They just learned how to spot swamp creatures and recognize how they operate. Then they see the same creatures and activities going on in the 'church world'?
Let's be honest, many in the church see them too. Come to think of it, if the swamp is running your church, time to leave. Not saying to judge the flock or any individual. "There is only one who can save and destroy: who are we?" But doesn't it seem to be a good time to be more cautious about the 'house' we've grown accustomed to?
So James gave us some advice about religion.
NKJV ****James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
No. No. Reclaim it.
Here is how: get some disgruntled local people around your kitchen table every Sunday, for Sunday "dinner' which is a little early, and talk about this. Talk, talk, talk.
After you have a consistent group of believers, showing up, and on the same page, for a month or so, decide your kitchen isn't big enough for them all, so it is time for you all, in a body, to go back to church.
Your mere presence, so many of you, obviously friends, and the looks on your faces, will pull things back toward tradition.
Money talks. When the church does right, smile and contribute. When they don't, when it talks leftist baloney, lose that smile, and keep your wallet closed.
This will be understood in time.
I do admire your heart and I do agree with the sentiment. But recognize we're not called to save institutions. And your church is your dinner table in your plan.
OK. Both locations are valid.
But I see no reason to cede institutions that lead the community, or say they do, speak for the community to politicians and teachers, who listen to them, took generations to build, and are essentially your own.
Yes religion can function underground. That doesn't mean it SHOULD voluntarily do that.
A community that won't fight for its church to represent it, is going to deserve that its church DOES represent it, even if falsely and badly. Ouch.
Yes, if it is truly impossible to recapture the local church, then yes, you keep everybody close, and impose a formal schedule of religious engagement at home. In fact, grace before meals, prayer before bed, prayer on rising, are all part of home life anyway.
So I hear you.
I think we're talking about different things. But we basically agree. This is why I wanted to highlight that verse.
What do we define in our own minds as religion? How do we define church?
We seem to be entering a season when even "the elect" may be deceived. So I'm just saying, let's be careful that we are not following a flock that is being let astray somehow.
At some point, maybe soon, there is only one 'church'.
Agree. It is absolutely necessary to do the mental work all alone, before you get involved religiously with other people.
You have to bring it with you. When you walk in, with some ideas already in place, core, you are a contributor. And as you say, inside us is the real arena.
And you should not check your common sense at the door, ever.
But having done that, there is another job involving others. But the inside work does come first.