Our world is descending into deeper and deeper chaos and darkness. In light of this sad reality, sincere Christians must ask...

​

Do we Christians hold much of the responsibility for this ever-increasing downward spiral? Is the Church, as it now exists and operates, at least partly to blame?

​

Considering the biblical and historical truth that the Church... the Body of Christ... is called to show forth the very life and nature of Christ, and to demonstrate the reality of God's kingdom in the midst of a sick and dying world... the answer to the question, sadly is yes!

​

If you're not shouting "Heretic! Stone him" yet, think about these facts...

​

The apostolic Body of Christ [and even bodies of believers today] were placed in the midst of a very hostile environment that looked upon them as insurgents [rebels or revolutionaries] who were seeking to overthrow the established order of Rome and the Jewish religious system.

​

In fact, they were insurgents.

 

So, they faced big problems from two directions, but even when faced with threats of violence by the religious leaders, Peter and the others responded by saying, "We ought to obey God rather than men."

​

They responded in similar ways to threats by the State.

​

These disciples were viewed with suspicion, fear and anger, and suffered many things at the hands of those surrounding them on all sides.

 

They had their property taken away; they were mocked, beaten and tossed in jail; they were even tortured and killed in numerous, horrendous ways. Rome and the established religious system set out, over a long period of time, to wipe them off the face of the earth.

​

An interesting fact regarding this hatred and persecution is that Jesus, Paul, Peter and others basically guaranteed that the disciples [in other words, "believers"] would go through these fires, and told them that trials were good, and had a purpose.

​

How weird is that?

​

Here is just one example...

​

2 Thessalonians 1: 3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.

​

The guarantees of trials and suffering, and there are many, apply to believers in our modern world, too... at least to those who are living the life... The Way, as it was called... in a genuine, biblical manner.

​

Of course, not everyone despised them. There were countless others who saw their love, unity, boldness and fearlessness, and knew that a kingdom from another world was in operation.

 

Those who saw these traits loved and embraced the disciples and the gospel, in spite of the obvious, personal risk and danger that this involved.

​

This only ramped up the hatred by the State and the Jewish leaders because, in spite of all the horrors being inflicted upon the believers, their numbers continued to grow. There was even a saying in apostolic times which said:

 

"The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church." 

​

Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church...

​

2 Corinthians 2: 14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?

​

So, what is the real point of what I'm saying? The point is this...

​

The apostles and the mass of disciples... in ancient times and throughout Church history... were people who took the Lord, His word, His agenda and His commands seriously. There was really no such thing as "believers". There were only disciples.

​

They didn't sit around in air-conditioned "Churches", listening to endless sermons, never getting to truly know each other or even their "Pastor".

​

They didn't spend the vast majority of their time and energy going about their own affairs and interests.

​

They went to leper colonies to reach lepers. They sold themselves into debtors' prisons to rescue people who couldn't pay their debts. They lived lives of genuine love and unity, caring for widows, orphans and the destitute. They suffered torture and martyrdom at the hands of vicious enemies, and prayed for these wicked people as they died.

​

In short, they lived a supernatural life, together and turned the world upside-down, despite enormous hatred and opposition.

​

We modern "Christians" on the other hand, do one or two "nice" programs, projects or activities once or twice a week, never truly departing from our comfort zones. We go to retreats, bible studies and pot-luck "fellowship". We sing praise songs and listen to endless sermons.

​

For the most part, we are clueless as to the real calling of the Lord upon us... to deny ourselves, take up our own cross daily and follow Him. To lose our lives for His sake and the sake of the gospel. 

​

With the tremendous advantages we have over just about any believers in history, we are bland, flavorless, self-centered, self-serving, apathetic and so easily distracted by the world... the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.

​

The most shocking thing is this... The majority of us can't, or won't see the reality of our true, miserable, blind and naked condition. Unbelievers typically can see it, if they even bother to pay attention to us, but we can't.

​

It's time to rend out hearts and not our garments, brothers and sisters, and return to the Lord and His ways, which we have forsaken.

​

It's time to put away our weak, counterfeit religious activities and present ourselves as living sacrifices, and be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​