The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God . . . —1 Peter 4:17

“Judgment” and “Sin” are proper words for a Christian to use. We try desperately to avoid them.  We don’t want to “judge.” “Sin” is politically incorrect. We want people to “come to” Jesus or “accept” Him. We entice them with promises that “God has a wonderful plan” for them. We don’t tell them they are sinners bound for hell. It seems William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army was correct when he responded to a question with:

We have as our spiritual goals getting some one to come to church, then go to the front, then say a prayer. OC reminds us of what our focus should be:

“The greatest test of the quality of our preaching is whether or not it brings everyone to judgment. When the truth is preached, the Spirit of God brings each person face to face with God Himself.”

Consider how right Booth was about our times. The Holy Spirit is consider something “extra” by many “Christians.” Others assert their Christianity without being disciples of Christ or even acknowledging his redemptive work. We give folks the idea their sins are forgiven without them ever having acknowledged their sinful state and certainly without turning from their sin. We proclaim salvation without evidence of a new creation. There is obviously an absence of God in politics and we operate with the carrot of heaven, hiding the stick of hell. 

Is it any wonder the Church is weak? Should we be confused that the world finds the Church irrelevant? 

When a person comes to face to face with God, certain conclusions are unavoidable: He is holy. We are not. We can never be holy enough on our own. With our minds in spirits convinced of these facts we are ready to hear about Christ. We recognize the need for repentance and regeneration and the work of the Holy Spirit.

God has made a way, but there is no short cut.

He has made a way and the only way to blessing is to follow it.

Follow Him and  Be blessed.

Nick