There is such a thing as 'religion without power.' It is not a nice thing to see, but it pleases most church goers and ministers today. Religion is the big thing in town, despite the fact that only about 6% attend any place of worship in the UK once a month. The real percentage is probably much lower.
Religion without power suits most church people today. Thankfully, there are those who know the difference between mechanical worship and Spirit-filled and Spirit-led worship. But most do not. I visited what used to be one of the best evangelical churches in Belfast, NI, quite recently, imagining, in my naivety, that it would still be along the same evangelical and reformed lines that I had known it to be. What I discovered on entering the church sanctuary was to see at the front of the church building a drum kit, surrounded by all the usual paraphernalia of worldly worship within 21st century evangelicalism.
But this suits church people well. It attracts the younger people, so we are told, and keeps them within the church. It offers 'religion without power.' It keeps people in a dwindling church-attending society, on board - at least temporarily. But it is 'religion without power.'
Paul 'complained' about powerless religion and powerless preaching when he visited Corinth, and conceded that you can have such a thing a Spiritless preaching. Preaching that is devoid of spiritual power. Genuine Spirit-filled Christians are aware that this is the norm within many churches today, and loathe it. They know that there is no point in bringing this unacceptable situation to the eldership because they will be told that this is how it is being done, and that's that! The leadership does not give a toss about how God is worshipped, or about the presence of powerless religion in their midst. They have forgotten that this is being done under their watch, and one day they will give account to the Lord of how they exercised their ministries.
Why does 'religion without power' suit most church people today? Well, the answer is not hard to find. It does not face them up with their spiritual responsibilities to God and before God. It does not challenge the way they live their lives, nor does it challenge the way the church conducts her affairs. It allows people to live as they please, to worship in a way that imitates the world, to speak blasphemously if that is how they were brought up by their parents to speak, to curse and to swear to their heart's content, to use the coarsest language imaginable, and to do as much harm to genuine believers and to the cause of the Gospel of which they are capable. They can enjoy their positions within the church, because there is no power of God present to convict them of their godlessness. And so on the list could go. But I think you get the general picture.
'Religion without power.' The only alternative to such an ecclesiastical perversion is religion that is infused with Spiritual power and presence. Unless the Spirit of God comes upon the churches very soon, there will be nothing but a hint of biblical Christianity left. God's people have been crying out for the revival of genuine religion in our land, but God does not seem to hear their cries! Why not? because despite their orthodox cries for God to pour put His blessings upon the church, in their heart of hearts they do not want anything to change. They want God to come, but without bringing changes to their comfortable religious lifestyle. This is not going to happen! The church needs to 'waken up and smell the coffee,' to coin a phrase,because time is running out. She must put in lace whatever changes are needed, and that right early. For until she sees the depth of the need and how offensive she is to Almighty God, He will continue to turn His face from her, and let her wallow in the mire.
Until this happens, many poor deluded church people will continue to be the willing victims of 'religion without power.'
No comments:
Post a Comment