But We Have Promises to Keep

Christianity as taught and lived by the early followers of Jesus has disappeared in Babylon, otherwise known as the west. That does not mean no one is saved because that is completely by grace through faith, but the practice of New Testament Christianity has disappeared from the western culture. In its place is a bastardized version of Christianity that centers on money, politics, entertainment, and an ecclesiastical culture of narcissism. Christ is only the center in name and doctrine, however that which He held dear is no longer given a place of prominence. Prayer, real and sacrificial prayer, is not practiced or believed.
This western culture is consumed with entertainment; it wastes obscene amounts of food; it spends billions on pets; it drives automated houses called cars; it keeps thousands of gallons of water just for recreation; it has a multiplicity of televisions; its cell phones are now mobile electronic centers; it uses clothes as personal ornaments rather than necessities; it spends outrageous amounts of money on makeup, hair products, and other items designed for the outward man; it stores up much money to be lavished upon itself in the future; and in a stunning display of ignorance and spiritual blindness, people have given the country known as America a divine birth and a divine purpose above all the rest. Suggesting that America has divine favor is like suggesting Charles Manson was from God as well.
We, as believers living within this culture, have been blind to the decay and spiritual destruction that has taken place all around us. Even our churches have lifted up others as heretics and false teachers in order to placate ourselves. The theory being that if we see error and heresy then we must not be involved with any ourselves. But, in fact, the debt ridden churches with their well off pastors are poor reflections of the New Testament. We do not even teach a Jesus lifestyle anymore much less follow Him. Refusing to be angry with someone who cuts you off on the highway is considered an act of discipleship. We laugh and joke about it. The entire Christian genre has become a stench and a willing prisoner of the culture in which it finds itself.
But even though the organization called the church no longer follows the teachings of Christ, this is not the time for despair, little children. We are not called to complain about our circumstances, and we must not hide our light under a bushel of political and moral concerns. Our calling, our anointing is the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. That must define us and must not be forced to compete with earthly issues. Let us not compartmentalize the gospel. Our gospel has always been the only message and the only answer for all the many ills of this world.
Eternity has arrived and it is gathering all. Only those who believe the gospel will see life while all the rest, without exception, will see an eternal death whose horrors cannot be fully known this side of death. We are so prone to get entangled with the affairs of this world and by our passion and involvement place a value on issues that hold nothing in eternity. And as the years pass the gospel has become an aside and sits as a religious spectator that watches believers as they prance about doing the business of this present world. The gospel, in many ways, has become a lifeless relic.
But it is precisely that gospel and its Author which must capture our full attention, passion, and heart. Sinners must see something conspicuous within us that manifests dramatically in our outward lives. Our speech must be salty communications of the heart that is wholly surrendered to the living reality of Jesus the Christ. The Spirit’s task does not lie in the carnal machinations of men, regardless how relevant and how noble. But we, as lanterns of the Spirit, must shine with the unmistakable incandescence which lifts up Jesus as Redeemer and Lord.
All the rest is wood, hay, and stubble and deserves to be thrown into the fire. God will not hold us responsible for the backsliding of the western church, but we will give an account for our own actions. Pray, pray, and pray some more. The end of all things is very near. We will soon stand before the Risen Christ in all His glory. How much of this life that He has given to us have we wasted? How entrenched in this culture have we become? What do we worry and fret about? Are our pillows stained with tears over the lost? Do we fast in order to crucify our flesh and glorify our Blessed Redeemer? Are our lives so filled with anticipation of the Lord’s coming that others take notice?
If we do not pray, we do not need God. And the measured passion with which we pray reveals just how much we need God, and indeed believe in Him. Read the bulletins and listen to the announcements and you might see the importance placed upon prayer.

The culture is lovely, dark and deep.
But we have promises to keep,
And miles to go before we sleep,
And miles to go before we sleep.