“And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Jude 1:22-23 (ESV)
There is a huge difference between honest wrestling with doubts and being shackled with unbelief, compromise and rebellion. Doubt can lead to freedom as we honestly seek out the truth. We are to help those who doubt move toward faith. But rebellion and compromise are intentional and require “hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” Truth is the only remedy. We are not to embrace rebellion or sin. Those who are caught in bondage need truth to be snatched from the fire, not to be embraced and affirmed in their sin! And leaders who affirm instead of confronting in truth will be held responsible, because leaders are held to a higher standard of accountability (James 3:1).
If your church is affirming sin, leave! If sin is allowed, whether publicly embraced or quietly ignored, leave! Jesus is looking for a pure Bride, not a compromising, affirming one. And if your church begins to enforce mandates leave! BTW, the church is essential and not to be dictated by the fear of man.
Loving people is speaking the truth, not simply letting people do whatever they want. It is not love to ignore sin. Loving people requires us to confront sin, not affirm it. The LGBTQ agenda is about hijacking our children. They have not been quiet about it. They have blatantly said, they are coming after our kids. That is because they can’t have their own! And our children are the next generation of leaders in our nation. What we ignore and affirm today will become the cultural norm tomorrow. We must act on it, and that may mean you standing, even leaving your current church to go to one that honors the Word of God! Churches that don’t speak the truth are not setting people free. Affirming churches simply try to make people feel better in their shackles!
Pray for your church and pastor, for a renewed fear of the Lord to grip your church and especially the pulpit. If sin, compromise or rebellion is affirmed, in any way, cry out for mercy. Ask the Lord if you are supposed to stay in a church where sin is celebrated or affirmed. Ask God to show your pastor and church leadership the difference between those with honest doubt and those whose garments are stained by the flesh! Ask God to release a heightened awareness of the fear of the LORD in our city!
