09/24/24 NOT "WOKENESS," BUT HOLINESS

09/24/24 NOT "WOKENESS," BUT HOLINESS

I have never seen such days in the western world as these, and in fact, neither has anyone else, concerning the open and widespread and unspeakably absurd deception and immorality, violence, and attacks on basic human dignity, civil behavior and Biblical morality.

We, in the west, have been luxuriating (relatively speaking) in peace, prosperity, privileges, which God has lavished on us. But as SINSANITY was becoming more prevalent and pervasive, it "suddenly" exploded and changed the fundamental social, legal, academic terrain. America, for instance, traded in Divine standards for cultural norms, Divine rule for self rule, Divine deliverance for Statism, Divine treasures for carnal pleasures.

For decades I have "cried aloud and spared not," concerning Satan, sin, Statism and social decay, and I have lifted Jesus as the only Deliverer from personal and national collapse. It is still true, but I don't see national repentance and restoration as a likely option.

Western societies and even western Christendom are so far gone that it is like the days of Noah, when the only hope was for personal salvation. And, like the days of Noah, the response to the call of God is largely ignored or repudiated.

I don't mind calling out the instigators of deception, but the wickedness has saturated the entire landscape, to the extent that people with a Christian background and super shallow discernment are the majority of the "Church" scene.

This is why I call people to reject sinning religion, which corrupts minds and lives, and is destroying children, families, communities, "churches," and nations. The call is not only for those who have never heard the gospel, but for those who have heard and morphed into Laodicean believers. Jesus stands, knocking at the door of the western Church. But only a few are hearing His voice and opening their hearts to Him. Only a few are joining the Lamb of God in the last meal of the day, before His return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

I like to be loving and encouraging, and I choose not to be judgmental, but the fact is that people are not coming out from among the disobedient and corrupt world. Though I take care not to unfairly un-Christianize those who profess faith in Christ, I call them to the reality that without holiness of heart and life, no man shall see the Lord.

People use to quote the phrase, "the world has become so churchy and the church has become so worldly that you can't tell them apart." Today, we are not seeing the world adopt or adapt Christian characteristics. Worldliness is running rampant and mockery of Biblical godliness is the standard, even among some people who are highly esteemed as believers.

The Christian life and experience is not fashioned by our own view. The Christian life and experience is Divinely designed, declared and demanded by God. 

GOD CALLS US UNTO HOLINESS OF HEART AND LIFE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 

Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

1 Thessalonians 3:13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 

Take a few minutes to consider this passage...
Hebrews 12:3-17
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.