Modern Christianity (Written by my Wife)

Modern Christianity (Written by my Wife)

The amount of holiness Christians with the belief that our works do indeed matter and we must pursue righteousness to obtain eternity with Jesus Christ, has seriously decreased.  When I did a search on the words, "What percentage of people have holiness beliefs?" the results were quite sad, though not unexpected. In an article by G. Shane Morris (I don't know much about him, so I am not specifically promoting him, just quoting him. You can read his article here: https://thefederalist.com/2016/10/10/survey-finds-american-christians-actually-heretics/), he said that today's Christians are basically heretics. One of the things he writes is, "Two-thirds admitted that everyone sins a little bit, but still insisted that most people are good by nature, which directly contradicts scripture (See “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”). Over half said it’s fair for God to exercise his wrath against sin, but seemed to waffle about which sins deserved wrath (not theirs!). Seventy-four percent said the “smallest sins” don’t warrant damnation, in contrast to Jesus’ brother, who when writing at the Holy Spirit’s inspiration taught that even one infraction of God’s law is enough to sink someone."

Another article I found by George Barna (again, I am not specifically promoting him, just quoting him https://www.barna.com/research/the-concept-of-holiness-baffles-most-americans/) says, "Holiness is a matter embraced by the Christian Church, but it is not one that many Americans adopt as a focal point of their faith development. This is partially because barely one-third of Americans (35%) contend that 'God expects you to become holy.' A larger share of the born again public believes God has called them to holiness (46%) but that portion remains a minority of the born again population."

According to Wikipedia (which I know is not always accurate), in the past 50 years or so, people who consider themselves a part of the holiness movement has dropped from 600 million to 12 million.

‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: “I know your works, your labor, you patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent... He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:1-7

We have both written quite a bit on the importance of striving to live a holy life, so I will not dwell on that issue today. My goal is to focus on the perception, or I should say, misperception of the true Christian. For the sake of this article, I use the term "true" or "holiness" Christian meaning one who has Arminian beliefs rather than believing in the false doctrine of eternal security.  I am not attempting to be derogatory or sarcastic, but just based on what the Bible says. We are labeled as legalistic, judgmental, hateful, and narrow-minded. True Christians who stand up for their beliefs are no longer admired or respected, but just the opposite. Although my heart goes out to the  martyrs that are being persecuted in other countries, and I greatly admire them all, my focus is on what is happening in America.  

Sadly, one of the reasons most that call themselves Christians have watered down in their beliefs is that they fear persecution from the world and do not have the courage to stand up for Jesus.  In the ancient days of the Romans, the Christians initially rejected Paganism (false gods).  Yet after being tortured and executed for their faith, they decided to allow the Pagans into their churches, believing this would cause the persecution to stop.  They also believed they would be the stronger influence and would not let the false religions drag them down.  However, that was not the case, and the Christians compromised their beliefs and adopted the false gods and even used the images of false gods as the faces on their own saints.  This is also a topic that would make another good issue for another blog, but I will move on for now. However, if you are skeptical of this, do your own research and notice the similarities between the Pagan goddesses Diana & Isis and the Catholic Mary (just as one example). 

My point is that the ancient Christians chose to conform to the world and exchanged the truth for a lie just to be popular.  Today's Christians have done the same thing. They care more about being liked than living a life of holiness and standing up for their beliefs.  You no longer see congregations in modern churches weeping at the altar repenting of their sins because they believe there is grace for all sins.  The modern church members no longer dress as if church is a special occasion, but come in shorts (men and women), mini skirts, low cut tops, and  other provocative clothing.  Even the pastors dress in blue jeans (sometimes ripped) and T-shirts.  They all want to look like the world and in turn treat church irreverently as if going to the mall. Why not when churches now have book stores and coffee shops.  Didn't Jesus warn against turning the church into a marketplace? 

I am continually saddened by people who call themselves Christians then say homosexuality is okay, admire witchcraft, drink alcohol, dress provocatively, tell dirty jokes, etc., all to fit in with their buddies.  Wake up, if these people were really your friends, you would not need to compromise your beliefs to stay friends!  True friendship is as true Christianity, you are loved in spite of your differences. 

That brings me to the topic of true Christians being seen as hatemongers.  Just because I do not support LGBTQ, that does not mean I hate the people involved.  My heart is saddened for them and I have great compassion for their souls.  The old saying, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," applies.  Hating the sin does not mean I hate the person.  98% of our friends have different beliefs from us.  We do not stop being their friends, nor do look down on them. We love them and cherish their friendships.  Instead, we say an extra prayer every day that their eyes will be opened to the ways of holiness. With that said, it is also a shame that the more liberal Christians no longer accept the holiness Christians as if we are not all striving to serve the Lord.  But are we?  Do the modern day Christians really care about serving Christ or serving themselves? Donating time or money to a worthy cause is more than it takes to please the Lord; it takes a lifestyle of holiness and striving to put down sin.  It takes repentance and the casting away of habitual sin, not just throwing money in the offering.  

 If you want to be truthful, you can admit that true Christians are looked at with a lot less tolerance than the LGBTQ community, or any other group that goes against the principles of Jesus Christ. Shortly after we moved to Washington, there was a report on the radio about a street preacher in Seattle being beaten up when he protested gay rights.  This was not an isolated incident. It has become more and more frequent for a Christian to be harmed for speaking the truth more than ever before. Christians are not beating up nonbelievers and yet we are seen as the ones filled with hate?

Even those that call themselves Christians look down on true Christianity and say we are being legalistic and judgmental. When I looked up the definition of legalism on dictionary.com, I was shocked.  One definition was, "the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works."  What?  Even this website is against true holiness Christians! Legalism is what Jesus Christ spoke out against.  Read the gospels!  The Pharisees were so steeped in manmade laws that they were mistreating one another and not focusing on a relationship with God! True Christianity is not about manmade traditions, it is about focusing on the lessons and words of Jesus Christ and striving to live like Him and treating others with love! It is not tolerating sin, but loving the sinner by showing good works to all. 

As the world becomes more and more liberal, the holiness Christian becomes more and more hated.  And I no not use the term "hate" lightly.  The Bible says we will be hated and persecuted for our faith, and this is nothing new.  However, there was a time when non-believers were more tolerant of us.  I fear it will eventually be so bad that just saying the name of Jesus (other than as a curse word) will get one beaten up. 

We all know the day is coming when true Christians will be thrown into jail and certain types of churches will be banned.  In order to stay safe, we will have to hide our faith.  Whenever I think of such things, it both saddens and frightens me.  However, I am not here to scare you. But I do want to wake you up to what modern Christianity has become and will eventually become a huge taboo. 

I also want to encourage you not to water down your beliefs.  Read the gospels of Jesus Christ to know what is right and wrong and quit compromising to be popular!

There is so much more I can say on this subject, but I feel horribly inadequate to expound farther.  I will end by pointing you to the prophet David Wilkerson who said, "I see an hour of persecution coming such as mankind has never before witnessed. This will be a persecution of true Jesus believers that will soon arise like a many–headed monster out of the sea" He also predicted, "An antichrist spirit will enter the hearts of certain men in high places in government and in the judicial system, causing these officials to engage in legal maneuvers designed to harass independent churches, missionaries and ministers."