In these last days what is known as the modern American church has become the weakest representation of the Almighty God serving flesh and sin rather than God. Let us examine the modern American church according to the Bible.
· Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 KJV
The Holy Spirit says that in the last days some Christians will depart (to set sail, to come out of, withdraw) the faith because of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (the belief of being a god themselves). This reflects the same sin that tempted Adam and Eve to be in charge of their own lives and not submit to God.
Here are some of the characteristics of the modern American church that do not align with the Word of God:
A vision of creating comfortable churches with no conviction.
1. John 8:1-11
Being around Jesus Christ convicts sinners but there is a choice to be forgiven and to sin no more OR to stay in sin. This choice is up to the hearer.
2. John 16:7-13
The Holy Spirit is assigned to convict in areas a person is wrong. The Holy Spirit cannot reveal all things at one time due to being too much to process. This applies to revelations including sin/wrong. The word reprove is defined as to convince, convict, expose, and rebuke. To convict a person evidence must be presented. The modern American church does not present evidence to convict causing a lack of spiritual growth. Without this evidence, the hearers will not see the errors of their lives and make the proper changes to live holier for God.
3. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
A biblical pastor is to be used of the Holy Spirit to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with the Word of God. When the pastor of a church fails to fulfill this calling he is being a useless gift from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12) that is supposed to be helping perfect the saints (making mature Christians).
4. Revelation 3:14-19
God’s people must stay on fire and grow or they cause Jesus to want to puke them out of His mouth. Just think, those that do not measure up to the standard of Jesus Christ will be thrown up out of the body of Christ. This is not where true Christians should desire to be but instead be hot for God doing what He has called them to do.
A lack of biblical doctrine or biblical truths in their entirety.
1. Psalm 119:105-106
The Word of God is a lamp (a light, candle) that should illuminate the path for Christians to walk, especially in this dark world in these last days. Churches should give the Word of God in doctrine and truth for people to see the things around them creating dangers along their way. Just as it is light, the Bible and doctrine also give the instructions of a life pleasing to God. Without seeing the whole picture a person could be misled by those that cherry-pick scriptures to allow their pet sins.
2. 2 Timothy 3:1-17
In the last days, people will fall into this list of sinful attitudes. Biblical pastors should be an example to the congregation of the Word of God lived out. Without biblical doctrine how can anyone live holy and upright before God? This characteristic disqualifies many churches, as well as their pastors, from being endorsed by God.
3. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
Pastors are commissioned to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with doctrine. This doctrine is the act of teaching and instruction. Doctrine is the Bible itself but also the teaching of it by the pastor to the people. (Just as a side note, modern American churches neglect two aspects of these verses as they are mentioned twice within this writing.)
4. Hebrews 4:12
The Word of God is a living, powerful weapon that cuts straight to the very core of a person. This is why many churches handpick or avoid certain scriptures to not offend or confront sin so more people will attend their “campus experience”.
5. James 1:13-22
The church should be a place that confronts sin and lust, not be conformed by sin and lust. A biblical church is a place to find the Word of God that has the ability to save souls. Even the Bible itself discusses that although the Word has the ability to save souls not everyone will choose to allow it access within their lives to do so.
There is more focus on the community rather than God.
A community is defined as a socially connected group of any size whose members share government, common cultural, and historical heritage; public; society.
1. Acts 2:41-47
All of the people that were part of this gladly received Peter’s preaching of Jesus Christ, were baptized and were continuing in the doctrine of the apostles (taught by Jesus to the disciples). Many modern American churches focus on the doctrine of “good” as opposed to the Gospel. This gives the false sense of feeling good without the Good News of Jesus Christ. As faithfulness to doctrine, prayer, and fellowship (aka church attendance) was found among the people signs and wonders were conducted through the biblical leaders as confirmation of God’s Word. Having all things in common was a voluntary assisting to believers in a time of persecution as opposed to an attitude of making everyone equal much like the socialist agenda found not only in America but within many modern American churches. “As every man had need” found in verse 45 is not equality or reliance on the wealth of everyone else but the help for those that needed temporary assistance.
2. Colossians 2:4
Christians should not allow others to use deceiving or empty words to persuade them into things. Using words of flattery or words that originate from a doctrine that opposes the Christian faith is a common practice within many modern American churches.
· Let us examine some of these words used by modern American churches and see what they mean in the context of the Christian faith.
o Let’s be authentic in this fake Christianity.
o Let’s do good in the community while ignoring the opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission for God.
o Let’s have a conversation to convince others that sin is acceptable.
o Let’s be compassionate to those in the community to feel good about ourselves.
o Let’s be casual to create the right atmosphere to relax in during the entertainment created to be the church.
o Let’s engage in a lifestyle that pleases flesh and opposes God.
o Let’s go on a faith journey to travel the roads we desire and declare it is God’s plan.
o Let’s be relevant to the modern culture to please the flesh and fulfill youthful lusts while labeling it as God.
o Let’s be intentional in the perversion of the Gospel by being a friend to the sinful world.
3. Colossians 3:1-2
Christians and the church should be more focused on the things of God and Heaven as opposed to being a copy of things or people of the world. Churches are to reflect the culture of God not the culture of the age.
There is more focus on entertainment than God.
1. Jude 3-8
True Christians and churches must defend the faith and standard of God’s Word. Ungodliness has wormed into the churches (crept in unawares) which promotes immoral living through false grace teaching as well as other false doctrines. God did not allow angels to live outside their purpose, so neither should His people. People are free moral agents but they cannot live immoral lives and place God’s name on them. This attitude mocks supernatural things and people of God and defies authority, especially spiritual authority. When pastors take away the standard of God’s Word what is left, entertainment. Now the church has become a venue for flesh and sin not the holy house of God.
2. Jude 11-19
These types of people lead others to death like Cain, deceive for gain like Balaam, and lead in rebellion against God like Korah. This attitude can shipwreck others through perverting the things of God. Clouds without rain describe holding everything in without giving life to others while blocking out the light. Trees in autumn that are dead with no fruit or roots do not grow and are selfish. Wild waves are what is within coming out in unrestrained through freethinking religious liberties or matters creating perversion of God’s standard. Wandering stars are not consistent but always moving like those that church hop to find the coolest new trend within the church. God and His people are supposed to convict the ungodly of their wrong. Those that live immorally also complain or murmur against God to walk after their flesh and desires. This attitude has crept into the church to create entertainment and decreased the holiness of the church.
3. John 4:20-24
Worship by the Samaritans was created out of line with God’s standard by those not fully set apart for God. The Samaritans were people that mixed pagan idolatry and God’s method. The modern American churches mix the pagan culture and the image of God to create an experience that is not worshipping in spirit or truth.
What do Christians and modern American pastors do now?
There is hope! Time is drawing to an end but as long as there is breath and a conviction with the people there is redemption.
· If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 KJV
· Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19 KJV
May Christians, especially modern American Christians, must stand for the holy standard of God and not allow the things of God to be perverted any longer. The choice is up to every Christian. What will you choose?