CHRISTIAN MEDIA RESEARCH - Newsletter - Sidewinder Seeking Salvation

f the world survives long enough, we might yet see a personals ad similar to the above headline. Obviously, such an ad would be completely insane, but as the flood that flows out of the mouth of the dragon continues to splash over and around the remnant saints, and the religionists described as tares in the New Testament continue to deteriorate in their thinking, just about any depth of depravity may still be possible. In short, mainstream "Christians" never cease to amaze those knowledgeable in the truth with their apostasy.

Those who call themselves "Christians" today are so completely void of discernment that they have become "an astonishment and an hissing," if I can borrow from the prophet Jeremiah. Ironically, it may very well be that the worst offenders are those "believers" that have separated their "ministry" activities from the apostasy of the mainstream churches in an effort to draw near to the LORD, but in the process have fallen back into the ways of the world. The Apostle Peter addresses this when he writes

"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning." (II Peter 2:20).

To put it another way, there are those that saw the gross inconsistencies within the church, that were obedient to the LORD's command to "come out of her" (the apostate last day's incorporated institutions of "Christianity" - Revelation 18:4), but in the process have lost their way and have ended up in an even darker deception within the multitudes of parachurch ministry bodies posing as "remnant" believers.

There are literally thousands of "Christian" Internet groups that act as a magnet for these disenfranchised believers. Such "ministry" forums allow unmonitored postings -- which means people can place messages online with no editing, oversight, or accountability whatsoever.

Because these electronic forums identify themselves as fellowships of believers, this is the equivalent of a church service where the most reprobate person in the sanctuary can stand up at will and declare the most insidious and shallow things that comes forth from his or her miniscule mind and reprobate heart. Multiply that a thousand fold, and you have an indication of the scope of the problem.

The answer is not to go back to the whorehouse that is the organized church, although many have done just that. The answer is also not to despair of ever finding an anointing in terms of spiritual truth and growth in others. The answer is a direct relationship with Jesus Christ on an ongoing basis from "whence ye are" (John 15:6).

Couple this abiding in Him with a consistent daily effort, put forth in a rational fashion, to follow the admonitions of scripture, and as you work out your salvation in fear and trembling, you'll be on the strait and narrow path to glory.

July 29 2005 -- James Lloyd

See Also

Defilement