Let's be honest...American Christianity is rarely Christlike.

[Anjelly]

In my opinion, 

They are being taught that the 10 commandments doesn’t matter anymore and it was nailed at the cross therefore it does not matter. That’s what I believe is the reason.

also churches are not spiritually feeding the people. Most do not teach bible prophecy and do not provide solid bible truths on sin.

also most Christians watch television that promote sinfulness and by beholding your become changed same with music as well. 

 

[TheBlade]

well praise GOD glory to Jesus thats not how He sees us for this can be said about each of us. Now.. ask the Father how HE sees us..sees the Church in America. Your going to be shocked. Christ died.. rose AMEN!

If this is just about those that SAY they believe .. well I can't answer this. As easy as it would to judge based on flesh this is not what the Father does.  In the end.. I  don't look at what others are doing its what am I doing for Him.. my Father.

[SimonB]

On 2/2/2020 at 12:37 PM, hishandmaiden said:

Sin is hated by God

Yes I alway wonder how people rationalise their behaviour away.

IF something is described as an abomination to God how could it suddenly not still be an abomination?

 

[BeauJangles]

Does anyone remember the "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper stickers?

That's when folks honked their horn at you that didn't absolutely hate your guts for being on the road. 

[branchesofHim]

On 5/18/2020 at 5:43 PM, BeauJangles said:

Does anyone remember the "Honk if you love Jesus" bumper stickers?

That's when folks honked their horn at you that didn't absolutely hate your guts for being on the road. 

LOL. Good point. Shalom.

[Heleadethme]

On 12/9/2019 at 9:22 PM, Coliseum said:

Another sad statistic is approximately 80% men and 30% women are into porn in average churches today. But I suppose lying, being angry or harboring bitterness, being unforgiving, gluttony, and an infinite number of others, define the Christian as well. Paul said, "Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." (Romans 7:20)  We experience it every waking hour, in our thought-life, in our words, and in our actions. Even our prayer life is tainted with sin. Whoever says they don't sin is a liar and the truth is not in them. We believe we can do all the maintenance instead of simply resting in Christ. 

It is amazing that the percentage of Christians you named are generally considered cultural Christians, and about 30% of those are born again. We have become "scolds." We think too much about ourselves and our unworthiness instead of Christ and his worthiness. We are too much of the time telling others what they shouldn't do instead of being more concerned with praying for them. Instead of tenderness, and real concern, our words have grown empty with condemnation. One thing beautiful about Jesus: he knew how to judge without being condemning. Jesus knew how to gently confront those who were contrite and humble, and he knew how to be blisteringly honest with those on their own pedestal. For me personally, I have seen, been a part of, and sadly participate in, too many things regarding self, needing to be right, and demanding that my argument is a more meritorious one. 

Until I am perfect, I have no rights. Jesus was given every right, yet gave them all up so that he could be wronged---and he was wronged plenty. I am filled with gratitude that I am a Christian today in this hurting world. I fear that it could be harder today than past to become one. Jesus said, "Will I find faith when I return," and also, "And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 10:24:10-13

"The love of many will grow cold." Do you suppose we are beginning to experience these kinds of things today? God is speaking to us---Christians! 

Thanks brother for your introspection. 

Except that this is not a thread about judging others, it's a thread about the sad condition the church is in today, and why (due in part to being fed a milque-toast gospel).  So, back to the subject....is the church in a condition of apostasy or not?  Anybody with breath in their body and eyes in their head should be able to see that it is in an appalling state of apostasy......except unfortunately those who are in it are not able to see it.

[Coliseum]

23 minutes ago, Heleadethme said:

Except that this is not a thread about judging others, it's a thread about the sad condition the church is in today, and why (due in part to being fed a milque-toast gospel).  So, back to the subject....is the church in a condition of apostasy or not?  Anybody with breath in their body and eyes in their head should be able to see that it is in an appalling state of apostasy......except unfortunately those who are in it are not able to see it.

You are right. Why did you pick a thread written six months ago? You throw lots of darts, and then say, "Except that this is not a thread about judging others..." Why?

Edited May 20, 2020 by Coliseum

[Justin Adams]

Whenever I post info about the church beginning about AD 150. It gets dissed by the 'establishment' members that have been well indoctrinated in a supernatural kindergarten kind of way. This demise has its seeds way way back when.

To have a thorough supernatural worldview, I am afraid Augustine, Darby and many of the reformers got it all out of kilter.

People in the pews seem to be treated as if they were dumb. If they dare question, they are asked to check their brains in at the door. No corporation would have any of this illogical talk that we are supposed to take in from the poor pastor or leader that themselves have been poorly taught. It is a comedy (not funny) of parochial errors.

Apostasy has been the norm and the few bright sparks from the Holy Spirit down thru the ages have been dealt with harshly to say the least.

In my limited experience, a time of soul searching and repentance seems to allow God to move. Problem is, the moment He does, we have this urge to quantify it and make yet another sect. What is going on in TN right now could be another such reawakening. An awakening of people (not God) to their plight and begging for a repentant miracle once again.

"Behold the Lord's hand is no so short that is cannot save, neither is His ear deaf that it cannot hear. But your iniquity has made a separation from you and your God..."

[Alive]

THe first verse describes in detail what the Church is and the following verses tell us a lot about who we are.

Eph. 1:22   And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, ²³ which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

 

Eph. 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

 

Eph. 2:4   But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.

[Coliseum]

2 minutes ago, Roar said:

Many "Christians" are not well versed in either the Bible or the Total History of the Christian Church. To be very frank many do not want to know the whole truth. One can tell by their reactions to the "TRUTH" when it is stated to then. Rather than research to find out if someone's statements are true are not you get knee jerk recitations of their denominations theology and not well thought out reasoned thought. There are a number of layers to scripture from which you can learn. What percent ever get past the Sunday spoon feeding to actually see how deep they can go?

Personally I like using the The New Testament from 26 Translations as just a start to understanding verses in the New Testament and using the Septuagint to assist with the Old Testament. I find using different translations and comparing them very enlightening for daily Bible reading. 

Most of what you said has merit, but to place the word "Christians" in quotes as if to suggest others are not as genuine is not my business. It is God's. What you know in Scripture will differ from what I and everyone else knows. That is what is beautiful about God's Word. I cannot, nor would not ever want to think that I must check boxes to be as "good" as someone else in order to qualify to be a Christian. Those who are saved are saved by faith whether they have the faith of a mustard seed or someone with a more valiant one. So I am happy for you that you infer possessing greater knowledge, who excels "Sunday spoon feeding," who apparently does not make "knee jerk recitations," who understands the "number of layers" in the Word of God. This is a wonderful gift---one that I might choose to keep to myself. God bless.