Is Christianity Morality Plummeting?

It amazes me how so many people in church today seem to believe that because we are flesh we will always indulge in sin. There is nothing biblical about this thought, it doesn't come from the word of God, nor from the Spirit of God. For this to be taught, one has to disregard what the scriptures teaches. Romans 6:1 asked the question, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” The answer within the text is God forbid, how can we who are dead to sin live any longer therein. For those of you who say, “that is the opinion of that crazy Apostle Paul,” understand Paul was not the founder of righteous living. The idea actually started when God said in Leviticus 11:44, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy.” This concept has always been. It's the whole purpose of redemption, that God might have a people who are set apart from the heathen who worship themselves as idols and live by the law, “do what thou wilt.” Peter recognizes this as a teaching for the New Testament church in 1st Peter 1:16. People seem to forget that we are spirit, flesh, and soul. We are not just flesh. When our spirit man comes alive through faith by the Holy Spirit we take on the nature of the Holy one in whom we serve. Jesus stated it like this, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:1-8).

The reason sanctification, holiness, and righteousness seems to be such an unreachable goal is because we've managed to make it a religious effort. Religion is when man depends on himself to rectify or fulfill a spiritual void that only the Creator God can fill. Faith in the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob does not take anything but faith in Jesus Christ. This faith brings about a rebirthing. The rebirth in which Jesus spoke of in John chapter 3. We cannot within our own power be righteous nor can we be saved. Ephesians 2:8 makes this very clear, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Salvation comes via grace or revelation that causes us to believe by faith. Faith is an action word, so it speaks to our responding to the revelation of the Kingdom of God.

These days it seem people aren't responding to revelation. There is a movement to challenge all that is and has always been the standard of the word of God. This generation is so smart they over analyze the Christian faith, within the “Christian” faith. They challenge doctrine, validity of scripture, the authority of the scripture, and even whether the scriptures are in fact God inspired. How do you call yourself a believer if you doubt everything in which you claim to believe? People have grown up believing they are Christians because they grew up in a Christian church. The Bible says you must be born again, not born in church. If you lived in a garage that doesn't make you a car, just like going to church doesn't make you a Christian. There has to be a conversion, a change of mind, and a rebirth, in order to take on the things of the Kingdom of God. In Paul's writings to the Romans in chapter 8 he shares with them that the carnal mind is death. Meaning there has not been a rebirth by the Spirit of God. He shares in verse 7 that the carnal mind is enmity (The state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to) against God. The scripture says that the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God (which is the law of the Spirit), neither indeed can it be. We see an on slot of people teaching the very opposite of this. Why do we stand by and permit this type of unbiblical heretical teachings to go forth without challenge? Jesus is a “you don't have to be responsible for it” card, he paid the price already. The constant excuse the devil made me do it, is carnality at it worse. Anyone who is carnal is not saved! You may go to church, you may dance and shout, but you are not saved. Salvation is a surrender to the one in who you believe in. Your all is not laid at the altar of sacrifice when you are in constant opposition of God, His word, His will, His standard, and His righteousness.

I'm sure I'm not the only one seeing this, right? It's in the news. Google “Pastor Convictions 2010-2011” and you'll get all kind of crimes that “preachers” have been arrested for. The main thing is molestation and divorce due to adultery. Why is this generation so driven to sex everyone? This is the one consistent thing God said to flee from, “sexual immorality.” Why is this, you may ask? Paul again gives us the answer in I Corinthians 6:18-20 he says because, “Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. What? Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? You are brought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” The basic answer is, you don't belong to yourself! Not even in marriage do you belong to yourself. The argument today is to be your own person, do what is pleasing to you. This is not the way of the followers of Yahweh God. We acknowledge that He created us for himself and that through Jesus Christ we are reconciled unto Him.

Jesus said something that seems to be happening right before our very eyes. Jesus said in Luke 17 that before the Kingdom of God comes He must be rejected of this generation, it will be as the days of Noah, and the days of Lot. This generation rejects Christ like no generation before them. This generation is more wicked than even the generations of Noah and Lot. Why? Because this generation claims to know the God of the Bible and yet they do their wickedness before Him in a prideful manner. The generations of Noah and Lot just rejected Him never claiming to know Him. We are in the last days, the earthquakes, tsumani's, tornadoes, whole species of birds dying, fish dying, perils of times, the world economy failing, children disobedience to parents, men lovers of their pleasure more than lovers of God, and so many other points that I don't have space to name.

Let me encourage you my brother's and sister's in Christ, seek the reward for those who resist temptation, “a crown of life” (James 1:12). Remember Jesus said that if he didn't shorten the days, the very elect would be fooled. Know that Christ is with you and in every situation of temptation he will not put more on you that what you can bear. A finally, in this our, like Noah, Abraham, Enoch, and our Savior Jesus, “STAND OUT” and stand up for the righteousness of God. Remember 2 Timothy 2:19 “Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” In other words those who cleanses, “THEMSELVES”, from wickedness will be instruments for special purpose, made holy, useful to the Master. Strive to be an instrument that God can use even in these days when righteousness seems to be a thing of the past. In all that you do stand!