NKJV In this account, the faces of the Lord’s people were covered with shame—for it was a terrible thing that men should intrude into the temple’s holy place, reserved for the priests alone. Everywhere around us, we see similar cause for sorrow. How many ungodly men are now receiving an education with the view of entering the ministry! What a heinous sin is the solemn lie by which whole populations are identified as “Christians”! How fearful it is that ordinances should be pressed upon the unconverted, and that even among the better churches of our land there should be such lax discipline. If the thousands who will read this devotional would all take this matter before the Lord Jesus today, He will intervene to avert the evil that will otherwise come upon His church. To pollute the church is to poison a well, to pour water on a fire, to sow a fertile field with stones. May we all have the grace to maintain, in our own proper way, the purity of the church as an assembly of true believers—not an entire nation, or some unsaved community of unconverted people. Our zeal, however, must begin at home. Let us examine ourselves as to our right to eat at the Lord’s table. Let us see to it that we are wearing our wedding garments, or else we ourselves will be intruders in the Lord’s sanctuaries. Many are called, but few are chosen; the way and the gate are narrow. Oh, for the grace to come to Jesus properly, with the faith of God’s elect. The One who struck down Uzzah for touching the ark is very jealous of His two ordinances—as a true believer I may approach them freely, but as an alien I must not touch them or else I’ll die. It is the duty of all who are baptized or come to the Lord’s table to search themselves. “Search me, God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
I read this, this morning, and it just followed the aches of my heart concerning all that I have seen in the professing Church today as well as this nation called the United States.
Far be it that we should call ourselves a Christian nation. It couldn't be farther from the truth. Going deeper, far be it that most professing Churches are part of the true Church of God. Because they most certainly are not.
The ways of man, the doctrines of demons, have infiltrated and influenced a great deal of the professing Church today.
What is taught, what is introduced as good and relevant are in fact disguised sin.
We must be in the Word of God to find the way of God. It's not found in man. Jesus is the head of the Church. It's not anyone who leads a large group of people.
That's another reason why what I have seen, been through, grieves me greatly.
Idolatry is plainly explained in the Bible.
Yet a great deal of Churches today have introduced it as programs to reach the lost.
The Berean Church was known for looking up even what the Apostles shared with them to see if it was so.
Do you take everything a Pastor says at face value? Have you been in your Bible enough to be able to discern truth from error?
I was lead to mention in recent days of the fact that when the Rapture happens, there will still be full Churches with people who are members. They will be left behind because they never truly came to Christ.
They were taught how to look like it without becoming.
I don't know how long ago Spurgeon wrote this particular devotional, but it most assuredly applies to today's world.
I read my Bible every day. You cannot find wisdom in any other way. I read it before reading devotionals. You have to.
Do you ever even open your Bible outside of when you are at a Church?
We need to be fed and the sole source isn't a Sunday sermon.
Today, really look at where you are in Christ. What are you doing in the fields in which you have been sent?
Just what are you doing? Wasting time on frivolous things? Relaxing is one necessity of life, but a life of it is called laziness. God's not done with things for you to do as long as you are still breathing.
Paul said to live is Christ, it was his focus.
It must be ours too.
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