"Of The World"

I am currently reading a book by David F. Wells entitled, "God in the Wasteland".
In this book Wells discusses the weakening effects of modernism on the church.
He asserts that the "cultural corruption" of the church has led to a departure from the fundamentals of God's sovereignty and holiness.
He speaks of evangelicals as having become "heavily invested in the mindset of modernity, a mindset that Wells correlates with the biblical concept of the "world."

Below is an excerpt from the book:

"It is one of the remarkable features of contemporary church life that so many are attempting to heal the church by tinkering with its structures, its services, its public face. This is clear evidence that modernity has successfully palmed off one of its great deceits on us, convincing us that God himself is secondary to organization and image, that the church's health lies in its flow charts, its convenience, and its offerings rather than in its inner life, its spiritual authenticity, the toughness of its moral intentions, its understanding of what it means to have God's word in this world.
Those who do not see this are out of touch with the deep realities of life, mistaking changes on the surface for changes in the deep waters that flow beneath.
An inspired group of marketers might find a way of reviving a flagging business by modifying its image and offerings, but the matters of the heart, the matters of God, are not susceptible to such cosmetic alteration.
The world's business and God's business are two differant things.

The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is not inadequate technique, insufficient organization, or antiquated music, and those who want to squander the church's resources bandaging these scratches will do nothing to stanch the flow of blood that is spilling from its true wounds.
The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgement is too benign, his gospel is too easy, and his Christ is too common."

"Possessor of Heaven and Earth"

"A man who knows that he owns a tree and thanks you for the use he has of it, even though he does not know its exact height or the width of its spread, is better than another who measures it and counts all its branches, but neither owns it nor knows and loves its Creator. In just the same way, a man who has faith in you owns all the wealth of the world, for if he clings to you, whom all things serve, though he has nothing yet he owns them all. It would be foolish to doubt that such a man, though he may not know the track of the Great Bear, is altogether better than another who measures the sky and counts the stars and weighs the elements, but neglects you who allot to all things their size, their number, and their weight."
(Augustine)

The observations of Augustine remind me again that our God, who has made all things and sustains all things for His own glory, has not vacated the throne and is still the owner and disposer of it all! As the hymn writer asked: "Why should I be discouraged?" The response of an enlightened heart came: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

"Practical Atheism"

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psa.14:1)

There is much talk today of Atheism. I hear concern expressed with regards to such things as atheistic phrases on the sides of buses and billboards around the world.

These are certainly disturbing trends, nevertheless, I must respond to these concerns with a question: "Are these expressions of atheistic philosophy in word contrary to the overall human condition in practice?

In other words, is not man a practical atheist from birth? Does not the Bible describe the natural man as one alienated from the life of God and at enmity with Him?

The scriptures describe him as one who does not even want to retain the knowledge of God in his mind and when exposed to the truth seeks to suppress it.

Does not the above verse from the Psalms speak to us of man's evil heart? Out of this evil, atheistic heart flows the issues of life. So, what is it that flows from such an unbelieving heart?
Here it is declared that the outworkings of atheism are "abominable works" that show forth his unbelieving hatred of God.

Therefore, when we consider practical living, how many lives display what they profess to believe, that is, that there is a God who has given us life, who has given us direction for that life, and who rules over all things?

"And why call ye me, Lord,Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
(Luke6:46)

With this in view, is Atheism a minority report? Or, is it the testimony of the many, even among professed believers?

Is a phrase on the side of a bus really the issue, or is this simply a diversion that keeps us from facing our own "foolish" hearts and their outworkings of practical atheism?

My prayer is this: "I want faith in God to be expressed not just in my words, but also in my deeds! O' for grace to not display the attributes of a practical atheist!"

"No Greater Love"!

"What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom.8:31-32)

What can one add to such profound questions as these? What can the flesh, the world, or the Devil do to seperate me from the grace of God by which I stand. I am captured by His unspeakable love and mercy that sought me and bought me and will never leave me nor forsake me!

We have every reason to be glad with joy unspeakable and full of glory!