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by Chad Koons

Today you won’t get my diplomacy; today you will hear my heart. I am upset, and maybe you should be, too. Normally I will carefully labor over my blog posts, cautiously choosing my words and deeply considering how my message might be coming across… but no, not today.

There have been several public declarations of Christian leaders falling away from their faith, have you heard?

Warning: Straight talk ahead. I advise you, don’t read if you can’t handle it.

For one, Joshua Harris has quite famously abandoned Christ. But that’s not all. He’s also leaving his family and marching in gay pride parades. As a man of God, this infuriates me. Way to go, Joshua. Way to man up. It’s not like you owe anything to anyone, like allegiance to your wife and children, respect and attention to the flock of God entrusted to your care, or most of all your undying devotion to the Lord God Almighty who created and established you. I hope that you are enjoying the celebration that you’re receiving from those outside of the church, because you surely aren’t finding a warm reception from within the church. Nor should you expect to. In fact, the only reception that you’ll receive from the Lord is that of a prodigal son, should you choose to repent of your sin, which I sincerely hope that you do.

Next, famed worship leader Marty Samson has publicly stated that he is “genuinely losing” his faith. While I cannot fault him for his struggle—as quite frankly we all struggle at times—we’re just too self-conscious to show much of it. But Marty, did you need to openly lay it all out there? Your statements are extremely saddening. They portray a complete lack of respect for God and His ways. Almost as a slap in the face to Jesus and His Body, you had concluded by saying that you’re okay with it. Really? Have you really forgotten the fear of the Lord (hopefully you once knew it)? Here’s what really gets me about this: To me, Marty’s words do not sound like the words of a man genuinely struggling with his faith; they sound like the words of a man choosing to become his own lord by making up his own rules, deciding to pick and choose truths from the Bible as it suits him. If Marty’s plight affects you somehow, please genuinely pray for him.

I’ve observed that somehow many professing “Christians” are supportive of this sort of behavior, even emulating it themselves. How is it that we so lightly esteem Christ? Have we created a church culture wherein rebellion is celebrated as “being real”? Where is our consecration? How are we actually set apart?

People whom I’ve literally worshipped alongside of are currently on social media vehemently promoting abortion while mocking the Christians who are defending life. This is literally scripture come to life!

“From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:10).
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him” (Titus 1:16a).

Those who we have lavishly ministered to are giving themselves over to every whim of false teaching, allowing separation from the local church as they engage in drunkenness and promiscuity. They have deceived themselves and are seemingly quite happily living a double life.

I have watched while nearly every student from one particular local youth group has either fully embraced the gay, lesbian, or transgender lifestyles or are vocally supportive of it. Your LGBT social media filter betrays you, “Christian.”

These are but a few examples; I could go on all day. There are even entire ministries who have bowed the knee to sin and compromise while continuing to claim the banner of Jesus. Beloved, you have not so learned Christ.

Dear friends, culture is not your example. The Lord is. Come out from the darkness and live in the light of the Lord.

John Cooper of the band Skillet has recently stated that the Church needs reminding of the preeminence of the Word of God. Wait… the Church needs reminding?! Shouldn’t we already know this?

I would normally resolve a blog post with something positive. But not today. Let’s leave this right here. Raw, bleeding, and painful as it really is.

We don’t get to decide the truth. God does. If we don’t like it, then we must change, because no matter how we spin it, we are powerless to change the eternal Word of God. It is time to wake up, people. Fear the Lord before it is too late.

Are you afraid that we may turn people away? The more that we quietly “love people to Christ,” the quicker billions will slip unaware into Hell, and we will be left with blood on our hands. Open your mouth and declare the gospel, Child of God. The most impactful moments of our lives have come through confrontation.

It needs to be said. Get in or get out, but don’t play games with the Lord. You’re not doing any good by just sitting on the fence, lukewarm. God resists the proud but extends grace to the humble. Repent. Surrender. Only God can judge, and rest assured that He will. I leave you to make your choice in the light of His Word: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

(Huge shout out to Elisabeth Allen, editor and dear friend, for her contributions, time, and expertise!)

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