— Critical issues concerning the Church —

Fellow Soldier,

This matter qualifies for a Field Report because it’s hugely church-critical if many pews are filled by deceived sinners instead of converted saints (those “in Christ”). Evangelistic methodology, the Bible and long observation all suggest the possibility of such a colossal incongruity.  There are counterfeit dollars, DVDs and sadly ... make-believe Christians.

Please ... please hear us.  Our love of God, for the church and the Spirit’s urging, prompts this inquiry.  In so doing, we are not judging persons, motivations, integrity or character — just trying to be good Bereans (Acts 17:10).  We have long since learned the wisdom of searching Scripture to determine if what we’ve been taught, see and/or hear be true.  We therefore ask you to prayerfully consider the following.

Religious Sinner or Converted Saint?

“Repentance unto life” is likely the defining difference.

(Jesus said) "... repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Lk 24:47)

For years, I characterized as “radical,” what occurred 10:20 on the morning of April 7, 1976 at a monastery some 7500 feet up in the Sangre de Christo mountains of northern NM.  Namely, yours truly had been born-again (converted).

No ... doubt ... about it!

Diane dropped off a tearfully broken being and three days later, picked up a brand new man.  I was alive in Christ!  My sins were forgiven and I was brimming with joy and hope as a son of God.  She didn’t know whether to run, pass or punt regarding that miracle bouncing up and down in our VW van’s passenger seat as she drove the 30 miles back to Santa Fe.

However, I eventually realized my experience was (biblically) normal.  It merely seemed “radical” because of its apparent scarcity in today’s church.  Nowadays, most gain access to our Lord’s flock through the swinging gates of “making a decision for Christ” or recitation of a “sinner’s prayer.”  Others are told they’re sheep after raising a hand so the meeting’s leader could pray them into the fold “with all heads bowed and every eye closed.”  Countless others are similarly invited into the church through radio, TV and tracts.  But hey; if they are converted (born-again) why fuss about the mechanics?

Ah ... there’s the rub: many weren’t and still aren’t.

The only way “converted” applies is, many were turned into religious persons. They might even become regular church-goers, fine workers or leaders who are sincere, earnest and diligent.  Nevertheless, not born-again ... just deceived; counterfeit Christians within to confuse and mislead.  Job labeled them “rabble” (Job 30:12) — Jesus called them “goats” and “tares” and Moses termed the result a “mixed multitude” (Ex 12:38; Nu 11:4).  “They are tragic victims of a subtle, yet potentially fatal deception,” notes one evangelist.  Explaining: “The strategy of Satan has been ... to raise up false apostles, who influence false teachers to teach false gospels about false Christs for the purpose of producing false Christians with false hope.”¹ Granted, some do get converted through extra-biblical methods but those who do not, can become unjustifiably secure and confident that they are abiding in Christ.  To their eternal peril!  (see Lk 13:23-30)

Though this condition existed with God’s initial “elect” at Mt. Sinai (Exod 19) and from the Church’s beginning (Acts 2) it’s been exacerbated by today’s approach to “growing” the church.  Notably, through the business methods of doctors Schuller, Hybels, Warren and their prolific progeny.  They have molded and marketed the church according to “felt needs” of constituents; the appetites and proclivities of the unchurched.  Those who, like all of us prior to conversion, clearly do not want to be told they are sinners; that they’ve incurred God’s wrath; that the end thereof is an eternal lake of fire, that they need a Savior and must repent.  Therefore ...

The doctrinal diet of that Seeker Sensitive movement and its derivatives is not the Good News, but “nice” news — purged of sin, repentance, blood, hell, death, holy living, etc.  Indeed, of anything that discomforts the sin nature.  Their beggarly fare is wrapped in upbeat, worldly music and often taught via paraphrased Bibles in “campuses” devoid of anything spiritually uplifting or offensive to the carnal man.  Certification of Christianhood is all but assured by showing up and “making a decision for Christ” (with a cuppa cappuccino if that makes the seeker more comfortable).  Only God knows how many have truly repented unto life, or are merely sin-sorry (2Cor 7:9-11).

What Saith God?

Let’s consider this matter against the backdrop of, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Ro 3:23) — "For the wages of sin is death" (Ro 6:23a).  Jesus said "... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk 13:3b). "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 18:3, underlining added).  Combined, these declare all are death-bound sinners and the only way out is being born-again into Christ Jesus.  It’s understood that grace and faith are key — but what does repent and be converted mean?

There are two kinds of repentance: legal and godly: legal, prompted by fear of punishment for bad conduct.  However, godly sorrow of 2Cor 7:9-11 is a “deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of His holy law and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence ... it is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.”² Preaching human guilt before God’s Law and the whole demand of His righteousness, shows our desperate need for a Savior; for Jesus.  It reveals the imperative of true repentance in order to be born-again.  Tragically, all who do not accept this gracious gift of life are destined for the eternal lake of fire (Rev 19-20).

Biblical repentance transcends mere mental ascent and is not a “work,” but a means of God’s grace (Acts 11:18; 2Tim 2:25).  He grants it to those having a Spirit-prompted conviction to change and a heart-felt resolve to turn to Him.  However, if that decision does not translate to changed behavior and thereby provide evidence of conversion, it falls biblically short.  Repent means to first turn from, then turn to.  From idols to God. Not that Kingdom converts are entirely aware, but they go from decision-to-declaration-to-doing.  From the kingdoms of this world — to the Kingdom of God.  From traditions of men, to trusting Him.  From getting to giving ... selfish to service ... hate to love.  From Satan to Savior.  From vengeance to forgiveness.  From fear to faith, death to life.  Change!

Conversion connotes a complete reversal in moral and mental direction.  A new and changed life.  Moreover, that change begins immediately because at the moment of regeneration, every convert is gifted and indwelt by God’s enabling Spirit (grace).  Only divine power is able to transform hearts responding to faith in Christ; to convert them.  We are saved by (that) grace through faith (Eph 2:8) and converted from one kind, to another.  From a satanic-captive and hell-bound sinner, to a born-again, Spirit-enabled saint.  This miracle change is both instant and ongoing (sanctified and progressive sanctification).  Jesus calls for a changed life, not merely a decision.  There must be change corresponding to one’s confession (Ro 10:9,10).  Paul declared: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2Cor 5:17).  New connotes conspicuously different and better; like a new pair of shoes or a car.  Likewise, a convert (Christian) should progressively think, speak and behave more like Christ.  Inescapably implicit in conversion’s hallmark of “change,” is the rational/biblical conclusion:

No change ... no conversion

With a man-made, better-living-with-Jesus gospel aimed for decisions instead of conversions, sinners are offered hope for self improvement through religious works.  In place of the 1Thess 1:8-10 demand to turn from idols to God, they are baited with a slick, user-friendly gospel not requiring the need to repent, die to self or abide in Christ.  However, without repentance, Christ can simply be added to the universal idol of self, in whose service many choose to remain.  Switching from conversions to decisions, though seemingly minor, opens a chasm as wide and deep as that between heaven and hell.

Jesus, all His apostles and disciples preached repentance — also the “perish” penalty for noncompliance (Mt 9:13, etc.; Lk 13:1-5).  His edict to all is "Repent and believe the Gospel" (Mk 1:15).  He later charged His disciples: "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Lk 24:47).  Because it is central to the Kingdom of God and essential for conversion, He commanded us to first repent, follow Him and then make disciples ... not “decisioners.”  Though uncertain about the latter ... converts are conspicuously changed critters.  Respectfully, we ask: can a just God grant eternal life to one who does not biblically repent* before “making a decision”? (*humbly crumble and break)

Because man’s methods are substituted for the Bible’s, churches are now rife with sinners lacking godly sorrow.  No doubt, many legally repent of sin, but can then become Colossians-two, drink-not-touch-not religious persons who talk-the-talk and are immersed in and led by those of like tragedy.  Blind sinners.  We fear for Jesus’ audience of: "I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity" (Lk 13:27).  Oh, holy Father!  Be merciful.  Convict, humble and break us.  We plead repentance unto eternal life be granted to all who’ve been deceived in Your name.

1. Mike Gendron — http//pro-gospel.org     2. Webster, 1828 edition

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