“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” John 4:23-24 NASB
I am deeply convicted as I write this letter. My heart is heavy, and my mind is pressed underneath the gravity of the topic which I feel called to discuss.
Lord God almighty, give your servant the words and the courage to clearly describe and explain what you have laid on my heart these past few months.
To those who find themselves reading this letter, I would like nothing more than to not write what is likely to follow these words. I would like nothing more than to go on and leave aside the pressures and convictions that God has laid upon me, because they are not easy, nor are they comfortable.
We have lost direction, we have become blind mice scurrying about in pursuit of a sensation which does not exist. We have turned away from the belief that there is one truth, we have turned away from the belief that we ought to be different, we have turned away from the belief that there can only be one absolute true understanding of scripture, we have stopped pursuing this truth. We have come to a place of comfort where we find our theology to be “good enough”. We have come to believe that there are multiple truths, that there are multiple correct interpretations, that there are multiple forms of Christianity which are true.
Rarely, if at all, do we stand up firm in our convictions and dare utter the words “You are wrong”. I would point to the following examples as individuals, and kinds of organizations whom we ought to be speaking out against within the Protestant tradition. Joel Osteen, Steven Furtick, Churches who support the ordination of practicing homosexuals or women as Pastors and overseers, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Health and Wealth prosperity Gospel. Ministries who are comfortable requiring no doctrinal stance of their leaders, Christians who will not stand against the slaughter of innocents in the name of “Women’s rights”, Christians who will not call out the immorality of the world around them, Christians who are more married to their politics, or economic systems more than they are to the word of God, holy, divine, and “… useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16).
We have softened the gospel, we have made Christ weak, needy, and desperate for the attention of the wicked. We no longer have any capacity to understand what it means to worship God in truth. Doctrine is the summary of the teachings of Scripture, and as such is the skeleton upon which faith rests. So many of us have fooled ourselves into believing that we bring something to God, and in return we receive everlasting life, all we have brought is the sin which nailed Christ to the Cross, humanity has brought nothing to God other than sinful hearts which need to be changed, washed, and restored by the redeeming blood of Christ. We have fooled ourselves into believing that sin does not taint us to the core, we have stopped believing that we are shattered and damned to hell from our very conception. The Psalmist recognized this very reality when he penned the following words “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm 51:5)
I have been using “we” throughout this letter, and some may be confused that I, perhaps, may not be talking about them. Let me be clear, my conviction is that all Christians have failed to one degree or another in their witness of Christ in their life. Let me be clear, there are only two categories of human on the spiritual level. One is either born again, utterly devoted to God, and a willing sacrifice for His purposes, or one has not been plucked by God from the pits of hell to which we are all born deserving to be sent.
Despite the extreme depths of spiritual death, and the expanse of cowardice among the ones who would claim to be disciples of Christ. There is HOPE for God’s children, there is hope and joy to be found in the presence of God, there is hope for revival, and there is hope for change. God is calling His sheep, God has declared victory over death, and freedom from sin for His people. I know many others like myself, who are praying daily, and fervently for revival to sweep through the world, for people to be saved by God, for people to be brought out of darkness, and sin, and shame, and into the light of God’s glorious love and presence. There are people desperately crying out for God to be seen in the worship of those who gather in His name. There are people pursuing an understanding of truth, there are people who God has called up to challenge the church, and to call out to the stagnant hearts of billions of people who are rolling gently towards the fires of hell.
“God, perfect and wonderful creator of all that is and was and ever shall be. Change our hearts, draw us to you, bring us to the narrow path, and help us on our way. Anything you require of us, God alone you provide it. God help us to pursue truth, help us to believe that there is absolute truth, help us to be convinced of the Holiness of your divine Word. God restore us, cleanse your people of all wickedness. God cleanse me, make me a vessel purified for your purposes.”
If you’ve read this far, reach out to me… If you’ve agreed lets pray together. If you’ve disagreed let’s have a discussion.
In Step With God 