse of sin, etc. However, knowledge without proper application is just taking up space in ones mind. People within the church are getting spoon fed the wrong gospel, or, they are willfully ignoring the voice of the Spirit that is beckoning them to come to Him, to surrender to Him, to ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior.
This family is so dangerous because it deceives the person into believing they’re saved when in turn they’re more lost than ever.
John Rainey is once again not the exception, he’s becoming the norm. Deception is always lurking around every corner waiting to take you and me down. The beauty of those who are truly in Christ Jesus is that they cannot be snatched out of the Father’s hand. Look with me at Jesus’ own words and see—for those in Christ—if it doesn’t bring a sense of comfort and security. Jesus said in John 10:27-29:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” (NKJV)
Friend, are you His? Are you in His hand? If your answer is “I think so”, I want to encourage you to make sure. Call on the only name to which man can be saved and that is Jesus Christ!
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” —Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
Pray that the Lord would draw people unto Himself as only He can. Get out and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many as you can. By the looks of it, He won’t be long in coming back. Why? Well, if the current church scene is any indication of things to come, i.e. great apostasy, then we know that the church age is quickly coming to a close.
😁Have A Nice Day!👍🏻
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