The Departure

Brothers and sisters, first I want to apologize for the lateness of the post, our goal at Mill House Ministries is to always have the very best published for fellow Christians and with such a heavy discussion I wanted to make sure the post was ready.

Today I wanted to bring your attention to a growing issue in the Church, a problem that is systemic within the Modern American Church, but also found throughout the entire world. This issue is a departure from the faith by those who lead in the Churches. What first started as only a few has now turned into more and more. It could be compared to a trickle of water, that as it runs down the mountain it continues to gain speed, the water slowly collecting until eventually the trickle of water has turned into a mighty flood.  

With all the craziness of the pandemic and lawlessness that has enveloped the world you might have missed the subtle news of a specific Christian band lead singer announcing that he is not a Christian and does not believe in God. What made his remark even more alarming was his announcement that he hopes that the others he knows in the industry who also do not believe in God come forth as well.  While the news might harp on your bodily health and the health of the justice system, I would tell you the greatest danger is actually found in what is happening to the Church. “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” Hebrews 3:12. Believers are being led in worship by those who are not even saved! This should not be too much of a surprise since some of the most popular songs currently on Christian radio have some of the most blasphemous lyrics ever heard. I will just say, the character of my God is not reckless and His love for us is not anything close to reckless. To describe His character in such a manner, no matter from the point of view you are attempting to sing from is plain silly. I will sing of my God’s character based on the word of God and not what the world thinks His loving actions look like.

However, it is not just with worship leaders. We have those who have been preaching for years, step up and deny on the cable news that Jesus Christ is not the only way to heaven. They circumnavigate, Jesus’ legitimate claim to singularity of His perfect sacrifice for our separation from God. However, this should not be taken as surprising or a shock, for those who read the scriptures specifically prophecy know that this was coming. However while the world is preparing for their false savior to arrive, we are waiting for us to leave. “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3 As we come closer to the end of the Church age, we are to see the signs of our departure coming about. The doctrine of demons is already being preached in many Christian circles, new names but the same old trickery being played on those who do not seek the Word of God as the focal point in their lives. “ Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” 2 Timothy 4:1-3. The love of what God wants in our lives has become absent, men and women are desiring to chase after the things of this world rather than the desires that God would have for them. I was shocked to see on TV the other day a preacher “prophecy” about the Covid-19 Wuhan Virus stating that it would get hot in the U.S and kill the virus and God would only reward you if you keep tithing. It was evidently clear he was more interested in keeping the money coming in rather than the truth of God’s word.  “But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people” 2 Timothy 3:1-9. As more fall away from the faith, we can see the clear influence a dissolving Church has on a secular world, currently I believe Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago said it best about the news of this week, “And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.” Matthew 24:10 the love for man has grown cold, and why shouldn’t it? The love of God has grown cold and dead.

Nevertheless, this is ironically a sad but necessary thing. For yes, the hour is late, and the Church age is being considered by many in its final days (myself included). But how do you recognize those who are truly followers of Christ? It is by the fruits of the Spirit, but also by those who are willing to follow Christ even when it hurts. It was once explained to me that false teachers are a critical part of the Christian circle, they are like magnets and they draw the impurities out, allowing those who are truly Christ’s to stay put. They might be unwittingly used, but they are in fact being used for this very purpose, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” 1 John 2:19. We the sheep know the true voice of Jesus who is the good shepherd. Now if you are reading this and are worried because you think “what if I am not saved, what if I am going to be led astray?” I would point you to the book of Galatians and see how Paul was able to help instruct spiritually young Christians to recognize Christ as being the center of their life. While only six chapters, it is a powerful book. If you live in the United States, you are seeing our Christian world crumble before our very eyes. God has not abandoned us, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6.  While God was telling this to the Israelites, His character does not change, and in fact Jesus continued this promise to the Christians when He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:20. Our God is with us no matter what, so why is there so many leaving the faith? I am not here to argue for or against Calvinism or Arminianism, but rather just recognizing that those who are of God’s flock will not leave. When Christ said, in John 17:12 “while I was with them, I was keeping them in your name which you have given Me, and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” You see, while He is talking about the disciples, this character of Jesus still holds true, if one of His is missing He will leave the 99 for the 1. “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” Matthew 18:12. But those that are not His who are living in the flock, He will separate out, “He will separate them from one another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats” Matthew 25:32.

Nevertheless, as we see this great departure of the faith continue to get worse, those who are of Christ stand firm in our calling of which Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. Let us live in love. As those around us live in fear and their love for their fellow man grows cold, let us shine even brighter. We should be careful to which songs we sing in Church and make sure to take all sermons back to the word of God and examine the scripture daily. And as Paul said in Ephesians 5:1 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved Children, and walk in love just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us.” No germ is as contagious nor social disruption as dangerous as those who lead and teach in our Churches who are not one of us. Pray continuously for those who are in leadership roles in the Church, but also do not be surprised as our numbers dwindle, for just as a piece of metal is heated and purified, so is the real Church exemplified as the apostasy takes place.

Hold until relieved, Our blessed Hope is coming

JL