List some compromises the church has made by marrying the world. How do these impact you today? BIB 547-1-5-7

The gospel of Jesus couldn't have been any simpler then as presented by Paul, after all, Paul was directly tutored by the Master himself. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV.

Of course the mention of the politically incorrect word sin seems to be outdated in today’s prosperity oriented churches. Add to that the inference that Jesus died for those very sins and that salvation is through Jesus; how very intolerant. Fold in a little of the concept that marriage is between one man and one women, outdated.

When did it start to go so wrong? After many years of persecution of the early church Constantine stopped the torture and killing of Christians. Constantine did away with gladiatorial fights, stopped most of the killing of unwanted children and crucifixion. Nevertheless, he became the head of the church and advanced Christians to high offices, a marriage of church and state. He declared Sunday a day of worship, good in that it gave slaves a day rest, however, was in keeping with pagan celebrations. So addition to a marriage between church and state, now there also was a marriage with pagan beliefs.

Today we have the televangelists who have, in my opinion, gone the way of Balaam in a marriage with the world. Like Balaam they are “hireling” marketing their gifts; being good speakers for one. As they are “Sacrificing eternal riches for temporal gain,” perhaps they are forgetting that someday they’ll stand in judgment for casting stumbling blocks before those who might have otherwise become believers.

I was surfing the net looking for a CNN interview where Joel Osteen was asked if he concerning homosexuality to be a sin. What is found was a pastor from Atlanta, Georgia who said. “As I have been saying for years, these mega preachers are not "Christians" at all, but work for Satan!! They are a part of a bigger agenda, which is to influence the public into embracing a counterfeit, un-biblical Messiah.” That’s why the Bible told you that a friend of the world is an enemy to God! The fact that millions of people believe this man is a pastor of God, proves once again that many Christians DON'T READ THIER BIBLES.” That seemed to me to be a little harsh; however, those not teaching Biblical truth are doing Satan’s bidding, again, casting stumbling blocks.

Next week we study “The Woman Who Rides the Beast” so to continue then with perhaps one of the greatest soul corrupting religions.

So how did this impact me today? Since I left my church families in Arizona to stay in California for an indefinite amount of time, I feel no real pull from any of the churches here. I’m content for now to get my spiritual food from KI.