I have a grouse with some of the new generation churches that now mushroom all over the place. I don’t believe in denominationalism because to me, it is not the dream of Jesus Christ. His dream is that his disciples be united in doctrine, faith and practice. Different denominations with their different doctrinal beliefs, practices and values, yet there is one Christ, one Heaven. Back to my opening line, I have serious concerns about some anomalies I have noticed. But on the whole, this piece is an advocacy for the truth. The truth is not fashionable, it is out of vogue. But the truth is the truth and it will always triumph!
First, I’ll take on the dress sense displayed by members. You know that is what hits you in the face when you enter a church. Why would some ladies dress indecently to the church? Dresses they cannot wear to their workplaces. What baffles me is that some church leaders would accept these people into the church in the name of displaying the love of God even when they know they might constitute a major distraction to the other worshippers, especially the male. If care is not taken, we will kindle the fire of lust right in the church. From day one, any lady that dresses indecently to the church should be corrected in love and sent back home to dress properly. Correction is part of showing love. God, in His love, will not condemn you but He will not condone sin either. Don’t sell the truth in the process of buying the approval of your church members. Truth should not be sacrificed on the altar of church growth.
Yesterday, I was at a worship centre and was confronted by lady wearing a camisole that showed her cleavage and other ladies clad in all kinds of wears. In a trending article under the title ‘’Why Do So Many Women Show off Cleavage in Church?’’, at Crosswalk.com, Jennifer LeClaire is quoted as saying “Some women—and I am talking about so-called “mature believers,” not lost souls or baby Christians—come into God’s sanctuary on Sunday morning wearing clothes you might rather expect to see them wearing at a dance club on Saturday night. Their blouses cling to their bodies, their necklines dip so low and stretch so wide that they reveal cleavage, and the slits up the sides of their skirts offer more than an innocent glimpse of their thighs. Again, I’m not talking about sinners seeking God or new believers who plain don’t know better. I’m talking about those who claim to be “born-again, baptized, blood-bought” (even tongue-talking) members of the church!” It would never be appropriate to insult anybody’s sensibilities. These days, secular organizations have dress code and corporate culture. Why must we lower standards of excellence in the house of God? If you ask me, you do not even need to be born again to know what kind of dress to put on. The society has unwritten rules of decency and that is it has cultural connotations for every dress. For anyone who wants to win people and lead them in the path of truth, you will not want to break these unwritten laws of modesty.
Truth is sacred and should be treated as such by those who stand behind the pulpit. Young people should be taught the truth, no matter what. Youth leaders should not be afraid of the faces of young people. They should be told the truth, nothing but the truth. Hit them hard with the truth and mould them into role models. This strategy of trying to excite young people in order to keep them in church will not work. Organizing exciting programs to make youths happy without speaking the truth to them is a waste of time and resources in the light of eternity. To stay that people love the smooth words, half-truths than the pure truth that searches powerfully and transforms beautifully. Motivational speaking should not take the place of speaking the truth. Truth is unpleasant but it sets free, in the end. Getting youths into the church or any religious centre is not that easy. My counsel is attract the youth but don’t detract from the truth, in the process of making it acceptable or appealing. Believers cannot justify indecent dressing with the notion of liberty. The Bible advises us not to use our liberty to commit sin. We have spiritual liberty to exercise dominion over sin and Satan, not freedom to dress anyhow. We have to be careful not to misinterpret the Word of God to suit our ungodly desires.
Gradually our places of worship are becoming entertainment centres. After a church service, it is either your spirit-man is refreshed or your flesh is excited. When the HolySpirit is really in control, people with open hearts experience the times of refreshing right in God’s presence. Why do we go to the house of God? Is it to enjoy ourselves or to worship God in spirit and in truth? A lot of showmanship, not fellowship, goes on. Yet in the presence of God, there is fullness of joy. Truth produces godly sorrow, which leads unto the joy of salvation, everlasting joy. Godly sorrow births true joy, not the joyous excitement and laughter that follows comedy sessions in the church. Today, people rarely experience godly sorrow provoked by truth that really grips hearts because of the weak, watery, wishy-washy witty words streaming from the pulpit. Preachers have a responsibility to tell the truth, even if it would lead to loss of some truth-hating members.
The tragedy of new generation churches stems from their craze for innovation. I believe in creativity but not at the expense of faithfulness to the truth of God’s Word. The truths in God’s Word cannot be modernized. Worship centres now trying to look like relaxation spots, all in the name of creativity. A day of reckoning is coming and God will judge all those who bastardized the truth of His Word to make their listeners happy. With the way things are going in the world today, one would expect every church to be preparing their members for the coming of the Lord but there are relatively few churches doing this.
We are in the last days and false teachers are commonplace, but it is up to you to never give them a place. These false teachers will almost do anything to keep you comfortable in their churches as long as you keep paying your tithes, sowing seeds, and bringing gifts. Refuse to comfortable with lies because of what lies ahead of you, eternal damnation. Accept the truth that can transform you and prepare you for Heaven: the home of saints. If you worship in a church where the truths of sin, righteousness, holiness, Heaven, Hell Fire, Restitution, e.t.c are not frequently taught, you need to leave there immediately. Don’t be deceived, God cannot be mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that will he reap…the foundation of God stands sure having this seal that the Lord knows those who are His. And let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. You just read the words of God. If you love yourself, love the truth. God, in His love, will not condemn you but He will not condone sin either. Pitch your tent with the truth and it shall be well with you.
IDOWU OMISORE
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