This I found in a notebook - something I had written years ago. I just typed it out now omitting some, and added some [words of clarification] in brackets.
Originally written in December 2007
… I see many things and growing concerns of today. The styles of dress are more modest now than in the late 1990’s, but will never be like they were at one time when America was more of a Christian Nation. I wonder how long God will spare the world from the Hell it deserves. Although I guess people already have there own Hell. People seem blind to the fact that paradise can be found on earth - to a great extent - and hell likewise. In everyday life our attitudes and actions put us in our own little heaven or hell, which can free or enslave us throughout our time here on God’s green earth. It makes one wonder that if an individual on this earth cannot find peace within themselves [through Christ Jesus] and contentment with all God has given them, how can they even be admitted to the heavenly realm upon their death? I would not expect a poor man in a third world country to be content (although some are [no doubt]), but what about the relatively wealthy of the developed nations? I suppose it’s like the prayer in the Bible in which a man pleads with God to have his needs met, but not to be poor lest it cause him to steal, and not to be rich so that he can keep God as his treasure without the distractions wealth brings.
If ones [primary] goal is to succeed financially he will have difficulty growing spiritually.
I see children growing up without being taught, disciplined, or instructed in the correct way, and often times simply not at all. Some [“Christian”] parents actually let their children sleep in on Sunday morning, so the children lack the basic scripture teaching they deserve [which God requires parents to give their children]. In part the Sunday school classes for children are less valuable anyways, because they are designed simply to entertain the children or/and no real thought was put into them by the teacher - so the lesson fails to teach something valuable. Values are lost and degraded for the purpose of “growth” in the churches number of members, members which do not show up to church most of the time anyways [perhaps the problem itself, is that we concern ourselves with mere "values" rather than the "doctrines" of God's word - the reason for the value.]
Entertainment has stolen worship from church services. Often now people clap after someone sings in church. Before it was understood that such singing was for God’s glory, and to lead others to Christ, not as a performance that needs a “bravo, clap clap!”
Church also seems to be more of a business than a place of worship. …[Sometimes] it seems like if you can speak and want to help people, and get the training (got to have a degree nowadays) they want you to be a Pastor. No real faith or willingness to suffer for God required. The Biblical guidelines have been flushed down the toilet and a general [false] Love for everybody has taken its place. On the surface this does not seem or sound all Bad, many think (or like to think) that it is good. Church is about making people feel better about themselves, not about changing lives. It’s alright we all sin and you will always be a sinner, ask forgiveness and keep on sinning! Yeah! Do anything you want God forgives you! WRONG, this is the disease that is spreading, becoming a real follower of Christ changes your life - and you do not go on sinning - not as a lifestyle or regular part of life [we must count the cost, see Luke 14:26-35]. And so many are led astray by these false teachers. Political leaders lost their integrity years ago, but today church leaders are doing the same thing - God help us.
So how does one make a difference for the better? My first thought is to start a commune - but those go no where. Seclusion from the rest of the world helps no one. So then here lies the answer - to go back to the beginning and start again. What does that mean? Well start from a simple biblical example, gather together with fellow believers - those willing to loose everything for the sake of the cross - for the freedom of our souls by being born again - because we die to our self and our personal desires. Complacency kills. We need to give it all to Jesus, for as he said; it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The good news is that with God anything is possible. So will you be a “Christian” who goes to church to feel better about themselves and be forgiven - so you can sin some more, OR will you be a Christian who is willing to die to your own desires and be born as a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ? [Willing to conform your life to what the scriptures teach?] Of course what you may be thinking is that you are somewhere between these two extremes. What I’m telling you is that being a “Christian” and simply trying to do your best [in the manner that some “Christians” do] will Not bring you salvation. [Only God through Christ (and Grace through Faith) can save us.] The path is truly straight and narrow…[but oh! the grace God gives to those who will follow him.]
[If one claims to be a Christian and if after the passing of time they still live a sinful lifestyle and do not produce good fruit, coming to love the things of God and hating sin …what will become of them? (according to the scripture they will be)…“cast into the fire.” (Matthew 3:8-10, 7:17-27) To be clear, works save no man, (Faith in Christ saves us) but those who are saved will produce good fruit because they do the will of the Father in heaven. First comes the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, then we can produce good works for God. And yet the good works are not even our doing but God working in us and willing what he desires us to accomplish for his Glory.]
“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:3-7
“And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” -Titus 3:14
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:9-18