Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A solemn message is on the hearts of pastors across our nation. The message is that the Christian era of the U.S. is now a bygone; a page in our history books. We are now in a post-Christian era in which Christians no longer enjoy a mainstream status.

But there is a silver lining. The historical record shows that it is in such times of persecution and adversity as these that the church has grown the most. We have been praying for a revival in the church for a long time. I believe the LORD is answering that prayer, albeit most mysteriously through the deprivation of our mainstream status.

Though I have described them briefly for you here, I encourage you to read the articles linked below for the full breadth of this message.

The first article describes our new reality in great detail and then calls us to action. It calls us to prepare our hearts and souls to be society’s laughingstock as well as to strengthen our resolve not to cave to the pressure to make Christ more palatable by weakening the gospel.

The second article reminds us that such steadfastness in the faith is impossible to achieve by legalism. Rather, we must depend wholly upon God’s grace both personally and in relating to the lost, especially our persecutors.

The final article reminds us that being the salt and light of the earth is best achieved by reaching the lost first and countering culture second. This is to say, that the only way for self-worshipers to become God-worshipers is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

My brethren, let us therefore renew today our commitment to be unashamed workmen donned with the armor of God. May we also find solace in the words of the psalmist:

They almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. - Ps. 119:87-88
 
The titles below are in part my own summary descriptors and may not reflect in total the personal thoughts of the related article's author.

1. Christians Are No Longer Mainstream: Prepare For And Embrace Our New Reality m.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=41833

2. Dr. Billy Graham’s Grandson Emphasizes Grace Over Legalistic And Moralistic Performance  jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/10/02/tullian-tchividjian

3. Dr. Thom Rainer’s Open Letter: Let Us Return to Our First Love
m.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=41824

Godspeed!
Pastor Daniel

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