Sinner's prayer, Is It Real?

1 Cor. 1:18
    For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
What has happened to the preaching in pulpits across America?  What has caused the tranformation of the gospel from powerful to watered down?  What came about where the Word was taught NOT to affect the souls of those lost or wondering to the point that repentance is not needed?  Why is much of the Bible neglected just to keep people in the pews?  How are those in leadership proud of their church size but cannot ascertain the spiritual "temperature" of their flock?

A day before the funeral of my father-in-law, a son of the father could not come to grips with unforgiveness to him.  All he could remember wasn't pleasant and some reason I told him it needs to be address before he left for home.  Amazingly, on the drive to the funeral, God gave him a vision of the good times with his father, and he felt the need to share when he arrived at the church service. 

Many pastors are good hearted but some are taught by doctrine and non-offensive to those in the congregation.  Add to the big books like "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and "Your Best Life Now" by Joel Osteen, which have been on best sellers list, it is easily enticing to copy their "success."  The problem is the understanding is superficial and neglects the need for repentance, cleansing and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict, when needed.

We like to hear how God loves us, even when we are still sinners.  The Word of Faith movement's doctrine gives individuals the belief that God will give them wealth as a sign of His blessings.  It gives the impression that if you are poor, you have little faith and thus, God does not approve of your lifestyle.  Sorry to say, it is easy to say "God is blessing me" when you can fly in your own persnal jet, hold a $10M mansion, and travel at your leisure outside of public welfare.

That aside, what I got to see at a former church a few years ago tells me the current conditon when it comes to salvation.  At the end of the service, they gave an "altar call" to those who need Jesus, have them raise their hand where they are, say the "sinner's prayer" as a group, then welcome to the club.  One person sitting next to us said the prayer, and immediately walked out of church, with NO DESIRE to be in God's presence. 

Why does this disturb me?  Where is the follow through for these people to continue their path through the gates?  Hw did these people know what sin is, and what pleases God and what He detests?  How does these people know about repentance and the Holy Spirit?  Too much information is left out. 

How do we accept Jesus "in our heart?"  I know this will get testy but hear me out.  Some understand the definition of Savior, but don't understand at all how God's wrath came upon His Son through the scourging and beating, and how the sacrifice was accepted through the innocent blood of the Lamb.  But the Word uses Lord Jesus Christ in many verses in the NT, and this is the biggest part of Jesus that is ignored in a huge way.  When one calls another lord, he/she is dictating servitude and obedience to said person.  Believing in Jesus Christ and all he did holds some importance, but if it ends there, it is useless. 

Life with Christ requires obedience, which does not directly come from the heart, but the mind.  The only arena that Jesus said was those who endure to the end shall be saved.  The Greek word used for endure is:
hupomeno, meaning to stay under.  Those who "stay under" His lordship will endure the the end, not those who just believe.  For even the demons believe in God, and they tremble. 

We as a church is nowhere near the churh that was very successful and pleasing as it was over fifty plus years ago.  We are not tested, no need to examine ourselves, no words that may be conviction.  Many are powerless, but as long as I go to church, give my tithe, I am okay in God's eyes.    If that is all it takes, the rest of the Bible isn't a requirement.  It must be a boring walk of life to show the world their need for the Savior.


It is better to tell the truth in all purity and with no filters and give them the chance to be in His presence than not tell you at all.  If the pulpit loved you that much, they would, with no punches pulled.

Michael
Jeremiah 6:16