I FEAR FOR THIS generation of Christians. It is a lukewarm, apathetic of their sin, “I can do what I want”, apostate, forsaking the gathering, unwilling to obey their spiritual authority, naked, blind, and wretched generation of so-called believers. These that claim Him have lives that look just like the world. They love to party and get drunk, they do what the world does and love what the world loves. They fear the reproach of man more than they fear the Lord. They idolize self and the opinions of others. These mock the righteous and side with the wicked. They celebrate sin and condemn those vying for the truth. They forsake the gathering of the brethren consistently and reject those teaching sound doctrine.
Our calling in Christ is to follow Him “outside the camp”, to come out of the world and be holy, different and peculiar. Our lives should stand in stark contrast to those of the world. We will be hated by all for His name. We will be mocked and despised as He was. When we take up the cross and follow Him, we will suffer. I saw a post the other day and some guy bought a bill board to ask people to text one word to a cell number of what they thought about Christians.
First mistake, asking the world what they think about you. He then made public all the words people texted, most of which were negative. Why should this surprise you? Aren’t we told, “if they called the Master Beelzebub, they will call you worse.” Why are you shocked when others hate you when you stand up for righteousness? Peter gives us a clear explanation, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” I Peter 4:14-16 NKJV
Christians who hold firmly to the Word of God instead of the world, will be despised. When we proclaim righteousness and scream, “Do not do this sinful thing! Do not go the way of destruction! Come be made a new creation in Christ”, they will hate us and call us names.
However, there’s never an excuse to be unkind or rude. As Peter tells us, if you suffer as an evil doer, then shame on you. It reflects poorly on Christ and His followers who are called by the same name. To follow Him outside the camp is to walk in honesty and integrity, it is bless your enemies, forgive when you are injured, to not retaliate or seek retribution but seek reconciliation, to give generously, love, serve and give; but most importantly to be faithful to the One you follow. If you “love” without proclaiming righteousness; it is demonic love.
The love we are to give others is holy, pure and true. Stop allowing the world to redefine love. A Christian above all is faithful to Christ, faithful to obey His Word, faithful to the church, faithful to contend for the faith…faithful, faithful, faithful, fruitful. Then, if they speak bad about you, it is to the glory of the Lord. You would do well to not idolize the opinions of men, but rather seek to please God.
This is the call of Jesus. Repent and come out of the world! The time is short. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.””II Corinthians 6:14-18 NKJV#runyourrace
To Learn More About Pastor Crystal please visit the Leadership Page
