Churches That Betray Christ
By George Stroh
July 4, 2022
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
(2 Timothy 4:3,4)
We expect the world to ignore and stand against the sound doctrine of the word of God; But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
(1 Corinthians 2:14) What is most tragic is when local churches, even so called evangelical churches, deprive people from sound doctrine by deficient, trivial, and false preaching and teaching. Satan's strategy, of course, is to keep people from hearing the only true saving gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and to conform Christians to the world's godless culture, philosophies, and world view; And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
C.H. Spurgeon wrote, "If our churches lose their holy influence among men, write on them 'betrayed'". Churches that deny, or even just neglect, the sound doctrine of God's word are soon conformed to the world and have little or no credibility regarding the true gospel; You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (Matthew 5:13, 14)
Much of the so called "Church growth movement" during the past 60 years has had little to do with real repentance and sincere faith alone in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The rapid growth in church attendance, and now steady decreases in attendance, can be primarily attributed to the church's increased conformity to a godless modern culture, entertaining and worldly church services, and multiplied social programs. The result has been an explosion of false converts who have become increasing disillusioned and bored with church after having been deceived by false preachers and teachers; ...holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Timothy 3:5)
My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. (Jeremiah 50:6) I hope you are not a part of a church that has betrayed Christ and is just "tickling ears", but that you an active member of a biblically solid Church where you are lead and nourished by the consistent preaching and teaching of the sound doctrine of God's word.
Maranatha!
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