New Life in Christ

Dear Peter (fictitious name);

            It has now been some 5 months since “fellowship” has been broken between us, although in obedience to the scriptures, and particularly II Thessalonians 3:14 & 15. I do miss our friendship at times, and by God’s grace count you as a brother to admonish, and not an enemy. My hope in writing this is that you will be further admonished, and come finally to a real saving Christian faith, as shown in God’s Word.

            God has been pleased to bring me understanding into the fallen nature of the visible, professing church of Christ. My wife and I have been very much a part of this deception throughout most of our lives. Frankly, I am often overwhelmed that God would reveal such truth to me, and use me to expose it. I am a terrible servant, in my own eyes. Still, without this revelation we would be lost. I can only account that God’s use of me is in keeping with His choice of “base things” (I Corinthians 1:28) to glorify His name. Please read through this carefully, and prayerfully: it is meant for the spiritual well-being of you and your family, that you may stand as you ought to before Christ.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 3:11

            Most of those who profess to be Christian today have never been saved by Biblical standards. Of those who really do come to Christ, they submit themselves to churches, and so are gradually turned back into what is a works-based salvation: the error exposed in Galatians. It is another gospel, and is accursed. This is a grand deception from Satan! On the one hand, the church mentally and verbally acknowledges that we are saved by grace alone. Yet on the other hand, they preach and practice a gospel of works. The preaching of the cross has become foolish, even to professed Christians (the cross represents our sin).

            During the days of Jesus’ flesh, He taught us plainly what it meant to receive Him. Such a life, given to Christ, will be entirely reborn, and transformed. Today, the church’s message to the world is that God loves and accepts them as they already are. There really is a cost to be paid in coming to Jesus Christ (II Samuel 24:24; Luke 14:26-28).

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Mark 12:30

            The sin of the visible church today begins with the sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), who made a pretense of giving their all to Christ, but withheld. Today’s “Christians” are just the same, and never really surrender to the Lord in the way He requires it. Let us start anew in our walk with Christ, founding our spiritual houses upon the rock of God’s Word (Matthew 7:24,25)…

            In seeking to be justified before God, we must accept ourselves in the way He sees us:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-18

            God’s love is not as our love. God’s love is balanced with favor to His infinite holiness and perfection. There are no warm, fuzzy, feelings of affection by God toward mankind prior to one’s repentance for their sins (Judges 10:13-16). God’s real love toward sinful mankind is expressed first and foremost in the cross of Jesus Christ.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:9,10

            Jesus said that there is none good but God, and that only through Him is salvation even possible (see Matthew 19). We must see ourselves as God sees us! We must stop preaching church attendance, with worldly wisdom and friendship, and preach only the cross of Christ (I Corinthians 2:2,5; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 1:19,20).

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17

            Jesus emphasized the need to be totally “sold out” to Him—born again in the inner man (John 3:3). In making all welcome, the church has promoted the idea that there is some good in man. Think about it, Peter; have you ever said or thought that in coming to Christ, the sinner yet has some good talents/abilities that God appreciates, and can use? I have! Supposed new converts then begin their “new” walk with Christ, thinking only minor changes will occur. They continue to reap many benefits of worldly friendship, along with the good religious works they had done before, thinking that these please God (Galatians 4:9-11).

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:24,25

            Here begins the lot of a real disciple of Christ: the denial of self, and daily crucifying fleshly desires. It means to lose our lives here on earth. The real Gospel is about eternal life, not temporal (II Corinthians 4:18). Let’s return to preaching the truth of God’s Word.

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3,4

            To be converted, of course, implies repentance for sins (Matthew 4:17; Acts 2:38), but then we must become as children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Children must be taught everything, and know nothing by themselves. Truly, real Christians must become as newborn children before God. Today’s evangelism teaches that there is already good in people, and in the world around us; we need only have the obstacle of sin removed to get to it. This is the same as new age teaching.

And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better. Luke 5:36-39

            This parable applies well regarding salvation. Only too many are seeking to mend the “tear” in their soul by applying Jesus as a new “patch”; all the while they do so, still retaining that comfortable old garment. Jesus has said that this tear is then made worse (Mark 2:21). Why is it worse? Before the mending attempt, at least the individual recognized the problem. Now, however, they feel justified in God, and will repent no more—they see no need of it. See II Timothy 3:5 for this state.

            We also cannot put the “new wine” of the Holy Spirit into the “old bottle” of our lives. Only believers that obey God can receive His Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32). We, in the flesh, naturally like the “old wine” of our lives more than the new! We need to see that the old man of sin dwells in us, and that man must die daily (Luke 9:23). Why are we so proud, so determined to maintain the elements of our sinful lifestyles?

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Philippians 3:7,8

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hebrews 13:12-14

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And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Luke 20:17,18 

            Jesus is that chief corner stone, upon whom we “fall” for salvation: the foundation of our spiritual “house.” To fall upon Him means we will be broken. We have nothing to bring to Christ, but are dependant on Him for everything (John 15:5).

            How could the visible church ever get to this point, where it so eagerly seeks and accepts the world’s friendship? If any organized church claims to be Christian, those “All Welcome” signs have to be discarded. The main contact between Christians and the unsaved should be evangelism. Incidental relationships, such as with our neighbors, or in the work place will often occur, but this in no way implies a real “friendship.” Today’s “Christians” often pride themselves for their acceptance by/for all. What does scripture state to be a Christian’s reality?

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1,2

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:34-36

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, II Corinthians 6:14-17

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4

            Please read also Matthew 10:24,25,34-36; Luke 6:22,26, 14:26,33; John 15:19; I Corinthians 5, 15:33; II Timothy 3:12, and I John 2:15,16.

            So we can see that most professed believers haven’t really come to Jesus on His terms. But what about those who start out correctly? They commit themselves to church, and are seduced back into a fallen state through false teachers. II Peter 2 prophecies of false teachers coming amongst Christian brethren, who will bring in damnable heresies. It says that many will follow them. See now verses 18-20;

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. II Peter 2:18-20

            These false teachers are basically teaching believers that it is alright to yield to fleshly appetites (sports, movies, holidays, parties), saying that they are “free in Christ” to do so (Romans 13:14)! Through this they fall away, back into sin; all the while believing that they are still really saved. This makes their latter state worse than the first, because they now do not even know that they have lost Christ. They have been told that they are “good”, and still do many good works that Christians do, and are deeply satisfied with themselves. This is the condition that today’s visible church has come into.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

            Read this again carefully, Peter. Jesus said that MANY would come before Him in this condition. These were not marginal believers, but in appearance were exceptionally committed to Christ! Yet Jesus said that they never knew Him. They died in full spiritual deceit.

            The Bible gives us good descriptive of mankind’s spiritual state in the last days. We know that there is a great falling away, followed up by strong delusion (II Thessalonians 2:3-12). We know that the number of Christians left at the end will be so small, that if Jesus wouldn’t return, no remnant would be left on earth (Matthew 24:22). I Timothy 4:1,2, tells us men will depart from the faith, speaking lies, with seared consciences. II Timothy 3:1-8 describes the last days’ “faith”, telling us that evil men and seducers shall keep getting worse, deceiving and being deceived (verse 13). By rejection of God’s Word as authority, men will turn away from the truth, and look to fables (II Timothy 4:3,4). This is the amazing time that we live in: religion is everywhere, but real Christianity is not known.

            God reaches out to us as sinners because He has to—that is our condition without Christ. Many, however, upon receiving salvation, then tend to justify the medium though which God worked to reach them: it’s as if they were doing something good. God’s infinite ability should never be mistaken for approval of worldly, fleshly ways. God calls us out, to be separated from corruption.

            Another trap happens within family, and raising children. Christian parents often train up the children into “good” behavior, church attendance, and the like. But are we teaching them about their fallen, sinful nature? Usually we don’t, or not nearly enough. They grow up and believe themselves to be Christian due to their outward behavior, and superficial knowledge of the truth.

            That “All Welcome” sign really signifies the apostate nature of the supposed Christian church. God never wanted such an entity. The Lord commissioned His people to go into the world, to preach the gospel of repentance, making new converts, and then to observe all of God’s commands (see Matthew, Mark, and Luke, their last chapters and verses). Beyond this, Christians are not to fellowship with unbelievers. How can we put away the wicked from amongst us, when we are inviting untold evil to come and be with us? Can we avoid being unequally yoked together with unbelief, when we proclaim that anyone is welcome in our church (see I Corinthians 5, II Corinthians 6:14)? I know that at this late hour in history we cannot do away with the man-made entity of church; but we can, with repentance, turn and seek God with His Word as our authority: holding up all things to the light of scripture (John 3:21). We are almost out of time, completely.

            You personally are at a great disadvantage, with the knowledge that you have; it has been filtered through the man-made business entity of church. You have a great need for self crucifixion, to “prove all things, and hold fast to the good” (I Thessalonians 5:21). You must choose Christ above all others (Matthew 10:34-39, Luke 14:26), for there is truly a great individual cost for any genuine Christian (II Timothy 3:12). Yet is it not incredibly small, after what our Savior has done for us? True love for Christ will be shown by keeping His words (John 14:23, 15:14), and His commandments will not be grievous to us (I John 5:3).

            Hopefully now you will begin to see how worldly pollutions have taken over our visible church. It is shown in the “All Welcome” signs; it is shown when we invite the unsaved to church, and not to Christ directly; it is shown when we teach friendship, love, and acceptance toward the unsaved, rather than sharing the true gospel with them. Our Christianity today (U.S.A.) has become a comfortable religion which has found the acceptance of the multitudes. This has come due to the abandonment of the preaching of the cross; the confronting of mankind’s sinfulness.

            In all these evils, I have been a chief offender. Indeed, I am most unworthy to have had such truth mercifully revealed in my life: my sins are ever before me. How well it is that God has shown us “the righteous scarcely be saved” (I Peter 4:18), and that it is only of His choice to show mercy, not of our own efforts (Romans 9:15,16).

            Ask the Lord to show His mercy and truth in your life. Do not assume that you are in right relationship with God, but humble yourself under His hand (James 4:8-10). Remember that no one ever sets out to be a hypocrite! It is only by God’s grace that we will discover our hypocrisy. Remember Matthew 7:21-23.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:15-19

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                                    Andrew Schwankl

  You may contact via U.S. Mail: Andrew Schwankl 913 Ivy Lane Ephrata, PA 17522   

An Urgent Warning to the Last Days’ Church

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. II Timothy 4:2-4

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? Jeremiah 5:30,31

            What if every bit of Christian faith that you have been living is a lie? What if the churches are not really Christian at all? The Bible is our handbook, our authority. It warns us of rampant deception in the last days, our adversary the devil, and our deceitful hearts (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18). This message is to warn you, that you may turn to Jesus Christ in truth, and be saved. Read this as if eternity depended on it.

            It has been nearly 30 years now, since the Lord mercifully spared me from death, and certain damnation. I was 23 years of age. As a teen, I was once on fire for Christ, but fell headlong into the allures of the world, backsliding. I was a Religion major in a church-based college when my return to sinfulness exploded.

            Since that point of grace in my life, it has been a long journey. God has finally, ultimately redeemed me, and none too soon! Time is almost up for the world as we know it, and our chance for making the right choice. How can the churches be filled, but souls are empty? Can so many well-meaning, clean-living people be in error?

            Frankly, the Bible says that such a deceived state will exist at the time of the end. My wife and I were very much a part of this great error, false Christian faith. It is only by the miracle of God (Matthew 19:25,26), and of His mercy alone (Romans 9:16), that we were enabled to see this deception and be freed. You also need this miracle in your life!

            The Lord has granted a far greater understanding into this subject for me during the past year. Wisdom and insight has been given, and truths affirmed. It is time to share this message, while there is still time to repent. We will let God’s preserved Word, the King James Bible, present the real nature of Christianity.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:14-20

            This is our “church,” the time we live in. We are not separate from the world around us, but we are just like the world, without distinction. We are not a church in Laodicea, but are a church of Laodiceans. Nothing good is said of this group! This church sickens Jesus to the point of vomiting. This church thinks that they are saved, but are not, thus the reference to “blind and naked” (see John 9:41). They are rich, and filled with “good works” of their own: they neither follow God, or depend on Him for provision. They walk by sight, and are without faith.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

            These spoken of here did not come before God, hoping to deceive Him; they were deceived into believing that all was well! Please note that MANY will be in this state, and that these were “exceptional” individuals, who did many great works. The way to avoid all this? We anchor down into the rock of God’s Word, as is revealed in the next two verses (see Matthew 7:24,25). Man needs to live by every word of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4)

            To be saved, we must accept the truth of God’s Word. It shows us who we are before God, and how we must receive Him. God does not accept sinners (Psalm 5:5). What God will accept is the repentance of the sinner (I John 1:9). The following is man’s spiritual state before the Lord;

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Romans 3:10-18

            This is where the church has strayed, and actually reverses the truth, preaching God’s love, acceptance, and friendship to the unsaved. Jesus says that His friends are those that obey Him, and these are the ones He died for (John 15:13,14).

            God’s love or friendship with us is not like that between humans. God exemplifies His love to us through the cross of Jesus, He bearing the just punishment for our sin.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. I John 4:9,10

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 1:18

            The preaching of the cross is about our sinfulness, and the absolute need for the blood redemption through Jesus Christ. Any kind of real emphasis on such preaching has now become foolish, in “Christian” circles as much as anywhere.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

            So there we were; ungodly, unrighteous sinners, and God sent His Son to die for us.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:5,6

            God acted to save us, and only He could. The Lord also often makes good out of bad (Romans 8:28), but His outreach to us doesn’t justify our position at the time of His outreach.

            In short, It is this; the church, in its outreach to the world, promotes the idea to the unsaved that they are good. We wind up showing the unsaved that even though they are technically sinners, that there is still good in them, and that they do some good things. Therefore, grace is turned into a works salvation, because we think that we have done good before becoming saved. God loves us because we meant well, and have good within: only superficial changes, then, need to be made.

            The great majority today come to Christ with such understanding and therefore are never really saved. But what of the few that do become saved with the initial right understanding? They are ultimately led back into sin by the religious Laodiceans;

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them…And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…II Peter 2:1,3a,18-20

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. II Peter 2:18-20

            Why is the latter end worse? Because now they do justify their behavior as being right with God! This is the lukewarm state that Jesus hates. Such evils have been before, and this one is again established in our day.

Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? Malachi 2:17

            Jesus said that we must become as little children to be received in His kingdom (Matthew 18:3, Mark 10:15). What does this mean? It means that we are starting over! Children must learn everything from their parents, and we must be taught from God in like fashion. We cannot come to God, thinking we have “good” talents or abilities to offer Him—we are hopelessly corrupt in our sinful flesh. Consider also the following;

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:24,25

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Philippians 3:7

            Jesus expounds further on the radical change which will take place in the real Christian life;

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. Luke 20:17,18

            We know that Jesus is that chief cornerstone: when we “fall” upon Him for salvation, we will be broken. Those rejecting Him are ground into powder.

            The Lord Jesus wants to put the “new wine” of His Spirit within us, but cannot do so as long as we insist on our “old bottles.” We like the old wine (the way we’ve always been) better! Indeed, many try to mend the rip in their spiritual garment, by sewing new cloth to the old. Jesus said that this tear then becomes worse. Why? Because we have been deceived into thinking that things are right between us and God, when they aren’t: this is far worse than if we had never been saved (II Peter 2:20). See Luke 5:36-39 for this parable.

            What the visible church has done, is it has found its place in the world, making “friends” with the ungodly (II Chronicles 19:2). The real church has no place in the world (Hebrews 11:13-16), and is spiritual, not material (John 4:23,24). Friendship with the world is abominable to God. Even Biblical instruction to love our enemies, or our neighbors as ourselves, in no way indicates the making of “friendship” with the unsaved. Making friendships with the world is, in a nutshell, the main underlying source of corruption in the professing church. Once, even twenty years ago, I heard a pastor instruct Christians not to witness, until they had “made friends” with the people, first. Where do you find that in the Bible? When we emphasize friendship, or the promoting of church, we preach ourselves, not Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:5). Making friends with the world hurts the real believer by (1) Constant exposure will corrupt us morally, and (2) It gives the impression of an acceptance of the rebellious, unsaved lifestyle.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. I John 2:15,16

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:11

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? II Corinthians 6:14-18

            It is needful to include examples, for understanding. The Lord has reminded me of a great example of the confused, polluted, Laodicean era church of our day. It is a nearby “Christian” cinema, called Sight and Sound Theatres. These are serious, quality productions put on there, allegedly to entertain and edify. As far as I know, all shows expound on Bible scenarios. Most professing believers think it is a great thing, but these have not the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).

(1) No additions to God’s Word. Any movie or play done to tell a Bible story adds to God’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19). Actors and directors, as well as script writers, add their own audio/visual interpretation of the Holy Word of God. The Holy Spirit is to be our interpreter!

(2) No Biblical ground for Christian entertainment. Believers carry these evil practices with them, supposedly, into their new lives for Christ. Instead of opposing such worldliness, churches routinely only incorporate these evils into their “outreach.” The “church” is emulating the world!

            Entertainment is a great squandering of time and money, and shows that we are not God’s stewards (Ephesians 5:15-17; Luke 16:11). If Jesus is really our Lord, it will show in everything.

(3) No substitution for Bible outreach. Typical reasoning to justify “good” movies/plays, is that it is a way to reach “our” generation. In other words, we regard the Bible as insufficient in promoting salvation: we have contrived another way of outreach, one that conflicts with scripture, but believe it to be better. The Lord’s testimony in Luke 16:31 well addresses this phenomenon:

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Luke 16:31

(4) No “new life” for the convert. If one seemingly comes to know Christ through this, they will forever cling to these worldly, unbiblical practices in his/her Christian life. Remember, just because God reaches to us while we are sinners, this does not imply justification for the medium through which He reached us. It is, rather, a testimony of God’s faithfulness, and His greatness, in still being able to bring good from bad (Romans 8:28).

(5) The love of money and lies. In the end, this is about the love of money (I Timothy 6:10,11), and has exploited a worldly avenue that addresses no real need of mankind (I Timothy 6:8). It is a medium that is well accepted by the unsaved world, and gains them esteem in men’s eyes (Luke 16:15). They also get rich: believe me, it costs plenty to get in.

            Then again, they also espouse lies while making their way in the world. This is a huge problem, for every actor has to lie in the performance of taking on another’s persona. God will not allow liars in heaven, and because of such will come strong delusion and judgment (II Thessalonians 2:10-12).

            Years ago, I worked at a local department store with the 23 year old son of a minister. Once in conversation, I exposed the shortfalls of Sight and Sound Theatres to him. He responded by defending them, and said he was “so touched” by the Easter depiction of Jesus. Yet just 2 days later, I heard him excitedly talking with another co-worker about the near release of Hell Raiser III on DVD: he was very glad for it, and wanted to purchase it. Don’t be fooled by appearance! Judge righteous judgment (John 7:24), and seek not to receive honor from men (John 5:41), following the steps of Jesus Christ.

            This, then, is Christianity: mankind is spiritually evil, and rightly slated for eternal damnation first in Hell, then the lake of fire (Galatians 3:22; Revelation 20:15). God then shows His real love for us by the perfect offering of His Son Jesus Christ, the only possible atonement for our sin (John 14:6). Salvation is all about eternal life for the soul and spirit of man, not the very temporary life of the flesh (II Corinthians 4:18). What does the Bible say about the Christian life? Will you embrace it?

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Matthew 10:24,25

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:34-36

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:26…33

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: I Peter 4:1-4

            Have you really been saved through Jesus Christ? Are God’s values your own, and do you seek them? Bring every area of your life into submission to God. Hold up your actions in the light of Biblical truth (John 3:21). Do all men speak well of you (Luke 6:26), or do you suffer persecution (II Timothy 3:12), and tribulation (Acts 14:22)?

            Again, the message being given today is one of God’s acceptance for all people. It is therefore regarded that there is good in all, and salvation becomes a mending of new cloth onto the old, which makes things worse. This is that “form of godliness, which denies the power”, spoken of in II Timothy 3:5. In reality, it becomes a disguised works salvation, such as is spoken of in the book of Galatians. Even if it begins correctly, it falls away (II Thessalonians 2:3, I Timothy 4:1). Many are the examples of this—I know, because my own life was corrupt in this same fashion.

            When a person receives Christ today, typically, they then continue on with most of the same practices that they have always done. They perceive it to be acceptable, because their hearts are now “pure.” Biblically, Christians have no holidays (Acts 15:20; Galatians 4:9-11), but they continue on with pagan religious celebrations such as Christmas and Easter. They believe these observances now, for themselves, are pure, and honoring to God. Yes, they also celebrated these while unsaved! This gives them the impression that there was always something good in them; something that did good things, and honored God. We therefore see how the churches have retained religious rites from pagan tradition, thinking that such “works” pleased God.

            The visible church of today loves celebrities! Oh, how well they ignore Biblical admonition regarding respect of persons (James 2:9). When a celebrity claims to be, or to have become a born-again Christian, churches love to ride along on their bandwagon of fleshly fame. If such a one is really turned to the Lord, they are then encouraged to continue on in their career, because it is thought to bring attention to the cause of Christ. I do not make of habit of following such individuals, but even so, I am aware of very many that have fallen back into that sinful life which fame and fortune brings. There is good reason for this bad turnabout!

            Over and over again, God’s Word (KJV only) tells us to be holy. We are not to even touch the “unclean thing”, for then the whole becomes unclean (Haggai 2:13,14; II Corinthians 6:14-17). Churches today generally teach that Christians can “touch” almost anything, and they can make it holy! With this, as with many things, the visible church, by practice, actually opposes God’s Word.

            Yes, today’s Christians readily partake in lavish vacations, rock music, sports obsession, movies, television, and the like. How awful! We are just like the unsaved world around us, but justify ourselves, and do not repent.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. I Corinthians 11:31,32

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1,2

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:11-14

            God is challenging us to be the Christians that we profess to be (Matthew 12:37). The Lord showed me the following simple truth, by which He greatly began transforming my life:

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habakkuk 2:4

            This verse has been precious to many Christians over the centuries, with the second part of it being quoted 3 times in the New Testament (Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Anytime I had heard this quote used, it was in reference to the soul salvation, and eternal life. God emphasized to me that we are to live by faith. Today, most believers take their faith only to be of benefit after they die. God really makes no daily difference in their lives. They work things out themselves, though many times stating that God is leading their actions! Such was the case that we read of in Jeremiah 42:4-7, 43:1,2. These would only obey the Lord if it was in accordance with their own determination.

            Our faith in God, lived out, will bring us into conflict with the unsaved world. We must live out our faith every day, for without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Will you take the time to be sure of your salvation? Time is running out for this world, and not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow. Take time to separate yourself, and seek in prayer for your shortfalls with God. Fall upon the stone which the builders rejected, Jesus Christ: become broken in Him, and found your faith upon His Word (Luke 20:18; Matthew 7:24,25). What will a man give in exchange for His soul (Matthew 16:26)?

            Bad times are just ahead for this world. If we were warned that “the time is at hand” almost 2,000 years ago (Revelation 1:3), how near is it today? War will hit hard (Revelation 9:13-19), and then the antichrist shall come, with great lying signs and wonders (II Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13). The churches, having long cast away God’s Word, and real Christian faith, will readily give their allegiance to God’s enemy (II Thessalonians 2:9-12). It will only be after this period of antichrist, just over 3½ years, that the real Christ will return to rescue His very few and scattered sheep; just before the world’s judgment at Armageddon (Luke 17:28-30; Revelation 19:7-21).

            Don’t follow the faith of men (Matthew 15:7-9; II Corinthians 10:12,18), though they may outwardly appear learned and well-meaning (Acts 4:13). Humble yourself under God’s hand while there is still time, and receive His kingdom as a child. The Lord alone can save you by His grace: trust in Him rightly by His Word, while there is still time.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. I Peter 5:8-10