For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17
Oh America your sins are great! So where will the consequences and judgment begin? With those in the household of God. Who will have the greatest scrutiny? The spiritual leadership. The Light and Truth were given to the household of faith — to continue to point a dying world to Jesus, but instead it has become a ‘business’ and an empty religion. We have become so rich that most only have an ‘intellectual faith’ or belief – rather than an intimate heart relationship with Jesus. Being so rich we think we don’t need Him for anything. The letter to the church at Laodicea in John’s book Revelation is a stark reminder of what needs to happen on a personal basis. We no longer experience His Presence which brings confession and a repentant heart. We now can comfortably go through all the religious motions during a Sunday service without feeling a twinge of conviction from the Holy Spirit. And if we do have that small convicting voice — it is easily suppressed and shoved aside- because we’ve learned so well how to sear our God given conscience.
The exodus from the American institutional Church isn’t surprising at all, especially if you understand the words of Jesus.
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13
So much of the institutional church has turned to the culture to find it’s relevance. How many have turned to the ‘itching ears’ just to keep the coffers filled? How many are willing to cater to un-Biblical values just to keep ‘a few’ with a hope of gaining more? Anyone who has just a sliver of real ‘faith’ in Jesus — is immediately aware of the wrong going on in the institution now. So what are their choices? Either address the spiritual leaders (like the Pharisees) and try to get them to understand … or leave. The ‘professional’ minister career crowd does not like those who expose their wrong ways or sins. Look at any prophet and Jesus. What happens when their (spiritual leaders) sins are exposed? Does anyone ever look at the machinery or system that caused such a huge stumbling block of compromise in their lives? We blame the individual but never the institution or system. Which is the same thing America’s deep state political players do. Save the institution at all costs. Save the centralized machinery at all costs. The system requires that a person compromise their integrity and the small voice of the Holy Spirit within them .. for the ‘greater good’ of the system / liturgy / priestly robes / titles / and centralized religious elite status … and of course the …money.
So many of the real ‘faithful’ are leaving the confines of the institutional church as the Spirit of God is leading many into the ‘wilderness’ to be refined into a mature spiritual adult. The Holy Spirit is truly becoming their Teacher and Guide. They learn to ‘fellowship’ with the two or three who really love Jesus on a daily basis. They are learning the ways of the ‘kingdom of God’ rather than the ways of the institutional Church. They are learning what it means to be part of a remnant.
Are you one of them?
If so … you are my brother and sister.