The Apostate Church
- by Paul Proctor
Part 2: When Jesus isn't Enough
Why is it so many of today's Christians are terrified to be
alone in a quiet
room with Jesus? Heaven knows we're not afraid to be jammed in on top of one
another at a concert hall, auditorium or arena singing praises to the beat
of some funk-rock band of righteous renown. In fact...the more the merrier
and the louder the better! In this new age of "worshiptainment" and
seeker-sensitivity I can't help but wonder what it is we're all avoiding as
we mindlessly do the wave for Jesus in a sea of souls at a Promise Keepers
rally. Have we become so bored and restless with God that it takes a
maniacal machine of organized enthusiasm to motivate us the way His "still
small voice" used to?
Is your faith in the Living Word of God or is it in one of the Christian
organizations, programs, movements, bands, activities and events that have
become so essential to today's "seekers"? Before you answer, let me ask you
this. Do you tell those you meet along life's way what an "awesome" church
you have or do you tell them what a loving and forgiving Savior you have? Do
you invite them to church on Sunday or do you invite them to Christ on
Saturday? Do you tell them about your friends from Promise Keepers or do you
tell them what a friend you have in Jesus? When you give your testimony, do you
tell your audience how much the church (or the organization you belong
to) has changed your life or do you tell them about the NEW life Jesus
Christ has given you? There is a distinct difference here and your answers
may well determine where your faith actually lies.
I am reminded of Kimberly Smith's book, "Let Those Who Have Ears to Hear", where
she writes: "If they took the music away...would you still follow
Jesus?"...referring to the sensually gratifying, beat-oriented "praise
music" that many believe deafens the church to that "still small voice" and
invites spirits that do not belong. I think she asks a very fair question. I
also think it is fair to ask, if they took away all of the organizations,
movements, state-of-the-art "worship centers", "ministries", "leadership
conferences" and networks along with their programs, consultants,
techniques, strategies, polls, experts, "vision teams", "team leaders" and
Christian celebrities would WE still follow Jesus? Frankly, I'm beginning to
wonder if it isn't THESE VERY THINGS that keep us from following Christ.
Of course, it's only human to compare oneself to others and imitate those we
spend the majority of our time with but that doesn't justify the herd
mentality or our participation in the peer pressure it produces. If we run
with the cattle of compromise, consensus and complicity we will undoubtedly
become just like them. On the other hand, if we spend our time quietly
walking with the Lord, believing His every word and acting on that belief
with the simplest of faith, we will be more like Him. I can tell you from my
own experience that there are many Christian friendships and affiliations
I've had to forfeit over the years not because I didn't enjoy the
relationship but because of the negative effect and influence they had on my
life. It is a difficult choice to have to make sometimes but one that is
necessary nonetheless.
I'm not talking about forsaking good Christian fellowship or becoming a
societal outcast for Christ...by no means. I'm talking about becoming
addicted to the emotional trappings, psychological maneuvering and sensual
seduction of an Apostate Church that empowers itself and its leaders through
the egos and appetites of those they claim to serve. Jesus warned us to
beware of the wide gate and the broad way where so many would go to
destruction. If you'll recall He didn't tell the rich young ruler to take up
the cross and follow US. He said "take up the cross and follow ME". That
means there will be times when Jesus will be the only company we have down
the road of adversity. But, if our faith rests in Him, He's all we'll need
for the journey.
For the carnal Christian however, Jesus isn't enough. He needs a lot of
people, a lot of noise and the adrenaline rush that only a stampeding herd
can provide...the kind of stimuli and gratification that one finds in
today's "men's movement", "women's movement" and "church-growth movement".
Without the rumble and excitement of a restless herd he simply cannot be
motivated because his heart belongs to them.
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after
their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4)
Related Articles:
Promise Keepers and Ecumenism
http://www.banner.org.uk/pk/pkecu.html
Women of Faith: "Outrageous" or Joy?
http://www.psychoheresy-aware.org/joycon76.html
Re-inventing The Church (Part l)
http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2002/change-agent-1.htm
Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer state and
seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from showbiz in the late
1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important social issues from a
distinctly biblical perspective. Paul Proctor is a writer for the American Reformation
Project and a regular columnist for
Ether Zone.
Paul can be reached by email at
watchman@usa.com