The God Delusion

He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. (Isaiah 66:3-5)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (Thessalonians 2:10-12)

Like many other serious-minded believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who are engaged in "earnestly contending for the faith" as commended by the Holy Writ, I find myself continually aghast and astonished by the increasingly brazen heresy, apostasy, and downright blasphemy which is espoused by so many within the professing church.

Just this afternoon my wife overheard a disc jockey on Air1 - a supposedly contemporary Christian radio station - make the pronouncement on air that she "didn't think children liked stuffy judgmental men which is why she thinks Jesus was like a clown." This abject, unrepentant spiritual harlot went on to debase herself even further - as if it were possible - by explaining that she "envisioned Jesus as being like Rick Warren, a funny guy wearing a Hawaiian tee shirt." This is blasphemy!

HOW LONG, OH LORD?!?

There was a time when men of God would boldly stand forth and publicly rebuke the myriad gross errors that are even now metastasizing within the Body of Christ. These mighty men of God were the true "Christ followers", not the namby-pamby men in skirts of today's "emergent conversation" replete with their stylish eye wear, their foppish haircuts, and their slick snake-oil-salesman, plasticized, post-modern packaging. True men of God are faithful, humble shepherds of Christ's little flock who will have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather will reprove them. These men, true Godly leaders will stand firm upon the solid foundation of the Rock of Ages - Christ Jesus - and will unflinchingly expound His truth, His law, His wrath and His gospel to the glory of the Father.

Christ's foot soldiers aren't interested in the latest poll data nor are they concerned with the seeker's sensitivities! Rather they are interested in pulling souls from the greedily licking flames of hell as the Lord adds them daily unto His church!

Oh, that as Christ's foot soldiers we would gird ourselves for the battle at hand, that we would put on the whole armor of God, lift the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit and charge into the fray! Oh, that we would warn the sinner of the judgment that is nigh, even at the door! Oh, that we would show more concern for the incorruptible King of Glory than for the corrupted vainglory we receive of men!

Truly the judgment of God is falling upon this sin sick and dying world and the raging apostasy we are witnessing among those who profess Christ is as sure and certain a judgment as any that fell aforetime upon the sons of Sodom, Gomorrah or Egypt!

Our God is awesome and terrible in judgment and perfect in power. He is absolutely sovereign and is unfolding the scroll of history according to His good and perfect will. Beware oh man who has said in his heart, "there is no God" for you are a fool! How will you escape the punishment to come? Even now I am persuaded that God Almighty Himself is giving men over to the lusts of their hearts and sending a strong delusion among the goats and the tares, that they would believe the lie.

It's the same old lie that the beguiling serpent told Eve in the garden, and it still holds the same powerful allure to sinful man today as it ever did in ages long past; it begins with "Yea, hath God said?", then progresses to "ye shall be as gods" but the end thereof is cursing and death.

Friend, hold fast to the truth of Jesus Christ crucified, dead, buried and resurrected and to the faithful and sure testimony of His Word. Cling to it as if it were your life preserver in the middle of a vast and featureless ocean, because that's precisely what it is to those who believe.