PLAY CHURCH or REAL CHURCH

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! - 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

This will not be a popular message nor a soothing one. The time is far past for 'feel-good' messages. The Holy Spirit is sounding a trumpet call for all who will follow the Lord to separate themselves from all contained in the above verses. Many so-called Christians are depending on church membership, their good works, or even a 'born again' experience to save them but Paul writes "That through Him (Jesus Christ) we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." - Ephesians 2:18. Jesus is the Door to the Father, but it is by the Spirit that we have access into the Father's presence. If we are not led by the Holy Spirit, we will not see the Father!

"Lovers of themselves" means selfishness in modern terms. Christians are taught today they must have high self esteem and the popular song of yesteryear "I did my way" has become the national motto of today. We are told to expect good things because "We deserve it!" While most Christians would not openly admit they are controlled by such thoughts, church attendance and present moral life indicates they are. Fleshly suffering for the sake of prayer is almost forgotten in the modern church. Fasting means going to a fast food restaurant. Lack of humility keeps the altars empty and scriptural truth must take a back seat to 'political correctness.'

Those who have money are given places of honor in most churches as opposed to those who are obviously poor. Messages about prosperity are better received than those about conviction of sin. Divorce rates are as bad within the church as in the world, which gives testimony to selfishness, unforgiveness, and unloving attitudes in the church. If a message was ever preached about what God says about divorce half the church would either leave or be at the altar in repentance. If "lovers of money" were to be eliminated from the church, many of the pastors would be gone. There would be fewer of the 'monuments of self importance' we call church buildings and there would be more pastors like Paul who support themselves. There would be fewer 'mega churches' and more house churches where people would be participating members rather than spectators.

To be a 'successful' church today we are told there must be lots of programs to entertain members and lots of activity for the youth. The children are even separated out of the service into their own 'youth church' - to give the parents free time to enjoy the adult service. These churches have forgotten that the basis for everything God does is the family. Parents are to 'train up the children' - not the church! These churches have a form of godliness (right sounding words) but they deny its power - the Holy Spirit.

I am convicted of many of the attitudes chronicled above and have had to repent of them before I could write this article. None of us are where we need to be but, if we do not 'love the truth', we will never change. Scripture declares "God is not a man that He should lie", and the fear of God should compel every true Christian to repent from any of these attitudes lest we are among those who are turned away .

We are to be the church and we are the only temple God desires. When we gather, it should be to meet with God and His presence should guide the service. The Holy Spirit has many ways He can move to meet us where we are; teaching, songs of worship, prophesies, messages in tongues and interpretations, testimonies of God's working in individual lives, exhortations, repentance, healings, prayers, etc. He does not want people who play church, but He wants those who are the church. Every service does not have to follow the same pattern but every service does have to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way among us. We are the not the same every day and our needs are not the same so why do we expect God the move the same way every meeting?

As we approach the times of trouble we need to be equipped and led by the Holy Spirit. There is no time left for play church. God is gathering out His real church and equipping it to stand.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13

Pastor Charles Cooley