This past week, the Governor of New York signed a bill strengthening abortion rights in his state. Abortions can now be performed past 24 weeks gestation, right up to the child’s due date. Charisma News sent a link to an article written by Pastor Shane Idleman, Westside Christian Fellowship, in California. (I’ve included that link to that article at the end of this devotion.)
While the subject of the article broke my heart, there was one sentence Pastor Idleman wrote that spoke to me personally. “The silent pulpit is not God’s pulpit.”
He then went on to say, “Today, the truth is often neglected, watered down or avoided altogether in the hope of not offending and building an audience. Abortion is rarely mentioned, so repentance is rarely sought and hope is elusive. We want to build a church rather than break a heart, be politically correct rather than biblically correct, coddle and comfort rather than stir and convict.”
At “The Way Church” we are not silent. We have taken note that the church today would rather meet the wants of an audience than their deepest needs. She will do anything to grow, even if it means compromising biblical truth, eliminating parts of the Scripture thought offensive, or trying to change the unchanging nature of our God. We will not do that.
I see people bolder on Facebook than pastors behind pulpits, but I truly believe that’s about to change. I truly believe that judgment is coming, first to the house of God. Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” [Matt 10:34}
That sword will divide those who are willing to compromise from those who will stand firm on biblical truths. It won’t be pleasant, but it will be God moving. I pray that I and my church are moving with Him!
