As I was ministering earlier this week (see video @goingbeyondchurch), I kept stressing that as Christians we should know how to position ourselves during this critical time in our nation. The church has become to complacent. To comfortable with the status quo. The Lord is calling His church to awaken from its slumber. It is crucial that the church understands the present time in which we live. “The night is nearly over; the day I’d almost here (Romans 13:11-12).
The unction for this message comes from seeking the Lord, and “How Should We Then Live?”, written in 1976 by Dr Francis. Shaeffer, one of the foremost evangelical thinkers of our day. Dr. Shaeffer long pondered the fate of declining Western culture, and concludes that not only have we lost sight of our roots, but of our direction as well. Many of Dr. Shaeffer’s insights carry prophetic truth concerning the moral, spiritual, and intellectual upheaval of our day. Dr. Shaeffer cared deeply about people and their search for truth, as do I. My whole walk with the Lord has been founded on seeking, learning and understanding spiritual truths.
“So, how should we live today?”
The Lord is restoring righteousness to the earth. He longs for a righteousness that has not yet been seen before in this land. In Isaiah Chapter 30, the children of Israel were rebelling against God. They were children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord. The children of Israel didn’t want to be taught the law. They said to the seer prophets “speak to us smooth things; prophesy illusions,” (Isaiah 30:10). In essence, they were saying “stop seeing your visions.” “Stop prophesying to us about what is right.”
The Lord has been showing me this is much like His church today. In many churches the Pastor steers clear of preaching about sin and right living according to scripture for fear of offending or losing members. People seem to lack interest in being taught sound doctrine. Yet, this is what the Apostle Paul told Titus “…teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 1:1) Titus’ responsibility was to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine.
The Message Bible says in 2 Timothy 4:3, “You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
This is a time, as Christians, we must keep our eyes fixed and keep the message of the “gospel of the kingdom” alive. We need to think, act, and speak godly [sanctified, blessed, holy) as a witness to all nations.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teach us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)
Apostle Paul instructed Titus to teach these to encourage and rebuke with all authority. And not to let anyone despise him. In Titus 1:1-2 Paul says, “I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth would give them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.”
He also warned them about false teachers, wayward people, smooth talkers, and deceivers. How they disrupt entire families with their corrupt teachings, all for their dishonest greed. (v. 10-11). Verse 15-16 says, “It’s true that all is pure to those who have pure hearts, but to the corrupt unbelievers nothing is pure. Their minds and consciences are defiled. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are disgusting, disobedient, and disqualified from doing anything good. As true believers, we must keep our hearts pure and steer clear of corrupt teachings. The way to do so is to spend time in the Word.
Let us not be like the children of Israel who only wanted to hear “smooth things.” Seek the truth! The Word that will build up and help you grow into mature believers. God is a just God, faithful to keep His promises. He wants to be gracious to us! I encourage you to be passionately devoted yourself to the works of righteousness by so that you will be fruitful.
“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation[a] to know him through your deepening intimacy with him.
“I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!” (Ephesians 1:17-18)
May God’s wonderful grace be with you all!
Love in Christ,
Dr. A.
Note:
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BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 