"IT BEGAN With REPENTANCE"
Posted by: prophetic <prophetic@...>
-by David Wilkerson.
The church as we know it today began with repentance. When
Peter preached the cross at Pentecost, thousands came to Christ.
This new church was made up of one body, consisting of all races,
filled with love for one another. Its corporate life was marked by
evangelism, a spirit of sacrifice, even martyrdom.
The wonderful beginning reflects Gods word to Jeremiah: I had
planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed (Jeremiah 2:21).
Yet the Lords next words describe what often happens to such
works: How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a
strange vine unto me? (2:21). God was saying, I planted you right.
You were mine, bearing my name and nature. But now youve
turned degenerate.
What caused this degeneration in the church? It always has been,
and will continue to be, idolatry. God is speaking of idolatry when
he says to Jeremiah, My people have changed their glory for that
which doth not profit (2:11).
Most Christian teaching today identifies an idol as anything that
comes between Gods people and himself. Yet thats only a partial
description of idolatry.
Idolatry has to do with a much deeper heart issue. The number-one
idol among Gods people isnt adultery, pornography or alcohol. Its
a much more powerful lust. What is this idol? Its a driving ambition
for success. And it even has a doctrine to justify it.
The idolatry of being successful describes many in Gods house
today. These people are upright, morally clean, full of good works.
But theyve set up an idol of ambition in their hearts, and they
cant be shaken from it.
God loves to bless his people. He wants his people to succeed in
all they undertake honestly. But there is now a raging spirit in the
land that is overtaking multitudesthis is the spirit of love for
recognition and acquiring of things.
A man of the world said recently, He who dies with the most toys
wins. Tragically, Christians, too, are caught up in this pursuit.
How far we have strayed from the gospel of living through dying to
self, ego, and worldly ambition.
SOURCE - http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/11167
(c)2010 World Challenge, Inc.
You are welcome to make copies for FREE distribution or retransmit
the devotional via e-mail, but all devotionals must be copied or
retransmitted in their entirety. However, devotionals may not be
posted on any website, printed, or used in any media without
written permission from World Challenge, Inc. Each request is
considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact World
Challenge, Inc. using our online contact form [
http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/contact ] or by calling
(903) 963-8626
------------------------