|
Counterfeit Conversions
By DR. RONALD WILLIAMS, Director HEPHZIBAH HOUSE 508 SCHOOL STREET WINONA LAKE, INDIANA 46590 www.hephzibahhouse.org E-MAIL: hephzibah@kconline.com Counseling with our HEPHZIBAH students provides insights into the contemporary spiritual climate of American fundamentalism. Because our students come from fundamental, Bible-believing homes across the land, we get a unique representation of the attitudes, thinking and life-style of American "Christian" youth. This sampling, of course, is not scientific, and because of our work being small, the conclusions I reach on the basis of our student census may be somewhat skewed. However, when I combine my observations of the students with my observations of the churches in which I minister across the land, I believe I can arrive at some fairly well-informed conclusions. Four Illustrations Of Lawless Men Agur ("gatherer") wrote of four distinct generations in Proverbs 30:11-14. He initially pictures a generation that will mistreat and disrespect their own parents (30:11). Paul indicates this grievous and unnatural sin will be a distinguishing mark of the perilous "last days" (2 Timothy 3:1-3). Secondarily, Agur portrays a generation deceived about their own personal righteousness and standing with God ,who, though they live wickedly, are convinced they are in a right relationship with God (30:12). Our Lord Jesus explains these hypocrites are often self-deceived, actively religious, and morally pretentious souls who are even further deceived by the sheer magnitude of their numbers ("many will say to me" Matthew 7:22). The third distinct generation Agur pictures are those spiritually deceived by their pride (30:13). Such haughty personalities are intoxicated with their exalted view of self, and as such cannot receive the grace of God (James 4:6). In his concluding generation, Agur describes selfish, venal and greedy persons who are not hindered by moral scruples (30:14). This is reminiscent of the common characterization of our present "me generation." Aside from possibly describing our contemporary age as "Corinthian" or "Laodicean" (Revelation 3:14-22), I do not believe Agur could have written more accurate proverbs for the age in which we live; he is as up-to-date as today’s newspaper. Of the four groups Agur described, I am most concerned about the second. "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness" (Proverbs 30:12). This group not only encompasses the culpable hypocrite, it also includes those genuinely deceived about their personal standing with a Holy God. Though most of our Hephzibah students could be placed in each of the four groups or "generations," it is the problem manifested in this second generation that is the most spiritually lethal, and wherein most of them live in my opinion. Second Advent Professors Though all church-age believers have lived in the imminent expectation of our Lord’s return, we are surely closer now, and can "see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). Despite living in days wherein signs of His appearing abound (2 Timothy 3:1-4), many youth from fundamental, Bible-believing homes are living lives that give the appearance of moral and spiritual impoverishment. Though knowing the forms, rituals and "language" of our faith, their lives and testimonies deny the faith they profess (2 Timothy 3:5). Such youth pay lip service to the confessions of their believing parents, but are inwardly bereft of their spiritual significance. Dramatic, profound and life-changing conversions were the rule during the revivals and spiritual awakenings of the past. They are happening now by the grace of God in third-world countries. Whole towns and even whole regions would be decisively affected by such dramatic conversions. There seems to be a paucity of such radical conversions in our ranks today. Many of our youth have made empty professions that produce fruitless lives of a religious carnality; a spiritual facade over a life devoid of real spiritual substance. Our jaded youth seek entertainment rather than avenues of service, and enjoyment rather than sacrifice. Slavery to styles, fads and fashions reveals a citizen of this world, not the next. Addiction to television, Hellish music and the whimsical, capricious values of their "crowd" indicate an old nature, not a new one. Disrespect, dishonor and disloyalty to parents and pastor all point to a fallen nature, not a conversion. Moreover, a sinful, immoral, hedonistic manner of life devoid of divine chastisement proves an illegitimate birth, not just a believer who has become worldly (Hebrews 12:6-8). I think we have no alternative but to acknowledge we have witnessed many "still births" and empty professions. Bonafide repentance produces salvation not to be repented of (2 Corinthians 7:10), not to be denied or forgotten at the first protest of one’s flesh, or pressure from the world (Matthew 13:18-23). We need to remember our Saviour’s haunting adjective "many" (Matthew 7:22) will be deceived about their professions as compared to the relative "few" who are on the narrow path leading through the strait gate (Matthew 7:13-14). As we observe young people with no thirst for Scriptures, no heart for God, no desire for righteousness, no concept of sin, no genuine understanding of holiness, and obviously enslaved to their lower nature; it behooves us to challenge their salvation despite their sincere professions of faith. Unthinking acceptance of such professions is a little like remarking how much like the real person the cadaver in the coffin has been made to appear. No amount of skill on behalf of the mortician, no amount of cosmetic artistry, can make life out of death! Genuine Conversion Described Scripture takes pains to describe a change of eternal and dramatic dimensions when genuine conversion takes place. Ezekiel prophesied of this dramatic personal event, emphasizing a new spirit and a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26). John emphasized such a miraculous transformation is outside the pale of human achievement, and must of necessity be of God (John 1:13). Christ declared this event in comparison with human birth (it happens at a definite point in time and is a miracle), and is an absolute prerequisite for entrance into the Kingdom of God (John 3:1-8). Paul emphasized the dramatic and startling personal change wrought by conversion by highlighting such a new believer is a "new creature" by virtue of now having the Spirit of Christ within, a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). The verb tenses in this verse underline the decisive change and abiding results. This same Paul in another epistle explains genuine conversion results in dramatic change from the old life (Ephesians 4:17-32). Miraculous, sudden, dramatic, life-changing, eternal, God-wrought, fruit-producing, persevering . . . as we look at this partial listing of Biblical adjectives and concepts describing Scriptural conversion, and we apply these as a measure against the professions of the average youth group of the average fundamental church, what conclusions can a sober analysis draw? For that matter, how would the testimony of the adult listeners in the Sunday morning service compare to this spiritual litmus test? Weeds In Our Garden And Pigs In The Parlor A mixed multitude left Egypt; Godless mixed in with the Godly; tares are growing with the wheat (Matthew 7:22-23). How many are as Judas: religious, in company with believers, holding a position of responsibility, but lost! Isaiah warned of many honoring God with their lips, but their heart is far from Him (Mark 7:6). Paul warned of dramatic, audible professions of faith which are denied by their manner of life (Titus 1:16). Solomon describes it as "burning lips and a wicked heart ... " (Proverbs 26:23). As we grieve over the worldliness, carnality and disobedience of professing Christians (young and old alike), it is incumbent upon us to stop excusing this as a phenomenon of the wicked age in which we live and pray, teach and work, for their genuine salvation. We have sows returning to mire and dogs to vomit because their nature was never changed! V |
|
|
|