I got a thought provoking article sent to me by one of my parishioners regarding the sad state of Evangelicalism in America. Here is my response . . .
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"It is easy to be critical and blame pastors for the
reality that it was impossible for a generation of hypocrites to pass authentic
faith on to their children. What we see in America now started decades ago with
the failure of Christians to live true lives of true faith. The insurgency
against Christ found willing followers to easily believe the lies of the
emerging culture because of the emptiness of religion they experienced in their
homes. The combination of conservative Christianity's suppression of our
humanity combined with liberal Christianity's embracing of unrighteousness
combined to form a Christian house of cards that crumbled to the winds of
change.
Now we have a church divided as we see 2 Timothy 4:1-4
lived out in the church. People are only interested in hearing what they want
to hear from the pulpit. They want their ears tickled. The conservatives want
hate, hell, fire and brimstone and have their Pharisaic judgmentalism endorsed
by the pastor and the liberals want pastors who will bless off on their
wretched, licentious, sinful lifestyles.
You are certainly correct that sound doctrine needs to be
espoused from the pulpit by men who have a loving, authentic, intimate
relationship with Jesus. Pastors who are like Jesus. But, we must think beyond
the pulpit if we are to make a difference for Jesus in this world. We need men
who are sincerely dedicated to Jesus and ready to do His work from the heart,
starting in their own homes. The bottom line of the problem lies in the hearts
of men and until men humble themselves before Jesus and worship Jesus and
desire to know Jesus, we are surely doomed."
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Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice." Are you listening?
