The Current State of Christianity

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Have you seen the unity of the faith?

  • Yes

    Votes: 4 57.1%
  • No

    Votes: 3 42.9%

  • Total voters
    7

Small Fish

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We find there is so many ideas concerning our spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You hardly find two people seeing eye to eye on the majority of what we know as the Word of God. Christianity these days seem more like the confusion of the tower of Babel than the Lighthouse that it suppose to be. How can this be? Is God then the author of confusion? Or have He left us behind in our own wallow?

In Jeremiah 8:20-22 God asked
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?


Why is Christianity in such a bad condition? We are the laughing stock of the world. And I don't blame the outsider for shaking his head at the Christian world. The Christians today are a defeated people. They are no different than the outsider, sometimes worse with the additional label of hypocrite. Where is the holiness? Where is the victory? We are a far cry from when the church started on the day of Pentecost in the upper room. The days of Ananias and Sapphira. I wonder who produces more Atheists, the Christians or the unbelievers?

Yet all claims to be saved. We argue and deny the Word, we think we know better. Let's not even mention the disgraces that we find in our churches right up to the leaders. Adultery, greed, homosexuality. Pastors that cheat with congregants wife's, deacons that are married two, three times. The Church used to be pure and Holy. Now look at her. What will Jesus say if He returns today? Where has the standard gone too. Aren't we disgracing His name instead of Glorifying it?

Would it be as He said in Luke 18:8
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Are we really ready?

I don't think so.... I believe this is what God thinks of us,
Revelation 3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of 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 lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

There will be no Rapture if there is no unity in faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. But as many people I come across, so many people have different Ideas. So is it only me or is there something wrong with this picture? Where have we gone wrong?

Ephisians 4:10-17 Says
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind

This is pretty fundamental and to be honest, it's loud and clear. So, is it the Word of God that is wrong or are we being deceived?

How do you think that you are right? How do we come to that conclusion? Obviously we cannot save ourselves but surely we should have the fruit meet for repentance. Because I don't see it. Am I wrong?
 

Mjh29

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We find there is so many ideas concerning our spiritual walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. You hardly find two people seeing eye to eye on the majority of what we know as the Word of God. Christianity these days seem more like the confusion of the tower of Babel than the Lighthouse that it suppose to be. How can this be? Is God then the author of confusion? Or have He left us behind in our own wallow?

In Jeremiah 8:20-22 God asked
20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me.
22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?


Why is Christianity in such a bad condition? We are the laughing stock of the world. And I don't blame the outsider for shaking his head at the Christian world. The Christians today are a defeated people. They are no different than the outsider, sometimes worse with the additional label of hypocrite. Where is the holiness? Where is the victory? We are a far cry from when the church started on the day of Pentecost in the upper room. The days of Ananias and Sapphira. I wonder who produces more Atheists, the Christians or the unbelievers?

Yet all claims to be saved. We argue and deny the Word, we think we know better. Let's not even mention the disgraces that we find in our churches right up to the leaders. Adultery, greed, homosexuality. Pastors that cheat with congregants wife's, deacons that are married two, three times. The Church used to be pure and Holy. Now look at her. What will Jesus say if He returns today? Where has the standard gone too. Aren't we disgracing His name instead of Glorifying it?

Would it be as He said in Luke 18:8
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Are we really ready?

I don't think so.... I believe this is what God thinks of us,
Revelation 3:14-22
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of 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 lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

There will be no Rapture if there is no unity in faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. But as many people I come across, so many people have different Ideas. So is it only me or is there something wrong with this picture? Where have we gone wrong?

Ephisians 4:10-17 Says
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind

This is pretty fundamental and to be honest, it's loud and clear. So, is it the Word of God that is wrong or are we being deceived?

How do you think that you are right? How do we come to that conclusion? Obviously we cannot save ourselves but surely we should have the fruit meet for repentance. Because I don't see it. Am I wrong?

I agree, and believe athat it all goes back to Christians not having a backbone enough to tell one another when they are wrong. If you can be proven wrong from Scriptures, dont cling onto a false ideal; make that change. Only when there is at least a shred of unity in major doctrines like who is christ? Or do we save ourselves? Only when we have a biblically grounded answer and say " This is what a christian believes" can we have unity.
 

VictoryinJesus

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Why is Christianity in such a bad condition? We are the laughing stock of the world. And I don't blame the outsider for shaking his head at the Christian world. The Christians today are a defeated people.

He said to beware for the false prophets would come in.
 
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Mjh29

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He said to beware for the false prophets would come in.
How are we to discern falsehood when we cant even agree on the Truth?

I am speaking of major core christian beliefs, not smaller, less meaningful doctrines

I agree though, falsehood has invaded the Church like a plague.
 
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Willie T

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How do I think that I am right? How do I come to that conclusion? Obviously we cannot save ourselves but surely we should have the fruit meet for repentance. Because I don't see it. Am I wrong?
I would only change three words you wrote. (I bolded them in your quote above.) And that is simply because I, like you, think I am the one who reads God's word correctly. Perhaps as soon as each one of us admits we are looking at others more than we examine ourselves (and work at changing THAT), things may get better.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Yes true. Matthew 24:24 But it looks like every Christian have fallen for this. Who has not? Who has truth?

God is truth. Every man is a liar, including me. Don't eat of strange flesh and be cautious of any fire called down from heaven(ask for what purpose is this fire called down? to satisfy who or what?) He said the saints would be wore out and overcome. We have a thorn in the flesh. Good news: when we are weak(the saints), we are strong.
 

VictoryinJesus

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“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)
 

Small Fish

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“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4)
And who would you say are the ones doing this? Is it happening now or in the future?
 

Small Fish

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How are we to discern falsehood when we cant even agree on the Truth?

I am speaking of major core christian beliefs, not smaller, less meaningful doctrines

I agree though, falsehood has invaded the Church like a plague.
Now the question should be, where is the unity that the Scripture speaks of here? Is it out there somewhere in among a small group of people? Is it still to happen in the future? Is it one person here and one person there?

It is the Word of God, it's a Seed, it must come to pass. So where is it?
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Now the question should be, where is the unity that the Scripture speaks of here? Is it out there somewhere in among a small group of people? Is it still to happen in the future? Is it one person here and one person there?

It is the Word of God, it's a Seed, it must come to pass. So where is it?

Who fatally wounded the head? Who is the only one able to fatally wound the head?? Who is the only one with the power to cause(inflict) a wound like that? Not man. he should be dead, but he revived and the world marveled at his rise to power and rule...when he should be dead.

Revelation 13:3
[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
 
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VictoryinJesus

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Do we marvel at who is in control, when it shouldn't be so? Some questions then:
Man is not able to overcome the flesh on his own.
How is the "Head" wounded fatally but heals and rises up unto power before the nations? it(the wound) is more profound than a gun shot to the head or whatever we say man can do.
And they follow the beast? Deceived. What deceives? the flesh. what wear us out...the flesh. Calamity. It causes us to accept all kinds of lies we would rather embrace instead of truth.
Esau sold his birthright for a morsel of meat.
Satan tempted Jesus with the "glory" of the kingdoms and the power of those kingdoms. The glory and power of all those kingdoms(Satan's kingdom's) are nothing when set next to God's power(God's kingdom which is Spirit). And we look and we will say: that is the one that deceived the nations? God said: even His foolishness is wiser than man's greatest wisdom(and glory). Why would God desire to be clothed with the power and glory of all those kingdoms Satan tempted Him with. (a morsel of meat). Jesus Christ (The Son) was to be clothed with power and majesty from on high...not of those kingdom(s) with man's glory(which is cast into the oven)...but with GOD the father's glory and power. See, how it aligns: do we desire to clothed with the power and glory of all the corrupt kingdoms, or do we desire to be clothed with the incorruptible power and glory from on High? Jesus did not come for the glory and power of those kingdoms but rather to break into pieces the power and glory of those kingdoms.
BUT man's power and glory which was crucified on the cross and was fatally wounded in its head … the Dragon, Satan, beasts, Anti-Christ was revived and is wearing out and overcoming the saints. That old man rose up and is in control, driven by the head(little head) of it all...that which is against Christ. Do we desire the flesh...or do we the desire the Spirit?

Again because it is significant: “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4) ….only GOD who became flesh can make war with him.
 
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Episkopos

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There will come a time where "official" Christianity will be proven to be false...and "unofficial" or spontaneous Christianity will be proven as true. Given any amount of time, people will get things wrong. But the initial spark is right...and from the Lord. What He starts, however, gets easily sidetracked as we add in our false assumptions...assumptions that have become as doctrine, so that sound doctrine is seen as quite strange. All this was prophesied...just read the book of Hosea.

Why are we so easily misled?

We are still thinking as the world thinks. Our thinking is far from drastic enough in kingdom terms. And this, even when we have a real fellowship together. The same goes for our quick conclusions regarding the new birth in Christ and practically everyone thinks that's it....we're saved now. The race is over. But the race has just begun. The new birth is a calling...not a choosing. We need to run in a way that we are approved of God. So then we have the scale of requirements from God WAY off.

What gets in the way is habit, culture, opinion, ego....just to name a few things. We are looking at this from a human perspective rather than seeing what God wants.

But there is a kind of love that brings everything into One. Just as there is a kind of faith that does the same.

So then we are looking for authenticity. But we need to look a lot deeper at what the gospel really is all about.
 
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Enoch111

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Why is Christianity in such a bad condition?
There are a multitude of factors which have contributed to this, and we are seeing a departure from the faith, from the true Gospel, and Bible truth (sound doctrine). It has been in progress since the 19th century.
The Christians today are a defeated people.
You cannot paint all Christians with this broad brush. Many are defeated but many are not. You would not know in any event, since only God knows this.
 

Episkopos

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There are a multitude of factors which have contributed to this, and we are seeing a departure from the faith, from the true Gospel, and Bible truth (sound doctrine). It has been in progress since the 19th century.

You cannot paint all Christians with this broad brush. Many are defeated but many are not. You would not know in any event, since only God knows this.


This is true. But there is a real barrier to coming together in the unity of the Spirit nonetheless.

I met a brother yesterday and we spent a full 9 hours fellowshipping in the Lord. A great brother. He told me of a brother that he knows that he lives next door to..they have been the closest of friends for 20+ years...they hang out together and pray together...(he is a strong Christian like the man I met and the one that actually led him to the Lord)...but they go to different churches on Sunday morning.

To me, that shows the problem right there. They make a distinction between (and separated) a close fellowship with what church is. When that happens we get this artificiality about what coming together in the Lord is all about.
 
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Willie T

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This is true. But there is a real barrier to coming together in the unity of the Spirit nonetheless.

I met a brother yesterday and we spent a full 9 hours fellowshipping in the Lord. A great brother. He told me of a brother that he knows that he lives next door to..they have been the closest of friends for 20+ years...they hang out together and pray together...(he is a strong Christian like the man I met and the one that actually led him to the Lord)...but they go to different churches on Sunday morning.

To me, that shows the problem right there. They make a distinction between (and separated) a close fellowship with what church is. When that happens we get this artificiality about what coming together in the Lord is all about.
Is it "artificiality?" The Vineyard, the church I call 'home', concentrates on a healing ministry. A church we visited recently is focused mainly on day-to-day evangelism. Further still, the Baptist church I grew up in is geared mainly to missionary work. And others still, direct most of their energies to probably other areas of concentration.

Is this artificiality?
 

Episkopos

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Is it "artificiality?" The Vineyard, the church I call 'home', concentrates on a healing ministry. A church we visited recently is focused mainly on day-to-day evangelism. Further still, the Baptist church I grew up in is geared mainly to missionary work. And others still, direct most of their energies to probably other areas of concentration.

Is this artificiality?


I saw this advert for a church that supposedly is modeled on Acts 2. Really? And what do they do that resembles the major revival that kickstarted the faith on Earth?

They hold to the doctrine of tongues.

That's it.

And doing this compares with the power exhibited in Acts?

Really.

The problem, as I see it, is what we claim is exaggerated...and the actual content is so much less than what God expects of us. We can point to what we are doing...but what are we leaving undone?