By Paul Proctor
Taken from NewsWithViews.com(April 27, 2011) with written permission
Source: http://cetf.co/iAAwJY
The command from Jesus was so simple:
Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature - Mark 16:15.
How complicated is that?
The world is right outside our door; and yet, look at the "church" today and what those claiming to be His disciples and witnesses are actually conveying to that world just in the latest headlines alone:
Church Sucks' But Come Anyway?
Many Born-Again Christians Hold Universalist Views
Utah church offers free Korans in Easter gesture
Worst place to Celebrate Easter Is in Church, Says Pastor
Nashville-area church offers drive-thru prayer
Church's 'Dance Your Shoes Off' video goes viral
Survey Reveals Decade-Long 'Erosion' of Traditional U.S. Congregations
Church Touts Homosexuality as a Gift, Not a Sin
'A Massive Shift Coming in What it Means to Be a Christian"
Is it any wonder there is so much confusion about Who Jesus is, what He did and what He taught and that so many frustrated Bible believers are wandering from church to church these days looking for someone to simply preach it and teach it as it is written?
It's as if church and staff have become desperately bored with the Bible and are so afraid that the world will be likewise that they must try anything and everything imaginable to get more attention and attendance in a noisy, jaded and wicked world.
I continue to be both saddened and disturbed by how many professional Christians there are today who are more interested in advancing their own ministries and agendas than they are the Word of God and frankly, it shows because far too many spend their time and effort talking about we, me and mine promoting and defending themselves, their feelings, their visions and their experiences with one another, week in and week out, rather than contending for the faith with Bible in heart and hand cf. Jude 1:3.
Every day brings another storm another hurricane another tornado another flood another earthquake another tsunami another disaster another tragedy another invasion another war more disease more drought more depravity more beatings more deaths more failures more thievery more injustice more perversion more lies and deceit ever increasing in frequency and severity.
What will it take for us to once again fear God, believe and repent in humility and faith?
The world is spinning out of control and starving for answers to the issues of life while the touchy-feely go-along-to-get-along "church" in all its biblical ignorance and apathy exchanges flattery and praise for one another with hearts and mouths full of silly songs, sayings and slogans from serpentine salesmen that have no power and never saved anyone.
Do we come to church to relate to and party with people like ourselves or to hear and obey the Word of Someone Who is nothing like us?
Do we even know? Are we really sure?
Time is running out!
The Great Commission has not changed since it was given even though the so-called "church" and its hirelings have. What would the Old Testament prophets say to us today if we could hear them?
What would the Apostles from the New Testament say if they were still with us?
More importantly what is our Just and Holy God saying to us right now?
Look around look in the mirror and then look in your Bible for answers that is, if you really want to know what they are. They've been there all along.
Do we still believe Jesus, who said:
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me"? - Matthew 10:37-38.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen - Matthew 28:19-20.
The Great Commission has not changed since it was given even though the so-called "church" and its hirelings have.
© 2011 Paul Proctor - All Rights Reserved
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. As a freelance writer and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com, he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.
