What’s the worst thing affecting Christianity today?
It is the lack of revelation in believers, as they mingle more and more with the world around them. God has called His children to separate from the world and the things of this world.
Why?
We are dust, and get easily drawn away by the company we keep and society we live in. Once you are born again, as a believer you are called to walk Godly. It’s a new life, we are a new creation. We operate under a completely new law - the law of Love, God’s amazing Love.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15 KJV)
Everything we ever did before we knew Christ needs to be renewed. Friendships, Family, Workplace, every area of life that we are present must be approached in the light of the Word of God. Even your time alone!
What does that mean? Not I, but Christ must be found in me.
What is this Love for the world?
Love for the world refers to dependence on one’s own abilities (pride of life). When we rely on our own significant contributions to the world around us, we have already placed ourselves on the pedestal of pride and self-glory. This was a natural to us before we knew Jesus. Today, as believers it isn’t about me or what I have done. It’s all about Him and all He has already done as my Loving Saviour.
Love for the world refers to imitating worldly people, by giving the glory to man instead of God. God raises men and women of God around the world according to His time. Many are popular, most are not. Those who are famous are lauded and remembered for their eloquence and convictions. God is forgotten, even though the lauding and remembering is done in the name of God. It’s a subtle spirit of comparison that places a person above others because of how God used them, making other preachers and bastions of biblical truth as those who lack necessary knowledge or wisdom. Rather than focusing on the message, the carnal nature creeps in to focus on the messenger. Instead of focusing on what God is telling through them, the focus is on “what a great man he or she was”. When the person dies, the grief turns into hopelessness. That should not be!
A Killer of Christians became A preacher of Christ by direct revelation
Apostle Paul used to kill Christians. Even today there are people killing christians across the world for just believing in Jesus. It’s only increasing. His personal encounter with God transformed him completely. From a killer, he turned into an apostle preaching the very gospel he killed Christians for. When he received his salvation, became a born again believer, he did not consult with man, but was taught by the revelation of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:12). He was sure what he was doing was for God, till he met the resurrected Jesus who opened his eyes to reveal the true meaning of scripture.
First Apostle Peter by revelation preached to Gentiles
Peter, while praying, by revelation (Acts 10:28,34,35,42), received a deeper understanding that the gospel of Jesus was now open to (Gentiles) non believers. That it should be preached to all of mankind because Jesus did not die and rise again only for the Jews, or Christians, but also for the rest of the world. All those who repent, confess and believe Jesus as the ONLY way, the truth and life, will be known to God as true believers.
Cornelius was a man of the world, but loved God, even though he did not know the true God. God revealed Himself to humble Cornelius through Peter. Why? Cornelius had a diligent prayer life.
The Word of God reveals much to any seeking Christian from the devotion of Cornelius. His life is also a revelation of how God does his ministry in His time, without believers having to make an unnecessary fuss about it.
It’s always all about Christ, not the Christian
Instead of relying on God to lead us by revelation for His ministry or work, most Christians are trying their best to attract people to Christ. That’s a recipe for failure, at least for the one who does it.
I’ve often mentioned earlier, Christian Music is become more performance based. We are seeing long-time so-called “worship” leaders walking away from Christ. Why? Somewhere in the journey they made it all about themselves rather than Jesus. Made it about their skills, doctorates, intellect, etc.
Let God reveal to you
Hearing from God directly is a must for every believer. God can reveal in several ways, either His Word, or direct Word in your heart (which confirms with the Word), or vision or prophesy or gifts of the Holy Spirit. Whatever, you will know when you know.
Online media and most of "Spiritual TV" continue to damage weak believers. These believers grow in zeal, but without the knowledge of Christ. Their repentance does not lead them into the 2 Corinthians 7:11 experience.
For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:11)
Instead they are led into believing fancy, eloquent speakers and wordsmiths who manipulate with their passionate displays.
The Bible is a miraculous Book of books revealed to writers inspired by the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit inspires and reveals the truth of the Word as born again believers meditate on it everyday.
As the verse above reveals, we need to carefully preserve our salvation experience, be holy, hate sinful natures, fear God, passionately live for Him, be zealous in ministering, and avenge all disobedience in our own lives by obeying the Word of God. It is time for all believers to awake to righteousness and holiness and walk in revelation and wisdom of God alone.