I remember a time in society when using provocative language on television or in public was forbidden and frowned upon. There was a time when living a life of same-gender attraction was forbidden and looked down upon. I remember a time in society when profanity was not accepted and frowned upon in the house of God, in public, or on television. I remember when people dressed up to go to church and entered the sanctuary with a spirit of fear and reverence for God. I remember when people could not eat or drink in the sanctuary during church service. I remember when women were not allowed to wear sleeveless tops, short skirts/dresses, or pants in church. I remember when Christians did not attend nightclubs or bars, dancing and drinking with the world to secular music. I remember when it was a disgrace for girls to get pregnant before marriage. I remember when it was a disgrace for men and women to live together out of wedlock. Oh, how I do remember.
Today I see the church dancing to secular music inside the sanctuary, with no reverence for God. I see Bishops consuming alcohol in restaurants. I see spiritual leaders provocatively dancing in public like the world. I see men and women living together out of wedlock. I see women having babies out of wedlock. I see commercials promoting same-gender relationships. I see the church embracing homosexuality. I see people using provocative language in church and on television. I see women dressing like men and men dressing like women. I see people drinking coffee and whatever in the church during services. I see people eating in the church. I see women dressed like harlots in the church. I see bishops marrying and divorcing. I remember when brothers and sisters of Christ held each other accountable. Two or three witnesses established everything. I remember when my pastor would publicly rebuke and make us apologize to the church for open sin, and he would quickly restore us.
Oh, how I do remember.
I see the church falling away from the truth as in: “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7). “If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers” (Timothy 1:6-9). “And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mark 11:17). “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:10). “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:26-32). “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deut 22:5). “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (I Timothy 2:9-10). “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (I Timothy 5:20). “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2). “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established” (2 Corinthians 13:1).
The church is now beginning to experience the “falling away”. The falling away in Greek is defined as “apostasía” which means defection from truth, a falling away, or to forsake the truth. The bible scriptures are coming to life right before our very eyes. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;...
Oh, how I do remember. All I ask, if you ever see me out of order and disobeying the word of God, I beg of you to please rebuke me, and call me back to order that I may repent. Whatever you do, please do not allow me to fall away from the truth.
Dr. G
Praying
Comments