Whenever I criticize some churches, I don't do it because I hate the church. I do it because of my love for the church and my fervent desire for the church to reflect the true image of Christ Jesus.
I am a Christian and a baptized member of a church. I grew up studying the Bible. I was an active member as a kid in Children Evangelism Ministry (CEM) at the age of 8 at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Obudu Parish, Cross River State. From my JS 2 to SS 3, at NKST Secondary School, Adikpo, Kwande LGC of Benue State, I was an official in Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS).
I understand the Holy Bible even more than the course I studied in the University, that is why I have refused to swim in the ignorance and negligence going on in most of our churches today.
The main purpose of the church is a place of worship and soul-winning for Christ Jesus. Other activities are just secondary. But many churches today, have left the primary purpose of the church and made other issues as their top priorities at the detriment of winning souls for Christ Jesus.
In Matthew 21: 12-13 (KJV) the Bible says, "And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves.
"And said unto them, it is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer; but he have made it a den of thieves."
Many pastors today have turned the church into a den of thieves. They have become entrepreneurs in the house of God. They have substituted soul-winning of church members for their selfish interest. Many have used the church as a business. Making money at the detriment of church members and not bothered about their salvation.
The truth is many churches today need spiritual revolution. A very serious one. Some of these churches have misled many people by misinterpreting the Bible to suit their interests.
It is very obvious that Jesus and St. Paul talked about fake pastors and churches (Matt. 7:21-23; Matt. 7:15-20; Romans 16: 17-18; 2 Corinthians 11:10-13). So one should not be surprised when such things happen in some churches.
I am a journalist and I have seen cases of pastors and other church leaders caught in many scandals that put them in irredeemable situations.
I once attended a church (name withheld) which I was invited for a programme on a Sunday. The ushers of the church were mostly females who dressed in a very attractive way. I was ushered in and sandwiched between two girls who wore short skirts that exposed much of their laps and wore tops that their breasts were also exposed but not too much ( 1 Timothy 2:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 3:2-5; Proverbs 7:10; Proverbs 11:22; Proverbs 31:25).
I was confused where I sat. When I turned to my right and left I saw exposed breasts. When I looked down trying to open my Bible, I get caught by their laps. I could not give the service the absolute attention it needed because of the position I found myself.
When I looked round the church, I realized that many ladies dressed in such attractive way. These are issues that I applaud some churches such as NKST and Catholic. In terms of controlling indecent dressing to church, these churches are among other churches that have made significant impact in this regard.
Jesus knew that the church has two faces: the face that promotes spiritual deviltry and the face that promotes spiritual revolution for Christ Jesus. That was why he warned the people to be aware of fake prophets and those who use God's name to commit evil:
Matthew 7:15 (NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Matthew 24:24–25 (NKJV) “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.”
2 Corinthians 11:13–15 (NKJV) “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
Jeremiah 14:14 ( KJV) "Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV) "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
Unless there is strong spiritual revolution through revival in the church, spiritual deviltry will continue to prevail in many churches making it vulnerable to attacks by the forces darkness in this world.
May God have mercy on us all through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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