We cannot expect contemporary culture to bend its will, its wishes, or its wants to conform to our biblical doctrine. Only when man is born again of the Spirit of God will the shackles fall off of his eyes. Then he will see for himself what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what is bad. What is sound and what is unsound. We cannot expect lost mankind to conform to a salvation they have not yet experienced. Of course, we need to pray for that continually, especially now, and we need to love people as never before so that they see the heart of Jesus In all we do. Let us use words like “grace” and “love” to do the work they were intended to do: win the lost to a beautiful Savior.
On the other hand… modern culture (and or a political movement) cannot expect the church to bend its will, either. It’s simply not fair for any group, political or otherwise, to make assumptions that the church should somehow conform to the world. Biblical doctrine is not up for grabs. It doesn’t change from generation to generation to adapt to the culture. It doesn’t get watered down or become lukewarm like we see in the church at Laodicea.
To the churches that have been reshaping themselves to look and feel more palatable to modern culture, God has a word for you today: It has to stop. Time is too short to preach a watered down gospel and/or sell yourself out.
Many of you are in churches that are not willing to take a stand for things you know to be true. You’ve stayed because you love the people, you love the building, you love the pastor. You’ve got a history there. And you love that history. You’ve prayed that the message will strengthen as we get closer and closer to the return of Jesus.
Will it, though? Perhaps those pastors, those boards, those denominations are too frightened because they’re being manipulated by people with money and/or by a cancel culture that will ruin them if they speak biblical truth. So they hide. And they use words like “love” and “grace” in ways they were never meant to be used, to excuse sin.
I believe it’s time for you to get out of those lukewarm churches, friends. Find a church that isn’t afraid to tackle the hard issues without bending truth. Seek out a church where the Spirit of God is free to move. Seek out a church where truth is truth and there are no gray areas. Seek out a church where the people are willing to go down fighting, even if it means they lose all in the process. (This cancel culture can be brutal but the Spirit of God inside of us is so much stronger!)
We don’t have time to play around right now, church. We don’t. It’s time to wake up, listen to what the Spirit is saying, and get busy. Run as fast and as far as you can from any church that is not allowing you to do that. And just by way of reminder:
Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
(Revelation 3:14-22, The Message)