The Bible tells us in Deut15: 12-18 the story of a slave under the control of his owner who, after he had gained his freedom, because of the benefits he recieved from his owner, refused freedom and wanted to remain under the control of his master.To solidify this agreement the owner would take the (former) slave to the doorpost of his house and with an awl pierce his ear through into the doorpost signifying that he was to be his slave foreever, never again to be free.
You will find as you read this book that the American churches gave up their freedom in the same way in 1954 when they agreed not to endorse politicians in the church in exchange for tax free status.In other words, they sold their American birthright of freedom of speech for IRS tax free dollars that has created Church assets amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars..
I am just an average "Joe" upset about the direction of the American church and the decline of morality, both in and out of church
Observing the overall appearance of the American church.
Lets begin by looking at some recent polls that appear from time to time from those who are looking for ways to treat the symptoms.
One recent poll says that the church on the North American continent is the only church in the world that isn't growing.
Another poll says that 50% of Christians divorce and another says that 96% of children raised in church no longer attend when given a choice.
A more recent poll found that 25% of teenagers in school have a sexually transmitted disease.
A Gallup pool taken in 2004 revealed some disturbing results. Of those polled 90% say they believe in God but don't be impressed by this number for the devils also believe, and tremble at the name of Jesus.
James:2:19-20
You say you have faith, you believe that there is one God, good for you! Even the devils believe this, and they tremble in terror.How foolish! Cant you see that faith without good deeds is useless?
Religious preferences of those polled were: Protestant 40%. Baptist 17%. Lutheran 3%. Presbyterian 2%. Pentecostal 2%. Episcopalian 2%. others 2%. Christians no affilation 11%. Catholic 25%. Jew 3%. 34% of those polled attend religious services weekly.
On morals: Against: premarital sex 36%. Euthanasia 41%. Baby out of wedlock 45%. Homosexuality 54%. Abortion 50%.
If we look at these statistics another way we can see that: 64% believe that premarital sex is okay. 59% believe that euthanasia is okay. 55% believe that having a baby out of wedlock is okay. 46% believe that homosexuality is okay, and finally 50% otf those polled say that abortion is okay.
Who are these Christians listening to and what are they hearing from the pulpits in America? Christians who believe these things, and their Christian leaders who do not warn them are both in grave danger. Pastors and all leaders who teach or have authority over Gods people listen to this warning from God. Many of you love to have the authority but deny the responsibility!
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Now son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore listen to what I say and warn them for me.
If I announce that some wicked people are about to die and you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths.
But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you have saved yourself.
If a Doctor examined you and seen the percentages listed above he would say that you are very sick and in need of some treatment since you appear to be about half dead.
Beware of looking at yourself in a strictly natural way. If you were not against all these moral issues then you are not on God's side. Don't you know that you are either for God or against him? If God opposes a particular behavior, then you should also.
Matthew 12:30
Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me.