LOST CHURCH IN A LOST WORLD (1)

There was a time when the Church though not as large had such an unquestionable and undoubtedly a spiritual impact on people and nations. The church at that time was highly persecuted yet church folks had undeniable convictions and deep spiritual encounters with the LORD that totally changed the course of the lives of the then believers. In addition to their convictions, men and women gave their lives fully for the gospel. Infact at that time were borne songs like 'I have decided to follow Jesus', 'Follow, follow I will follow Jesus' 'It is enough that Jesus died for me' and other deep heartfelt songs that God's people sang with passion. Being among those who got to meet the Lord at the height of the revival in the 1980s, I often wonder if the gospel we received that cut to the heart and brought about great repentance and decisions to lay all aside, forsake our sin and follow Jesus, is the same in the church today. Its not in our place to judge of course but salvation has fruit and Jesus says we need to produce fruits of repentance if we really have believed. It therefore goes to say that we need to see something to prove the effect of this gospel. The Master Himself declared that by their fruits you shall know them. Followers of Christ are KNOWN by their fruit not by their proffession nor confession! They are not perfect but being perfected and their profitting from the effects of the gospel is SEEN by all. The church was set up by Jesus to be the ground and pillar of truth. It was set up to be the lightbearer of this dark world. It was set up so that when those who are lost and without God look to the church they find direction, order, safety and hope in the church. Now the church has become a place for display of titles, status and quest for more and our insatiable appetites of course never having enough as our so called prayers are filled with ME, MYSELF and I requests. The then Church was a GOING Church and a DOING Church. Their quest was what the Lord will have them do, even at the expense of their lives. The Church today is babysitting, sleeping, complacent and totally oblivious. Compassion in the heart that drove men and women to their knees to ask God to move in the hearts of men is no longer or should I say minimally existent. Sadly enough is that there are countless 'prayer meetings/programs' going on and its been my question, how come there seems to be 'so much prayer', people cracking voices, risking their lives going for night vigils and prayer camps yet very little effect and few answers! Is God Baal? It is simply the evidence of a Lost Church in a Lost World! Just as the world is crying the Church which should be the house of succour and safety is equally crying; lost and uncertain. The Aluu4 that lost their lives in such savegery and in a gruesome manner is proof of the decadence that exists and the complacency in the Church. Its time we woke up to our heavenly call. Its time we rise up and make a difference by taking proactive steps to truly change our world. Its time to influence our world by breaking down our church walls and become God's people on a deliberate mission. Its a season for mission-minded people. Its time to live our purpose-BEING THE LIGHT in this dark world. Its time to live out the true convictions of our faith-Jesus is real and alive and can revolutionize our world if only His people will let Him!!! God bless See you next time! www.chinelodillimono.com