A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 5:30-31
The condition of the land of Judah was so deplorable in God's eyes because the shape of the "church" was so deplorable. It was this fact that showed the impending judgment of God was upon them soon. Of course, we know that the Jews were not called the church at this time, but in our parallel of Jeremiah 5 to today we are investigating the church in America, and there are many ways that the church in the US is in the same condition as believers were in the days of Jeremiah. It is this apostate church that has become ineffective, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Here are a few of the reasons that Jeremiah could not find enough righteous to convince God to hold off His hand of discipline.
False Profession--"And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely." Jeremiah 5:2 Many in the land had a false profession of faith in Yahweh. They claimed "salvation" but did not manifest the fruits of an ongoing relationship with God. Is is not the same here in America? A recent survey of Americans found that 70% believe that they will go to heaven. Furthermore, of those who go to church, many hold to universalism--the idea that all will eventually be saved. Many Born-Again Christians Hold Universalist Views, Barna Finds, Christian News, The Christian Post
Wrong theology-- "They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine:" Jeremiah 5:12 At the core of universalism is an error about God and His attributes. He is seen as so loving that He longs to graciously give heaven to all men regardless of a profession of faith. No matter how sinful men are, a "loving" God would never judge or send men to hell. Ancient Judah could not see that their troubles were sent by God in a loving attempt to bring repentance. Contemporary America is following the same path. We forget that this very loving God is also utterly holy and will not have sin in His presence. He also is a correcting Father who will send judgment. Maybe with the top 10 worst disasters in American history happening in the last two decades, we might ought to see if we have offended His holiness?
False teachers-- "And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them." Jeremiah 5:13 Not only have more cults and false teachings erupted here in America in the last 100 years, but now the church has grown too undiscerning to weed the truth from the error. Judah seems to have had their share of false prophets just as we do here in the US. Find me 10 TV "Evangelists" that plead for the lost to turn to Jesus Christ and the cross on a consistent basis. It will be hard since the majority of teaching is self help, high esteem, get rich and satisfied in this world "preaching".
Sinful ministers-- "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked:" Jeremiah 5:25-28a Part of the message of these verses is still focused on false prophets. Please take notice of the prophets in Jeremiahs day focused on amassing wealth. God was not impressed. He called them wicked men. Is it me, or is it hard to find a preacher who endorses living their faith anymore?
A wrong view of ministry and service-- "... they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge." Jeremiah 5:27b
If all of the preaching is about me--then who is serving the LORD? Who is being a servant to the lost? Who is serving the hurting in the community? Sometimes I think that we should take the word "service" off of a meeting at the church house since very little true service is done there!
A love of sin-- "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so..." Jeremiah 5:30 The people had grown so accustomed to a watered down relationship with God that they could not see that there was not a relationship at all. God was calling for repentance, but they would not heed His call. So HE asks the question, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?"
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False Profession--"And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely." Jeremiah 5:2 Many in the land had a false profession of faith in Yahweh. They claimed "salvation" but did not manifest the fruits of an ongoing relationship with God. Is is not the same here in America? A recent survey of Americans found that 70% believe that they will go to heaven. Furthermore, of those who go to church, many hold to universalism--the idea that all will eventually be saved. Many Born-Again Christians Hold Universalist Views, Barna Finds, Christian News, The Christian Post
False teachers-- "And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them." Jeremiah 5:13 Not only have more cults and false teachings erupted here in America in the last 100 years, but now the church has grown too undiscerning to weed the truth from the error. Judah seems to have had their share of false prophets just as we do here in the US. Find me 10 TV "Evangelists" that plead for the lost to turn to Jesus Christ and the cross on a consistent basis. It will be hard since the majority of teaching is self help, high esteem, get rich and satisfied in this world "preaching".
Sinful ministers-- "Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked:" Jeremiah 5:25-28a Part of the message of these verses is still focused on false prophets. Please take notice of the prophets in Jeremiahs day focused on amassing wealth. God was not impressed. He called them wicked men. Is it me, or is it hard to find a preacher who endorses living their faith anymore?
A wrong view of ministry and service-- "... they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge." Jeremiah 5:27b
If all of the preaching is about me--then who is serving the LORD? Who is being a servant to the lost? Who is serving the hurting in the community? Sometimes I think that we should take the word "service" off of a meeting at the church house since very little true service is done there!
A love of sin-- "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so..." Jeremiah 5:30 The people had grown so accustomed to a watered down relationship with God that they could not see that there was not a relationship at all. God was calling for repentance, but they would not heed His call. So HE asks the question, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?"
Today's news
Man Arrested Outside Calif. DMV for Reading His Bible Out Loud | The Blaze
Church Touts Homosexuality as a Gift, Not a Sin, Christian News, The Christian Post *****
Tennessee Considers Banning Teaching Homosexuality in Elementary Schools - FoxNews.com
Former Obama Adviser Van Jones Helping to Push 'Human' Rights for Mother Nature - FoxNews.com
US: 61% Support Defending Israel - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News
Report: Abbas’ Holocaust-Denial Dissertation Widely-Taught in PA - Politics & Gov't - Israel News - Israel National News
South Tries to Pick Up Pieces as 339 Dead From Tornadoes - FoxNews.com
Kahlon: Annex W. Bank in response to unilateralism
I have seen so much moral decline in the last 50 years that it simply amazes me at how fast it has come down.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teenager I can still remember that even the most decadent sinner had respect for the church and for God. They didn't dare to disrespect the Lord...But now they spit on the very name of Jesus.
Amen to both Notters!
ReplyDeleteThis stood out to me "they overpass the deeds of the wicked:"
So many Pastors have congregations full of people with serious soul problems, that Satan has absolutely bound in sin, and the Pastor is preaching about his latest "feel good,gain confidence and respect book"
In the meantime half of his congregation thinks they are saved when in reality they are on their way to Hell and the Pastor doesn't have a clue.
On the other hand you have the congregation that is sinning without a care in the world banking on the hope that the blood of Jesus will just cover everything up and that a quick prayer will do and holiness is not needed because we are not perfect anyway, so why even try.
It is SO frustrating. But we see Jesus,and I remember the time when I didn't have a clue either and I was just as bad as the rest of them, so there is always hope!
God bless you both,
Gerie