Recognizing the Bad in the Churches
Rev.2 and 3.
It is easy for us all to accept praises from persons around us or from God (through a prophetic word), for the things we have done that is good, or well, or right, but it is hard for us to admit when we are wrong and to take corrective measures.
All of us have faults (this includes the church) and it is the word of God which will expose and highlight these faults in us. The question is will we admit to these failings or sins, repent and then make amends?
Rev.2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left they first love.
(5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works.(seek ye first the kingdom of God…..)
(14) But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to comit fornication.
(20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth hereself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
Rev.3:2 Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art luke warm, and neither cold or hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.
For God is no respector of persons, and so He will remove men and women of God or even the whole church if we refuse to repent and do the right things. Rev.2:5
We have learnt to use the word of God to threaten persons into silence and thereby maintaining the status quo. Christians who get into quarrels are sometimes heard using the blood of Jesus as a weapon against each other!
Father, it is very sad that the pulpit has become a place not unlike our Jamaican parliment, a place where cursing of persons take place, a place where persons feel imune to chastisment, a place where persons think that they are beyond reproach, simply because they are men and women of God.
For many will hear in that hour :- depart from Me I know you not! There is still time to repent, so we pray that the hearts of stone will become hearts of flesh in Jesus’ name, amen.