ARRIVED?

 

ARRIVED?

  2Timothy [MKJV] 3:16-17; 4:1-4 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work. Therefore I solemnly witness before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is going to judge the living and the dead according to His appearance and His kingdom, preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For a time will be when they will not endure sound doctrine, but they will heap up teachers to themselves according to their own lusts, tickling the ear. And they will turn away their ears from the truth and will be turned to myths.

  Titus [GW] 2:1 Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings.

“I consider that the chief dangers which confront the coming century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.”  William Booth

  William Booth died August 20, 1912. He was a British Methodist preacher that founded The Salvation Army (S.A.) in London not long after our USA civil war ended. He was the first S.A. General (1878–1912). Since its founding S.A. has spread to many countries. The movement is quasi-military in structure and appearance.  The S.A. is one of the largest distributors of humanitarian aid.

  Preacher Booth did not claim to be a prophet but he certainly did state terse warnings.

  Does his statement above pertain to us today?

  Let us see. In the local congregation that you or I participate in:

·         If ever, how often is God’s Holy Spirit mentioned?

·         If ever, how often have we been taught about God’s Holy Spirit?

·         If anything, how much do we know about God’s Holy Spirit? Can we intelligently respond to those that inquire about Him?

·         If at all, what influence does God’s Holy Spirit have in our life?

·         If at all, do we hear of Christ or do we primarily hear of a Christianity centered in loving, happy living and social harmony?

·         If at all, is true Christ-centered Bible-based repentance explained, urged, and expected with empathetic shepherding available?  (Jesus first commandment. Mt.4:17 and 6 other mentions.)

·         If at all, is born-again regeneration explained, urged, and expected with empathetic shepherding available?

·         If at all, are political positions and choices explained in the light of God’s Word? (I speak not of endorsements, but of knowing what God says that applies to said choices.)

·         If at all, when have we even heard the word “hell”? If so, how often and with what definition?

·         If at all, when have we been taught from God’s Word about the reality of hell?

·         If at all, when invited to trust Lord Jesus Christ, is any reason(s) given as to why bother?

  Where are we in our particular congregation? Are we taught the sound doctrine of the complete counsel of God or have we arrived at William Booth’s place of “chief dangers”?

EBB4