Broadway or narrow gate

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgement and firey indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Hebrews 10:25-27.

My pastor spoke on these verses on Wednesday evening in regards to those who are on a slippery slope, on the verge of turning their backs on God. And yes, I agree with him 100000% with what he shared. This is an anointed man of God that hears what the Holy Ghost has for him to minister and I fully support him.  But even as he was sharing this, my mind wandered a bit to those who have walked into and out of those doors within the last few years.

One particular family I can recall was a mother bringing her 10-15 year old children with her.  When being invited, she was told repeatedly to come as you are to not attempt to "dress" the part, just come.  Well, she came. Service after service she came on Sunday but had to work on Wednesday night.  Each time she came, she would be in the altar, a wreck, crying out to God as tears streamed down her face. Then one day, she stopped coming. What happened? What changed? Another lady, coming out of a history of addiction and abuse falling on her knees in an altar seeking repentance.  I text her later to talk to her regarding what she had experienced and the response was that she would take what she needed and add it to her religion. Still, there are a few others that I know that are sitting back looking to find fault with where they are because they would rather blame someone else for their misery than to take a look at themselves.  They blame this person or that person for not being involved or invited instead of asking themselves that inter-personal question of "what have I done to offend?". They take no responsibility for their part in the falling away. Pointing fingers and placing blame is way easier than to admit you have an issue.

There is a saying that is going around on Facebook now that says "You can get your food wrong at McDonald's 101 times but you'll keep going back, but let the church mess up one time and you'll never go back.". Why do we have such a double standard? And do not come at me with "because the church is perfect." There is no such thing as a perfect church.  If you find one, you better not go because it will no longer be perfect.  That sounds harsh I know but that is the mindset that people have today. "I've got to be in the perfect church with all the right programs. They have to have x, y, and z to accommodate my needs." When did Jesus cease to be all that we needed? Yes, the friendships I have forged at my church are priceless to me and I would not trade them for anything; but if something were to happen tomorrow and any one of them were taken away from my life, it is not worth me walking away from Jesus over. I would be devastated at losing them, but I know the walk of each one of them.  As long as I stay on the narrow way, it will just be a see ya later.

But that's the thing now, no one wants the narrow path. They have to "toe the line" too much. Come to this church or that church, you don't have to change anything when you come to God. Just believe and you'll be saved. Where has that mentality gotten us?  A group of demonic oppressed people running around professing to be Christians as they promote self love, gender affirmation and openly allow gays to be ordained ministers within their ranks. Oh be careful what you teach, you false doctrines.  Matthew 7:13-23 are the words of JESUS, directly quoted from Him, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which comes to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not everyone that saith into me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devil's? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

Mainstream Christianity has taken a form today that frightens me.  If the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin, yet a church says that it is ok to be gay. They openly teach that Jesus would be perfectly fine with what they are doing in the way in which they live their lives.  Let me ask you this? Is adultery worse than homosexuality? You will try to make the argument of committed relationship to an affair. Sorry, that argument doesn't hold up.  Scripture clearly states that there is no sin greater than another with the exception of blasphemy of the Holy Ghost.  So, back to my question on adultery. If Jesus knows us, knows every way that we are going to fail Him, yet gives us the opportunity to repent, why was the adulterous woman before Him to be stoned? Because of the law? That argument goes for homosexuality as well. Leviticus 18: 22, "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination."  When Jesus addressed the woman that was taken in adultery, what did He say to her?  He asked her first where were the ones that had accused her. When there was none to be found, He didn't just say, "Ok, neither do I. Go on your way.". No the words of Jesus were " Neither do I condemn thee: go, AND SIN NO MORE ( John 8: 11)."   But the mindset today is of the feel good movement that says you do you and Jesus will accept you no matter what.

"Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my son's and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.". (2 Corinthians 6: 17-7:1) Verse one right there hits the nail on the head, so to speak. No one wants to cleanse themselves from the filthiness.  They prefer to whitewash the outside while there is the stench of death still radiating from the inside.  Let the spirit of God renew you and give you new life.  Live in the fear of the Lord.