Move Right In

We are living in the land of Canaan, and we have decided to intermingle with them. We have the same debt load, we watch the same television programs, we attend their festivals, we have become what we are not to be. In a nutshell, as they used to say, we cannot be told apart, and sadly, many would prefer it that way, they want the best of both worlds.

I believe that far too many do not see this as a problem, my lovely wife and I actually know of an older couple, whose husband in the family is an elder in an “Evangelical” church in town, who enjoy watching Joel Osteen. I use them as an example because it shows just how much many “Christians” have determined that obeying the Word of God only goes as far as they want to obey, there is a line that they draw, and any possibility of being seen as “too much of a Christian” is where that line will stay.

These individuals want to be seen as not only a part of God’s family, but as good people, welcome in the community because they do not “push” their faith upon anyone, they are just as content in their own church as they are at an Easter egg hunt or following the prescribed order at a Roman Catholic funeral or wedding. They actually see no problem in this, for they believe in the “why can’t we all just get along” motto, that every faith, as long as it at least mentions the name of God, must be a Christian faith.

Needless to say, there is very little application of the Word of God here, they do not see these actions as being unequally yoked, (2 Cor. 6:14) but instead as the “Christian way to be.”

I speak not so much here to those who have only been saved a very short period of time, though many times that mold is broken, but most generally to those who have a few years of service in, to those who are not unfamiliar to the truths found in the Scriptures. “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Prov. 22:7) So, why are you in debt? “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14) So, why are many of your close friends still living in Canaan, why do some believers not fear the wrath of God anymore?

Because they think outside of the Scriptures, they believe that they can be friends with the world and the people in it, going directly against the Word of God, (James 4:4) they believe it best to become their friends, and then hopefully not get drug too far back into the world, but they do. And they use the defense that they are strong enough in their faith to do so. Direct disobedience will never lead to obedience, the commandments of the Lord can never be bent, only broken.

These individuals are not deceived by Satan or any of the fallen angels, they do not need to spend anytime with them, they have already deceived themselves. To speak with them is to incur their wrath, to attempt to help them see the light of the truth is to invoke their ire, for in their minds they see no fault, they are loved and forgiven. You must remember, I am not speaking of those in what could be considered some religious organization, but in what could in some ways at least, be called an Evangelical church.

Few will stand against these individuals for the same reasons they themselves will not stand, they do not want to be ostracized, they do not want to be called judgmental or contentious, but if you seek the glory of God, and you know these traits to be true in an individual, you must say the truth to them. My guess though is that Matthew 18:16 will not be applied, for in many of these churches you will not find a brother to take with you the second time it is necessary to confront them, much less believing the entire church will stand against this sin. If you are being convicted by the Holy Spirit in this area, and you do not act, you might as well go sit beside these people in the pews.