Not many years ago, a traditional church dropped “Onward Christian Soldiers” from their song list because it made reference to, “War”. That is understandable for people who have never been born again. War, is the last thing on their minds.
So called Peacemakers, meeting in a building which they have convinced themselves to be a church. They are not born of the Spirit, pretending to be spiritual while embracing with open arms the natural world. They are spiritually insensitive because they are spiritually dead, spiritual zombies as the world would say.
Living as one of the world becomes even more disturbing, those that think they are alive but actually are spiritually dead, actually think there is peace between man and GOD. The Bible makes it clear that the unregenerated man is an enemy of GOD. This enemy of GOD, holds himself higher than GOD in his mind, through wicked works and prideful boastings. Anyone who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God:
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to GOD through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:10)
Many within the Church have lost sight of this important truth, something evident by their passive lifestyle. We have become like the Dead Sea. It is dead because it has water flowing into it, but with no outlet. The water has become so salty, a human being can not even sink into it. Nothing lives in it, no one can penetrate it, just like a spiritually dead Church always stuck in the pew, taking in but never distributing unto those that are in need of the Living Water of Jesus Christ.
If the average church made as much noise about GOD on Monday and Thursday, as it makes to GOD on Sunday, we would be in constant revival and increasing regenerated souls unto the Kingdom of GOD not being able to contain them with the walls of our places of worship. Just like the seemingly uselessness of the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea contains very valuable minerals, which are waiting to be harvested. So does the modern Church. It is a field which is white unto harvest, both for souls and for laborers, but like the Dead Sea there seems to be no way out for the Word of GOD to prosper in the unwillingness of a body of so-called believers that are too lazy to move out of their comfort zone.
Perhaps much of the Church needs to consider dropping “Onward Christian Soldiers” also, replacing it with something more appropriate song, appealing to those pretending to be the children of GOD. Showing none of the attributes associated with one that has been given the commission to, “GO OUT” unto the whole world preaching and teaching this lost, dead world that we all have to live in until the return of our King:
Backward Christian Soldiers
Backward Christian Soldiers,
fleeing from the fight
With the Cross of Jesus,
nearly out of sight.
Christ our rightful master,
stands against the foe
But forward into battle,
we are loathe to go.
Like a mighty turtle,
moves the Church of God
Brothers we are treading,
where we have always trod.
Divided in the faith,
many encouraging grateful flattery
Having many doctrines,
stationary with not much charity.
Crowns and thorns may perish,
kingdoms rise and wane
But the Church of Jesus,
hidden does remain.
Gates of Hell should never,
rise against the Church to prevail
We have Christ’s own promise,
but think that it will fail.
Sit here all ye people,
join our useless throng
Blend with ours,
your voices in this feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort,
ask from Christ the King
With our modern thinking,
we live by grace not compelled to do a thing.
(Written by Bishop J.D. Sparks – 2013)
Are you on fire for God?
Can you say that you have witnessed to more than 52 people in the last 52 weeks?
Do we have a testimony that resounds, opportunities for Christ?
Is there a zeal to witness, burning in our bones?
It does not matter how much you pray, tithe, or even sacrifice, which are the basics of your Christian faith. If you are not sharing that faith, you are not fulfilling your commission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto every creature throughout the world. Not sharing your faith is like unto the survivors of the Titanic, singing songs as you polish the brass in the lifeboat, when there is room for so many who are drowning around you.
While here is nothing wrong with polishing brass, you do not get your polishing rag out while people are drowning all around you instead of throwing them a life line. We are Commissioned Soldiers, Officers in the Military of GOD. True Christianity is not a pleasure-cruiser on its way to Heaven, although it is a Battleship fortified with the Whole Armor of GOD sailing the most powerful Battle Group, stationed at the very gates of Hell.
Bishop J.D. Sparks Touching Heaven Ministries
So called Peacemakers, meeting in a building which they have convinced themselves to be a church. They are not born of the Spirit, pretending to be spiritual while embracing with open arms the natural world. They are spiritually insensitive because they are spiritually dead, spiritual zombies as the world would say.
Living as one of the world becomes even more disturbing, those that think they are alive but actually are spiritually dead, actually think there is peace between man and GOD. The Bible makes it clear that the unregenerated man is an enemy of GOD. This enemy of GOD, holds himself higher than GOD in his mind, through wicked works and prideful boastings. Anyone who is a friend of the world is an enemy of God:
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4)
“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to GOD through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Romans 5:10)
Many within the Church have lost sight of this important truth, something evident by their passive lifestyle. We have become like the Dead Sea. It is dead because it has water flowing into it, but with no outlet. The water has become so salty, a human being can not even sink into it. Nothing lives in it, no one can penetrate it, just like a spiritually dead Church always stuck in the pew, taking in but never distributing unto those that are in need of the Living Water of Jesus Christ.
If the average church made as much noise about GOD on Monday and Thursday, as it makes to GOD on Sunday, we would be in constant revival and increasing regenerated souls unto the Kingdom of GOD not being able to contain them with the walls of our places of worship. Just like the seemingly uselessness of the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea contains very valuable minerals, which are waiting to be harvested. So does the modern Church. It is a field which is white unto harvest, both for souls and for laborers, but like the Dead Sea there seems to be no way out for the Word of GOD to prosper in the unwillingness of a body of so-called believers that are too lazy to move out of their comfort zone.
Perhaps much of the Church needs to consider dropping “Onward Christian Soldiers” also, replacing it with something more appropriate song, appealing to those pretending to be the children of GOD. Showing none of the attributes associated with one that has been given the commission to, “GO OUT” unto the whole world preaching and teaching this lost, dead world that we all have to live in until the return of our King:
Backward Christian Soldiers
Backward Christian Soldiers,
fleeing from the fight
With the Cross of Jesus,
nearly out of sight.
Christ our rightful master,
stands against the foe
But forward into battle,
we are loathe to go.
Like a mighty turtle,
moves the Church of God
Brothers we are treading,
where we have always trod.
Divided in the faith,
many encouraging grateful flattery
Having many doctrines,
stationary with not much charity.
Crowns and thorns may perish,
kingdoms rise and wane
But the Church of Jesus,
hidden does remain.
Gates of Hell should never,
rise against the Church to prevail
We have Christ’s own promise,
but think that it will fail.
Sit here all ye people,
join our useless throng
Blend with ours,
your voices in this feeble song.
Blessings, ease and comfort,
ask from Christ the King
With our modern thinking,
we live by grace not compelled to do a thing.
(Written by Bishop J.D. Sparks – 2013)
Are you on fire for God?
Can you say that you have witnessed to more than 52 people in the last 52 weeks?
Do we have a testimony that resounds, opportunities for Christ?
Is there a zeal to witness, burning in our bones?
It does not matter how much you pray, tithe, or even sacrifice, which are the basics of your Christian faith. If you are not sharing that faith, you are not fulfilling your commission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ unto every creature throughout the world. Not sharing your faith is like unto the survivors of the Titanic, singing songs as you polish the brass in the lifeboat, when there is room for so many who are drowning around you.
While here is nothing wrong with polishing brass, you do not get your polishing rag out while people are drowning all around you instead of throwing them a life line. We are Commissioned Soldiers, Officers in the Military of GOD. True Christianity is not a pleasure-cruiser on its way to Heaven, although it is a Battleship fortified with the Whole Armor of GOD sailing the most powerful Battle Group, stationed at the very gates of Hell.
Bishop J.D. Sparks Touching Heaven Ministries
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