Casual Christianity is not Biblical

It has become increasingly commonplace to read articles deriding the deeper Christian life and especially Spiritual Warfare suggesting this denies grace and liberty in the gospel. 

Even though Christ often prayed all night and interceded with an intensity that His sweat was described as blood, many only remember He said “His yoke is easy and His burden light”.  The new ease in Zion is becoming a contagious plague and rulers have no reason to fear the Prophets of God who once heard the most classified conversations from their prayer chambers and fried soldiers sent to arrest them. Did you not read of these in your Bible?  How do you not wonder that instead many in Christian leadership today are openly used as pawns to secure the power base of politicians? Why is the culture appearing to gain an upper hand? I heard only yesterday on Albert Mohler Daily Briefing(listen to this briefing to the end) that the Police in Los Angeles will now enforce by inspections a new law passed on Tuesday mandating use of condoms in porn films – (do not laugh) ... where would you start ? One only hopes this does not lead to an upsurge in applicants to the L.A. Police ... and what would happen to Christians who refuse to participate in spot checks?

Elijah declared “ I hear the sound of abundance of rain “ and retired into deep intercession as Ahab rode off... today many ride off and either say prosperity is not in the Bible or that it is only what is in the Bible and then portray, out of perhaps both ignorance and sloth, deep intercession as "paganism".  Worship has become something else and when you see the video below, you may be saying “so what ... God is not bound by our traditions” or – just say “thank God my choir will never be like that”... either way your ease is a slow murderer.

There are five drivers for the new ease in Zion.

1. The need to remove the barriers to entry into the Kingdom (like one of Michael Porter’s five forces) ... making it easier to be a Christian will mean more Christians. (This is a business marketing strategy paradigm)
2. Paucity of expository preaching and lack of complete understanding or familiarity with the scriptures.... (Expository...what!!!)...many leaders gathering crowds strutting on the stage are simply inadequately prepared and equipped - if called.
3. Social, financial, medical and other safety nets especially in richer western nations and a culture of independence makes depending on God for “daily bread” ludicrous backed up with an overwhelming world-view that boasts like Goliath waiting for a David.
4. A flood of comforts, luxuries, pleasures and delicious lifestyles – of which we cannot contemplate the slightest urge to surrender to know God... God who will not compete with attachments to our culture/lifestyle.  Still “ I surrender all” tops the gospel music charts.
5. Extreme counterfeits of spiritual warfare that have caused many to just want to have nothing to do with it. The counterfeiting of treasure is only evidence of its real worth.

The battles of today are more intelligent and are waged within the fold even more than outside.  Today’s Christians will complain, murmur  or analyse what went wrong as they sing, dance, write books and act out shows and dramas on the stage that used to shake principalities and pull down strongholds.  Many congregations are uncomfortable with the supernatural and how to deal with it while little kids embrace it easily through “Harry Potter” fare.  Paul could only make progress in his evangelism after challenging the witchcraft and demons that had seized islands – causing vipers coiling round his arms to be shaken into fires ... we want to do evangelism with T-shirts and a rock band.  Plainly put, it does not work ... just wait a while.  Those who are not admitted as sheep through Christ will hear eventually the voice of strangers and soon only ravage the sheep-fold.  What else do you expect?

Today, we ask God to bless our choices, plans and good deeds while He waits for us to be transformed and respond to His choice already made for us. Did we not read that scales fell off the eyes of Paul as He encountered God on the way to Damascus ...and that he was transformed to a new man – ready to spend and be spent ( ... not trying to make a name for himself). Has my old life gone through a transformation the way a caterpillar changes to a butterfly?

It is time to pray for our nation, pray for our neighbourhoods, war in the spirit concerning the culture, claim back our teenagers and youths, fight for our colleges, knock the doors of heaven until He gives us Godly political leadership again. Elijah prayed and was connected to the God who shuts and open the Heavens ... and abundance was released again.

Amos 6[1]  WOE TO those who are at ease in Zion and to those on the mountain of Samaria who are careless and feel secure, the notable men of the chief [because chosen by God] of the nations, to whom the house of Israel comes! [2]  Pass over to Calneh and see, and from there go to Hamath the great [city, north of Damascus]; then go down to Gath of the Philistines. Are they better than these [your] kingdoms? Or are their boundaries greater than your boundaries, [3]  O you who put far away the evil day [of punishment], yet cause the sitting of violence [upon you] to come near? [4]  Woe to those who lie upon beds of ivory and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock and the calves out of the midst of the stall, [5]  Who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp and invent for themselves instruments of music like David's, [6]  Who drink wine in bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved and sick at heart over the affliction and ruin of Joseph (Israel)!  (amp)

Revelation 3[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Let go of the past; the errors, mistakes, wanderings, foolishness and most importantly – the ease in Zion.  Elders, prophets, men and women of God ... Stand up for Jesus ... God needs us to fast and intercede now more than ever within our local and global context as He sends His divine help...His Rain of Heaven.

Please also read these related posts.  No longer at Ease in Zion by Onuzo and Rain of Heaven – God’s Wealth in Author's Blog.  God bless you.