Modern Contemporary Consumer-oriented Christianity: I'm Tired of It

Contemporary Christian music is most definitely more focused on the performer than on God or Christ. The performers are glorified on the covers and the inlay cards, and they most usually look just like secular rock performers. There is no separation from the world. The lyrics are usually so ambiguous that the song could either be about their girlfriend or God; that way they get maximum radio play and make more money. This isn't to say that all modern Christian music is wrong or bad, or that all contemporary Christian musicians are in it for the wrong reason, because there are some (a few) genuine and sincere artists. But usually this music leads Christian kids away from godliness and true Christianity and into a worldly form of life. Churches now appeal to people’s lusts and desires and it is based on what is hot in contemporary American culture. This is a far cry from what the church should be. Friendship with the world is enmity with God. 1 John 2:15 reads, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Don't you think that imitation of the ways of the world is exactly what the above verse is talking about? I don't care how much you argue around the fact that the church needs to be "relevant", the relevancy the modern churches speak of is simply love of the world. What is John speaking of in the verse above? What are the things of the world? Well, what does the music of the world sound like? What does contemporary Christian music sound like? Is it not a mimicking of the music of the world? How do the heathen youth of the world dress? How do the youth in contemporary Christian churches dress? Is it not also a mirror image of the world? These people who advocate "relevant" Christianity defend their reasons for dressing like the world, speaking like the world, listening to the music of the world, etc.; however, they have no defense coming from the Scriptures. It is blatantly obvious that the Bible OVER AND OVER AGAIN calls for our separation from the world and worldly things. I cannot see how imitating the world can do any good for God, but I can see how it is a complete disregarding of what the Scriptures teach. Love of one's own sins is what allows them to enter into a church and worship God they way THEY want and to do things the Lord hates. I have spoken with non-Christians who have said that they think it is stupid when Christians try to mimic the world, try to be "cool", try to be "relevant". The heathen LAUGH at modern versions of Scripture that include modern "relevant" language and they mock the weakness and whiney sound of contemporary Christian "rock". I know this because I am in the U.S. Navy and I speak with non-believers and God rejecters every day. This movement does not bring the world to Christ but brings the people of Christ to the world and causes mass confusion. I believe it will be a contributor to the decline of Christianity in the U.S.; Christianity could soon become a tiny flickering light in a very dark land, a smoldering wick near extinction; but Christ will not leave His Church in this state because He has said He will never leave us or forsake us. However, if we continue to be disobedient to His word and choose to love the world and the things therein, the church will remain only a remnant of true believers and can receive no blessing.

Westminster Moment

About Christian Liberty. So many Christians fall on the doctrine of the liberty which Christians have when confronted with their way of life. They do falsely fall on this liberty, because the liberty spoken of in the New Testament is not the same liberty which these people speak of. As the Westminster Confession of Faith states in Chapter 20, "but under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected, and in greater access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of." Christians presumptuously take liberty in the worship they offer to God, in the way they lead their life, the music they listen to, the television they watch and the commandments of God they choose to obey. This is wrong, and this is not what Christian liberty is. The Confession of Faith goes on to say, "They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty; which is, that, being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life." The liberty which was purchased for us under Christ is the liberty to serve the Lord with our whole life from our heart with love, and freedom from the tedious ceremonial law of the Jews. It is no license to sin. Why would a Christian want to, under the banner of liberty, do the things that the Lord hates and continue the very things which Jesus Christ had to be crucified for in order to save us, his elect children? So, the next time you meet a person who is living with their boyfriend of girlfriend outside of godly marriage, or who continues to disregard baptism, or neglects attending church, or listens to music that the Lord hates, you can be assured that it is not Christian liberty which they practise; they are just still sinners living in sin who need to know Jesus and who need to be enlightened; who need His salvation. There is no halfway Christian, no "almost there" point to Christianity. One is either born again or not. There is such a thing as a maturing and growing Christian who may seem stuck in between both worlds, but even this persons conscience is so made aware of the Lord and His will that he or she feels that they need to discard their old life and continue on with the life message they are receiving from the Holy Spirit. You don't believe me? Then believe what the Bible says. Read the Bible, pray, do some research and then come and discuss with me.

One by One They Fall

It is a sad thing to see converts fall away from the faith so quickly. They spring up with joy so fast, a desire to read the Scriptures, a determination to change their life, and then--nothing. They no longer have joy in the Lord, they no longer spend time in the Scriptures-or very little time, their determination to change things like quitting cursing, using the Lord's name in vain, harsh and perverse joking. Jesus says in John Chapter 3 that we must be born again. After the second birth a person grows, just as a new born baby grows. If there is no evidence in a persons life of regeneration or second birth then there never was a second birth. Just like a newborn baby, the new Christian should be hungry for the milk of the Word. They should be rapidly growing and changing just as a baby does. People who do not grow or desire the milk of the word are those who Christ speaks of in the parable in Luke chapter 8, "A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture." and then "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Jesus knew these things would happen; He warned us. I wish, however, there were more that fit this description, "But the seed that fell on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." I'm glad the Lord knows those who belong to Him. I'm glad that I belong to Him.

The Problem With Some Professing Christians

I had a random urinalysis today and I was sitting with the other people who were waiting for their turn. One person I sat by was a friend and co-worker of mine. I overheard him speaking with the girl next to him about religious stuff. Then he brought me in on the conversation, asking me what I thought about Christians drinking alcohol, and pointed to the verse where Jesus made water into wine. I noted that yes, the wine was more than likely alcoholic because there was no method of purification from fermentation until the 1800's and that the Bible always mentions wine "making the heart merry". I mentioned to them both that the Bible doesn't condemn drinking wine but it warns against getting drunk because being drunk causes the mind to have perverse thoughts, and no one can deny this fact; and drunkenness on many occasions causes many bad memories and sinful moments. The girl began to rail on other Christians for "judging" and being hypocritical, mentioning that many people tell her not to do things when they themselves do them. She wouldn't give a specific incident, which is usually the case with so-called Christians who somehow claim to be Christians but hate other Christians. She also said that sometimes she just doesn't want to go to church and people should leave her alone and not bug her about it. Church might last for an hour, maybe two depending what church service she goes to. She also mentioned that she likes to go to the clubs on Saturday nights, and I'm sure she spends far more than an hour or two at the clubs, yet she complains that people ask her to spend an hour at Church to worship the God who created her. She still claimed to be a Christian, saying that she believes in God. I told her that she should know, then, when she is doing wrong, and that if she is a Christian she should WANT to go to church to worship the God who saved her. The book of James says that "even the demons believe, and tremble". Demons believe in God. As a matter of fact, they have a greater understanding of God's greatness because they are spirits who were once partakers of heavenly things. This doesn't make them good with God, their belief in Him doesn't do one thing for them. They are lost and condemned to hell for eternity. It is so frustrating to hear people who claim to be Christians cut down Christianity and call people hypocrites. These people don't realize that they are being "hypocritical" and confessing their hypocrisy as they judge others. These kinds of people are happy to live in sin. The Church is full of false converts and new Christians who mess up. Christians are not perfect people. They should strive to be godly people, and yes, Jesus does say, "be ye perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect." Unfortunately, I didn't get to say all I wanted to to her. A truly saved person doesn't behave that way. Yes, a saved person will notice hypocrisies and will be disappointed from time to time, but they love Jesus Christ at all times and could never speak a bad word against Him or His Church. So many people have forgotten the greatness of the Lord, our God. He is to be feared, praised, reverenced, loved and obeyed at all times and by all people. So many Christians are in it for themselves, what they can get out of this whole "Jesus thing". I'm afraid these people are in for a big let down. Jesus promised sufferings and persecutions. He also promised eternal life, and that is the prize. Being a Christian is about falling on our faces and saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth" and giving thanks always. All things come from the Lord and the very breath you just took, the heartbeat that just pumped is because the Lord gave you life, air and the food that you ate this day. Give thanks with a grateful heart and love the Lord.