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7 'DEADLY SINS' OF THE CHURCH:
Introduction to series
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RELIGIOUSLYINCORRECT.org
Every Christian sins.
And for that sin we must repent, change, turn back to God, and overcome. We must grow, seek Gods strength, and nourish ourselves on the word of God.
However, few Christians today seem to desire to acknowledge a disturbing reality, and it is this:
Patterns of sin have now "slithered" into the churches of Christ, camouflaged by tradition, and ignored by complacency.
Sin, not so much on an individual level—but a corporate level.
And therefore, on an individual level as well.
Subtle sins on a corporate level
If it were a clearcut case of embezzlement of church funds, rampant disregard for the purity of God's word, or selling indulgences for forgiveness—we would
have no part of it.
But much subtler sins have permeated our ranks, and have taken up comfortable and long-term residence in far too many of our churches.
And it is the subtle nature of these erroneous behavior patterns, I believe, that has caused many of us to ignore their existence.
Indeed, the very insinuation that habitual neglect of responsibility exists on a corporate level is inconceivable to some.
It's far easier to "close our spiritual eyes and ears" and "hold down the fort for the Lord,"
to isolate oneself firmly in the center of one's comfort zone,
and to cast off the warnings of those who would ask us to peer outside—at the approaching tempest.
Deeds "incomplete in the sight of God"
The iniquities plaguing today's spiritual Israel, I believe, are on the level of Christ's ominous warning to the church at Sardis:
"...you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God."
(Revelation 3:1-2)
Please note: This church's deeds of obedience did in fact exist—but only in part.
Their sins were of the nature of omission, rather than commission.
Sardis was not gravely criticized for forsaking the assembly, perverting Christ's teachings, or practicing blatant sin—but for simply of having "incomplete" service to Christ.
This, I hope to show, is also directly related to the root cause for all error:
a lack of complete and sincere dedication to our Lord Christ.
Christ issued similar warnings to Ephesus ("You have forsaken your first love...") and Laodicea
("...you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—[so] I am about to spit you out of my mouth.").
But with modern churches of Christ, in an age when multitudinous distractions, temptations, and false doctrine exist,
I believe the concerns are deeper. Deeper, and longer entrenched; now comfortable residents in our habitual corporate and individual behavior.
This series is dedicated to revelation, and solutions, of these concerns.
Most Christians were apparently displeasing to Christ—is it worse today?
If you'll closely examine Jesus' sometimes blunt words to the 7 Revelation churches (chapters 2 & 3), I believe you will find, as did I, that
apparently most Christians occupying those churches were not pleasing Christ.
I repeat, MOST Christians were NOT PLEASING CHRIST.
Could we now be one of the "most?" And, why do we always assume "most" refers to someone else—instead of our own churches?
I believe "most" now certainly includes the modern churches of Christ, in large part.
Christian friend, if there is any glimmer of non-complacency left in your spirit, if there is any remaining desire to
truly be FULLY committed to Christ as Lord, then please take the following warning seriously:
The situation today in modern churches of Christ is far, far bleaker than when Christ addressed those Asian churches, I firmly believe.
Believe it, understand it, and change it—if it applies to your situation.
"Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria...You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on
your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves...You strum away on your harps like David...You...use the finest lotions—but
you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph."
(Amos 6:1-6)
"DEADLY SIN" #1...
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