Scriptures That Today's Church Will Not Embrace

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.-Matthew 26, 27.

There are some parts of the Bible that our present day “Church” really doesn’t handle well. Any part of the Bible which may be uncomfortable is likely to be avoided, or thought to be only applicable to some other time, place, or people. Pastors are taught how to skillfully handle such passages in a way that will keep their “flock” comfortable-and coming back for more.

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 4:3, 4.

The following is a partial list of some rather uncomfortable truths from the Word of God, the King James Bible. This is in no way a complete list, and the points noted here are not in a particular order of priority.

1) False teachers. God has given us incredible warnings about false teachers, but the “anything goes” Church of today accepts almost everything without any deeper examination. This has likely arisen because the foundation of God’s Word has been destroyed (Psalm 11:3), and there is nothing left to stand on. We have become destructively addicted to getting along with everyone, at any price. We need the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and the boldness to take a stand.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. –Acts 20:28-31. See also II Corinthians 11:13-15.

2) Worldly affection. Christians are supposed to be “new creatures” in Christ, and dead to the world and its appetites: instead, we remain just like the unsaved world, retaining most of their values (like sports, movies, video games, vacations). Preaching about such things could get VERY uncomfortable in many congregations! Preachers, will you dare to stand up for holiness?

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. See also I John 2:15, 16.

3) A rough path. The way of a Christian is not an easy one, yet that is not the common perception provided by the Church of today. It is generally regarded that “victorious” Christian living will show itself in the believer’s good standing with others, and in material prosperity. The Bible doesn’t show us this! Hasn’t the book of Job taught us anything?

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. –Acts 14:22. See also II Timothy 3:12.

4) The last days. Christians don’t like thinking about the end times mostly because they know that it will mean a lot of difficulty. This is why so many have bought into the unscriptural notion of a pre-tribulation rapture; they like the idea of this, because it would keep them from the worst of these times, under the reign of the Antichrist. They may also like to believe that no one can really know the time of the end. Such ideas may be comfortable, but they aren’t Biblical. God has given us a lot of help through His Word in order to prepare us- let’s embrace it!

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? –Matthew 24:3. You will note that Jesus’ disciples asked the Lord in private specifically about the end of the world-and Jesus told them! See also all of Matthew 24, Luke 17: 26-37, and 21:7-36.

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. –Revelation 13:6, 7. Bold type added.

Revelation 13 is devoted primarily to the Beast (the Antichrist), and also to the false prophet. This referral to him making war with the saints actually comes prior to the implementation of the 666 identity number, found in verses 16-18. There are multiple other scriptures that refer to the plight of believers under the Antichrist (mostly in the book of Daniel). God wants to prepare us, brethren; will we let Him?

5) Hating life in this the world. This is a tough one, but it falls right in line with where Christian affections should be. Jesus directly tells us that we should hate our lives in this world in John 12:25; but how can this be? Aren’t there many blessings to be thankful for? What we need here is a spiritual perception. Sin and Satan have ruined our world in countless ways, and we need to be aware of this as children of God. Wars, famine, disease, wild beasts, social injustice, and untimely deaths are all a part of this world’s sinful ruin; we have fallen very far from the way God created things to be. And nothing can in any way compare with what Jesus has in store for us! Yet it seems that for today’s “church,” reward is primarily in this temporal world.

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. See also Colossians 3:1-3.

6) Self denial. Luke 9:23 says, “ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Yet the professing church of today doesn’t really deny itself, does it? And it certainly won’t teach this message to the general congregation. The preaching of the cross has become foolish, even with regard to the daily life of individual believers. Some would say, “God accepts me as I am: and besides that, He hasn’t asked me to give up these things.” The key part in Luke 9:23 is instructing us to deny ourselves. In other words, we are choosing for ourselves to put away anything that might stand in the way of following Christ; we choose it, even if God hasn’t yet instructed us to do it. And the Word of God will reveal what pleases the Lord, and what to avoid.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. –Luke 17:10.

7) We are fighting the devil. Most Christians will not accept that they are fighting Satan directly, and churches don’t teach it. Typically, our fight with the devil is thought to be indirect; we suppose that because Satan deceived mankind into sinning, and we now have a sinful nature, that this is the measure of our fight with the devil. Such assumptions may have an element of truth in them, but their conclusion is way off base. The devil is very, very real. But our enemy does like to disguise his work by using points of “ordinary” agitation. I will give 2 examples. It is a fact that babies cry, and we would expect an infant to do this in trying to communicate that something is wrong. Satan can take advantage of this. My wife and I attended a church where there was no nursery, so the small infants were kept in the sanctuary with their parents. Occasionally, a loud din of crying would ensue from these young infants; my wife and I would look at each other, and then in barely audible voices we would bind Satan from working upon these children in Jesus’ name. By doing this we were acknowledging that there might be some legitimate reason for crying, but focused on preventing the devil’s agitation. The crying always stopped. When we shared this with the pastor, he was stunned; his reaction told us that he didn’t think the devil could be in his church!

On another occasion, just recently, I was trying to dispatch a “green bottle” housefly in our home. He showed up suddenly, and just before I was going to pray. He was buzzing back and forth quickly, and I thought it seemed almost angry; I thought it would be very hard to get. But then I bound Satan from working upon the fly in Jesus’ name; the fast, angry flying stopped, and he landed on the back of the nearby chair! Yes, I got him! So let’s not take our adversary for granted, or the weapons God has given us to fight him.

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. –I Peter 5:8, 9. See also Ephesians 6:10-18.

8) Compromising with family. As Christians, we must expect the resistance of the enemy. We must also expect that he will use those closest to us to cause a lot of trouble. Under many circumstances it is only reasonable and logical to maintain good relations within a family; but our commitment to Christ must take priority. The church of these “last days” emphasizes “getting along” with others above almost everything else. But we as believers must be careful not to let the worldly value of unity lead us into a denial of Christ. There was an article in a local newspaper some time ago, highlighting how a pastor defied his denomination to perform a wedding for his homosexual son! Of course, the paper was presenting this as if there was some type of nobility in the pastor’s decision. Yet the espousal of this sin wasn’t noble in God’s eyes; in fact, it denied Christ.

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. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. –Matthew 10:34-39. See also Luke 14:26. Bold type added.

Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His words (John 14:23). He calls us to embrace His full counsel, and not only the pleasant parts. Living for Christ is really not easy, for it means behaving in a way that is often contrary to our natural inclinations in the flesh. It is time for us to put our spiritual houses in order and prepare to meet our God; for truly, the coming of the Lord draws near.

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.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. –I Peter 4:17-19.

Why America Can't Repent

They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD. –Hosea 5:4.

When we talk about these, the “Last Days,” we know that it is obviously a time when God’s judgment is at hand. Yet there are many who confidently assert that with repentance America can avert this judgment, and go on for many more years. This will never happen, and one key as to understanding why it can’t happen is found in the scripture above; we are infected with the spirit of whoredoms. Individuals may still respond with real repentance, and God calls on them to do so, but the nation as a whole never can.

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. –John 3:20, 21.

The professing church of these last days doesn’t understand how to apply these verses: rather than asking the Lord to examine their deeds in light of His Word to find if they are acceptable (Psalm 139:23, 24), they presume that they are already approved of God. All of this comes from the infection of WORLDLINESS, which was foretold in scripture…

There are seven churches listed in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Although these churches were very real, they also seem to be representative of ages that Christ’s church will go through. With this in view, we now would be in the last of these ages, the Laodicean age (Revelation 3:14-22). This age is rather distinct from the others in some notable ways; first of all, it is the only church that has nothing good spoken about it! But secondly, Jesus addresses this church differently than any of the others. Check out these comparisons;

UNTO the angel of the church of Ephesus write; (2:1)

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; (2:8)

And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; (2:12)

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; (2:18)

AND unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; (3:1)

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; (3:7), all underlining was added.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; (3:14), bold type added.

This last church is therefore the only one addressed as RESIDENTS of the town, not just the town itself. When I asked the Lord why this was, He showed me that it is because this church cannot be distinguished from the world around it! Surely, this also well describes the church of our times. We are utterly, deeply polluted- and we don’t seem to think that this offends God at all. This is why we can never truly repent: how can we, when we think there is nothing to repent of? It is the spirit of whoredoms, by which we are continually compromising with the unsaved world around us.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean. –Haggai 2:11-14.

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, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. –II Corinthians 6:14-18.

Today’s church is a polar opposite from the direction of scripture: God’s Word tells us that ANY uncleanness will pollute everything, and so we need to put it away. But the church of our time seems to think that if we can find any good in it at all, we should keep it, and God can use it. God says that it cannot be this way, and that which we offer is unclean to Him.

Most people in America don’t realize the dire spiritual condition of our nation, and we professing Christians lead the way in this ignorance. The system we are in has made it possible for individuals to carve out “good lives” for themselves here. People are either completely unaware of the devil’s stranglehold on our nation, or they rationalize that there is still “plenty of good” that we can be blessed by. Here in Amish country (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania), the horses wear “blinders” to help them better cope with automobile traffic on the road: God doesn’t want His people to have such an accessory! Pray that God will remove our blindness: that we may be prepared for the even more trying times which are soon to come upon us…

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. –I Corinthians 2:14-16.

When it comes to these, the last of “the last days,” my position is that we can’t prevent it. God’s Word is true, and it shall be fulfilled…

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. –Matthew 24:32-35.

For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. –Luke 21:22. 

King Josiah was one of the best kings of God’s people of old, and you can find his account in II Chronicles 34 and 35. The Bible shows us that Josiah sought the Lord greatly, and did much toward the spiritual cleansing of the temple, and the nation as a whole. When a book of the Law of Moses was found, Josiah was grieved, and tore his clothes-he knew that by God’s law judgment was deserved by his nation. Upon inquiring of the Lord, Josiah found that his fears were justified; God’s wrath would indeed fall upon them. Yet due to Josiah’s repentant spirit and works, God said that His wrath would not come while Josiah was still alive-but it would come!

Even though King Josiah led his nation into the right path, the heart of this people, as a whole, still wasn’t right with God. They weren’t repentant. They thought highly of themselves, that they were “God’s people,” and that He would not harshly judge them. They just didn’t get it! The book of Jeremiah gives the account of God’s judgment which came: although He repeatedly sent Jeremiah to warn them to return to Him, they responded with rebellion.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? –Jeremiah 8:5-9.

And it is the same in America today; we are too caught up in our personal lives to really see the big picture, and the church is just as infected. We have destroyed the world with our whoredoms, and we drip with innocent blood. Can we not see the nations we have destroyed? How can such violence be justified? Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Vietnam represent casualties in the tens of millions; and these casualties were not inflicted in the defense of our nation. But the hypocrisy is even worse when “relief” groups from America then go in to help these nations that we destroyed! Where were these groups beforehand? Why aren’t they working to prevent such evil atrocities? Satan is not showing here in America a divided kingdom- it’s really all a part of the same big, bad animal!

The underlying wickedness of this nation began to come out openly about 60 years ago. Hollywood, cigarettes, fast cars, television, and rock-n-roll “music” set the table for all kinds of immorality. Then in 1960, President Eisenhower began pushing Evolution theory in schools, and by 1963, prayer was banned from the schools! Sinful rebellion exploded in the 1960s, a period often identified with “sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.” It was our own CIA that brought the majority of drugs into our country from Southeast Asia.

Then abortion was legalized in 1973, and since that time about 3 million unborn children are murdered through this every year- over 130 million total since that time! The promiscuity has continued accelerating, until now we have homosexual marriage legalized, and the incredible insanity of “trans-gender” issues. How can people not know if they are male or female?

In all of these matters, the professing church of Christ has been far too tolerant, and mostly silent. Therefore we Christians in America also share in the responsibility for these overt evils. And yet we send missionaries abroad! Just what are we preaching in other nations? How can we convert the lost in Asia, or Africa, when we have allowed such great evil to proliferate here at home? By what I have seen of modern missionaries from here, they usually bring some type of material prosperity with them (a bribe?) to benefit the region they are going to- all of which is primarily geared to having a better life here on the earth, rather than for eternal salvation. If these missionaries claim success, what have they accomplished? We have forgotten our warnings from scripture which say…

And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. –Exodus 23:8.

Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. –Proverbs 19:6.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. –I Timothy 6:3-8. Bold type added.

In other words, many missionaries are influencing the “spiritual” choice of people through material prosperity, which a Christian is not promised in the Word of God. The preaching of the cross, which concerns the sinfulness of mankind, has become foolish; people don’t like to be called sinners! And the alleged conversion of these unsaved has been tainted by gifts. I have personally known people that have left pure Christianity because of material gifts from another “faith.” You will find an account of a like situation in the gospel of John, chapter 6 (please read).

Think about where we have come to as a nation, and the professing church’s position in all of it. We have now had almost 60 years worth of evolution theory taught in public schools, and it is taught as a fact. Now couple this with a 55 year ban on public school prayer, and you have the recipe for moral disaster.

Music has been a preferred tool of Satan, and this is not only rock-n-roll, but country music as well. Listen to the lyrics, and what is promoted. Look at the lifestyles of the singers promoting it. And then the “contemporary” Christian music leaders admire the world’s music leaders, and seek to emulate them.

Then there is the movie industry, alive and growing for about 90 years: oh, how sin is promoted! Lies, drugs, and illicit sex push themselves into our lives, and treated as if these things are good and desirable. Television is even worse because it is a constant, and not the occasional as movies tend to be. TV has been around now for 70 years, and most people can get it now on their hand-held devices. We are squandering time, brethren. And then we are filling it with things that are CONTRARY to the mind of God! Check out the following scriptures;

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. –John 7:7.

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

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) –II Peter 2:6-8.

Do we testify to the world that its works are evil? Or is it more important to get along with them, and be well-spoken of? Have we been reproving the unfruitful works of darkness, or consistently fellowshipping with them? Are our redeemed souls vexed over the unrighteous behavior we witness around us, like Lot’s soul was, or have we become so accustomed to it that it really doesn’t seem bad? Worldliness has taken over the church, and through it the church has found its place in the world; the REAL church has no place in the world!

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.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. –John 17:14.

We have lost our discernment, brethren; we have become utterly intertwined with the world, and we can’t even see it clearly enough to know that something is seriously wrong.

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.

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.

THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

One form of worldly, time-wasting entertainment that has really overtaken the church can be seen in professional sports. The Lord dealt with me about this issue some 9 years ago. My own areas of challenge in this were found mostly in baseball and football- until I examined these affections in the light of God’s Word. That examination has led me “crucify” this affection of the flesh; not just once, but numerous times. The easy, plain conclusion is that professional sports are a worldly affection that distracts us from a pure Christian focus in life. It yields bad fruit;

1) It wastes time. Ephesians 5:16. Professional sports are an entertainment form, pure and simple. We are wasting precious time. Here we are indulging in worldly pleasure, when the world is spiritually perishing. We need to be about our Father’s business, even if it is just in personal growth.

2) It is a diversion. Instead of seeing what is really going on, our attention is on the game! The Greek philosopher Plato, in his philosophy of government, said that sports should be used to distract the masses of subordinates! While we are distracted by our sports, we are being set up for the reign of the Antichrist. Mathew 24:4.

3) It wastes money. Christians are supposed to be stewards of God’s provisions (Luke 16:1, 2). Money is wasted by attending sports events, and also due to the high-priced food and “souvenirs.” A person may need a coat, but to get one with a team logo will double the cost.

4) It espouses evil practices. By participating in the worldly obsession of professional sports, we are lending approval to all the evil practices that accompany them- like violence, lust, or drunkenness (Matthew 24:48-51). A friend of mine saw such violence in the stands at an Eagles game that he will not go again. Lust comes in a focus on the cheerleaders. Drunkenness may be rampant at the game itself, but even through TV the alcohol commercials are extensive. Remember Ephesians 5:11?

5) It is bad fellowship. Christians are told to witness to the unsaved world, not to casually socialize with them! This will only lead to our corruption (I Corinthians 15:33).We ought to prefer the company of other believers- that is how we will be edified (Romans 12:10).

But then we have the Philadelphia Eagles, the pro football team, that have won the most recent Super Bowl: this team claims to be a “praying team,” and I’m sure they intend to glorify God by announcing it. Yet in light of what we have just looked at in God’s Word, this would seem to be confusing, a contradiction: could this really be a work of God, through Jesus Christ? How can we discern the truth? If the real God helped them to win the Super Bowl, wouldn’t that indicate a divine favor toward pro football, or any pro sport? There is now even a book out about it called, Birds of Pray. I did not read through the book, only the introduction. Before going any further, I wish to acknowledge that God’s ways are indeed infinitely above ours, and mysterious. Still, God has revealed Himself in His Word, the King James Bible, and I will stand upon that Word as the truth. I do not believe that God approves of pro sports, nor do I believe that any apparent success of the Eagles can overturn what the Word of God has to say about it. I am also not judging the eternal status of any of the Eagles’ players or coaches.

To say the least, there are problems in assuming that the Eagles’ prayer life brought them a Super Bowl victory. By the Biblical principles we have examined, God cannot be in favor of His children devoting their affections, time and money to professional sports. In mercy, God may allow such a thing for an immature believer (I Corinthians 13:11), all the while patiently bringing them to maturity. This may be true for an individual, but with the Super Bowl there is a broad witness to millions of people. Would God sponsor such a misplaced affection in contradiction to His Word?

Satan knows how readily we are deceived by apparent success. This is an example of the WORLDLINESS that has overtaken the church: they reckon that if it is materially successful and esteemed among men, then it must be good and Godly. WRONG! Consider the following scriptures, and remember that Satan is the God of this world;

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. –Luke 4:5-7.

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. –Luke 16:13-15.

We need discernment, brethren! Satan is only too happy when we attribute his works to God.

There are a few thoughts I would like to share about the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, and its relation to prayer: this is mostly meant to aid the discernment of my fellow believers. Remember that the Eagles are attributing their success to prayer, and a book has been published about it.

1) Were there any other teams that prayed? 2) Have there been Super Bowl winners that didn’t attribute their success to prayer? 3) If all teams diligently prayed, how would God choose the one Super Bowl champion? 4) Would a book have been written for any lesser achievements, such as merely a playoff berth, a .500 win percentage, or just in defeating a really good team? 5) Would a book have been written if the victories were only spiritual and personal, and not so visible? 6) Was God behind all the looting and violence in Philadelphia that followed the win? 7) Would God sponsor such a “blessing,” which would only bring confusion to His people by casting doubts upon the written Word of God? The truth is that it’s hard to argue with success. And after a person (or team) has succeeded, they may claim ANY basis for their prosperity. God has not promised His church worldly prosperity or popularity, but quite the opposite…

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 10:25.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. –Mark 13:13.

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. –Luke 6:22, 23.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. –Luke 17:10.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. –John 16:33.

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. –Acts 14:22.

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. –II Corinthians 4:8-10.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. –Revelation 12:11.

The purpose of this article is to show why America CAN’T repent; any real repentance must begin with the church. But if the church cannot see from where it has fallen, how it has strayed from the Word of God, or why its sinful worldliness makes God sick (Revelation 3:16), then there is no legitimate basis for sincere repentance. And if the church won’t turn back to God, how can it even begin to preach the cross to an unsaved world?

The Philadelphia Eagles are a good, public example of how the church has lost its discernment (this would include any professing Christians among the Eagle’s team). A book is produced, touting the Eagles’ “prayer life” as the reason for their success-but could God really be behind it? Would God deliberately embrace the wicked indulgences of pro football in an effort to promote His righteousness? Did you know that many Philadelphians were being treated to free beer in celebration? Please go back and read James 4:4 and I John 2:15 and 16 again! I think a better Biblical application of the Eagles’ victory can be found in this scripture;

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. –Ecclesiastes 9:11.

Jesus has told us that if we want to follow Him, we must deny ourselves, and take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23). To do such things is painful, and inconvenient, to say the least. Today’s “church” doesn’t think it has to give up anything, but holds fast to its idols-and invites wrath.

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: -Colossians 3:5, 6.

Another way to look at it can be found in the example of the “rich young ruler.” The following is the account given through Mark;

17) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18) And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19) Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20) And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21) Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22) And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. –Mark 10:17-22.

You will note here the earnestness with which this young man sought the Lord; verse 17 shows us that he came running to Jesus, and knelt before Him, asking how to inherit eternal life. It sounds like he was on the right track! After correcting his perception as to what a “good” person is, Jesus responds in verse 19 by telling him to keep the commandments; but verse 20 shows us that he has already been doing this! These opening interactions indicate a sincere dedication toward pleasing God on the part of the young man: but it wasn’t enough for salvation. Something in the way Jesus beheld him showed the Lord’s love for him (verse 21), probably because of his sincere search for the truth; but the young man still held something of greater esteem in his heart, namely, the riches and possessions which he still had. Jesus challenged him to give them up, assuring him of the eternal life which he sought for- and even directly invited the young man to follow Him! In the end (verse 22), the young man was not really willing to lay quite everything down upon the altar.

And this is why the church of these last days in America cannot repent, and why therefore the country as a whole cannot repent; it has only a form of godliness (II Timothy 3:5) which has denied God’s power. THERE ARE MANY, MANY IDOLS IN OUR HEARTS THAT WE WON’T GIVE UP. We call Jesus our Lord, but won’t do what He says (Luke 6:46). We are truly enamored with our earthly lives, and think that we can have it all-a good life here, and eternity as well!

God has warned us that this time would come, and He has warned us so that we might be prepared to meet Him. America as a nation may be unable to repent, but individuals still have that ability; and the kingdom of God is made up of individuals. We can rejoice in knowing that our immortal souls are safe with God through Jesus Christ. We can rejoice in knowing that the time of evil and misery here on earth is almost over. We still have a lasting hope.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 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 8:5-8.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. –Romans 8:24, 25.

Andy Schwankl

913 Ivy Lane

Ephrata, PA 17522