A Word For the Days We Live In

January 27, 2009 in Development with 3 Comments

I’ve been listening to David Wilkerson of Time Square Church today.  He has been ministering for over 50 years and his church in Times Square represents over 100 nations.  He is, in my opinion, one of the most Godly men alive today.  He has warned of a coming economic crisis in America for decades.  He definately has the law of “EF Hutton” going on…you know…”when EF Hutton speaks people listen.”

Here is a recent message from him that really ministered to me today.  In addition to this, I ran across this quote that I want to share with you.  It really convicted me.  Conviction is not a bad word to me…it is God’s permission to change and set things right.  I have always thought to myself, especially when it comes to Biblical correction, if the shoe fits…wear it.
Pastor Wilkerson says,

I see many of the last Christians who were once lovers of God becoming shipwrecked by their obsessive love for pleasure. Lovers of God find no pleasure in drugs, illegitimate sex, alcohol, tobacco or smut. The devil knows that. Most of these fleshly pleasures offend and repulse the Christian. I see thousands of Christians sitting in theaters exposing themselves to degrading influences they once abhorred. They have not given themselves over to any particular sin but they have become very comfortable in their addiction to off-color movies, numerous parties, socials and wine-tasting. They really love God but they love their pleasures even more. They are not really sinners before God, just strangers to Him. They have become so busy swinging and trying to live a liberated Christian life that they have changed drastically without knowing what they have become. Christians have become social gadabouts who can’t find one hour any more to talk to God in a secret closet of prayer.

Excerpt from “The Vision and Beyond” David Wilkerson, page 49

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About John Lambert: I write to give you a window into my world and challenge you to not only believe the radical missional claims of Jesus Christ, but also to view faith in Him through a global perspective. Everything is up for discussion, so leave a comment after you check the comment policy. I live in Northern Thailand with my awesome wife and two sons. Thanks for joining in. Peace.

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3 Responses to “A Word For the Days We Live In”

  1. Frank Yensel January 28, 2009 at 12:56 am #

    I appreciate Pastor Wilkersons perspsctive, but some of the items mentioned do not make a person a sinner no more than being an ice cream addict, excessive food lover, or living life to excess. I agree some of these things can be distractions for some people, but legalism for the sake of legalism drives peopel away from Christ too. I attend a church in Columbus, OH which is a bible oriented fellowship. They would be considered by some Southern Baptists, ( not picking on them mind you, just an example), as missing the mark due to their tolerance of others. They overlook the fact that some peole smoke, or drink , dance, go to the movies or any number of activities another church might find offensive. That dosen’t make tham less of a Christian. Look at their website, XENOS.org and see for yourself that many who see their walk differently can still be very effective for Christ and be saved as well.

  2. spreadtheflame January 28, 2009 at 4:50 pm #

    Thanks for writing in Frank. I agree with your first sentence, but I think you may be missing the point in what Wilkerson is talking about. He is speaking of an “obsessive love of pleasure.” Sure there are many who are at different levels in their walk and obedience to God…some Christians still struggle with finding their pleasure in things that can become harmful to them in excess or that are harmful to their spirits, no matter what measure they are using them. The real issue for me is whether or not I am drawing closer to God since I’ve become a believer or am I drifting closer to a love of pleasure.

    I am a lover of grace too. The grace of God has appeared to us…teaching us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions-Titus 2:12. What this means is something that the Holy Spirit has to interpret for us in our own lives. We can force convictions about eternal things on others, but we can exhort one another to get rid of the things that are keeping us from a great intimacy (not salvation) with God.

  3. spreadtheflame January 28, 2009 at 5:02 pm #

    I meant to say “we can’t force our convictions about EXTERNAL things on others” But maybe the Holy Spirit wanted to emphasize that love does force conviction on eternal things since that is the way I ended up writing it…LOL!…like forcing someone out of the way of a moving vehicle!

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