Introduction
Much is being said about the condition of the Church in our day. I hear many preachers citing 1 Peter 4:17 to affirm that God’s judgment begins within His own household:
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
This truth was as real in Peter’s time as it is now. The Church was under God’s searching judgment then, and it remains so today. While it is true that we stand nearer to Christ’s return simply because time has advanced, this does not mean that God’s judgment has grown more or less severe; rather, it has always been righteous, consistent, and purposeful.
Peter’s words remind us of a sobering order: the righteous are examined first. If those who belong to God are disciplined and refined, how much more certain and weighty will be the judgment of those who reject the gospel? If the Lord does not overlook sin among His own—those who are saved by grace—then the consequences for unrepentant sinners will be far more severe.
In our time, we are witnessing this reality unfold. Sin is being exposed within the Church, across America, and throughout the world. Hidden things are coming to light. Those in positions of influence and power have fallen, and more will follow. This is not confusion or chaos—it is the hand of God bringing truth into the open. We cannot pray for better times when prophecy reveals; wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and an ever increasing era of sin and debauchery. When God’s Word says it will happen it will happen.
The visible Church today is a mixture: there are the truly redeemed, and there are those who merely profess faith without possessing a genuine relationship with Christ. Many claim the name of believer, yet lack the transforming power of a life surrendered to Him. The church is full of professing Christians that will never see the Rapture nor the Kingdom of God. Reference the parable of the 10 virgins for proof of a coming shock in the Church. Matthew 25: 1-13.
A clear and safe way to examine the present condition of the Church is to turn to the book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. There, Christ addresses the seven churches, revealing both their strengths and their failures. By comparing our own churches—and our own hearts—to these examples, we gain a sobering and necessary perspective.
What follows is a brief summary of that comparison:
| Church | Good | Bad | Comment |
| Ephesus | Work hard, Active, Patient, Do not tolerate evil, don’t like self-appointed leaders, suffer but don’t quit. | Lost first love. Very dogmatic with narrow vision. Quick to accuse. Critical with little discernment. | Example – The Roman Catholic Church, Pharisees, Pentecostal Holiness, some Baptist. |
| Smyrna | Little money yet rich. Overcomers enduring all evil said of them. | Nothing bad said. They are a good (biblically speaking) church. | They are to remain faithful – even to death. Financial wealth is not their security. |
| Pergamum | Remain loyal to Jesus in spite of being a corrupt city. Never denied Jesus. | Holding the doctrine of Balaam Eating things sacrificed to idols Committing fornication Holding the doctrine of Nicolaitans. | Pergamum was Rome’s capital of Asia Minor. The city was deep in pagan worship and cultic practices. |
| Thyatira | Full of love, patience, service and endurance. And they continued to improve. | Permitting Jezebel to seduce My servants (Christians) to commit fornication Permitting her to seduce Christians to eat things sacrificed to idols Tolerating her in spite of impenitence | Where are the Shepard’s of these churches today who tolerate couples sleeping together who are not married, and those who practice fornication along with the “deep things of Satan”? |
| Sardis | Only some have not soiled their garments. | Having a name or reputation of being a live church, but “art dead” Works not perfect before God. Few godly members. | Read about clean garments below. |
| Philadelphia | Have little power but have kept the Word and have not denied His name. | No negative | “Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” |
| Laodicea | Nothing good to say of this Church. | Neither cold nor hot. Lukewarm and nauseating. Proud and self-satisfied Ignorant of true state | He is knocking at the door so “…be zealous and repent.” |
Now look at these attributes and then look at your Church, including ourselves for we are the Church. What are we allowing and tolerating and what do we condemn? Take this a step further and ask ourselves, what are we doing about it?
Because of these scriptures leveled at naysayers (righteous or not), fear prevails allowing false behavior within the Church.
Our Shepherds
I blame much of the Churches sins on the shepherd – the pastors and teachers who tolerate the behavior of their congregation. They must address the sins of the Churches in Revelation for they are the sins of our Church and they cannot be tolerated. We can give no regard to the size of your coffers and the size of your congregation when your members are dying and destined for eternal damnation.
“…many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.” 2 Peter 2:2
Shameful immorality is allowed to continue in our Churches going unchecked. As Paul did, can we safely say,
“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Acts 20:26-27 ESV
Some Churches shrink from the whole counsel of God, for many of us are caught up with the cares of the world and its pleasures (2 Peter 2:2 above). Our focus is always on gain and not on God; even if this focus is on Church size, its coffers for Church programs and even the number of souls that answered an altar call. We forget that answering an altar call does not add to the number of souls saved. Those who answer badly need disciplining or they will be as lost in the Church as they were before they came.
The Failure of Shepherds
I attribute much of the failure of the Church to its Pastors and Teachers and what they are teaching and preaching. Many look for something new to preach each Sunday to keep their congregation interested and entertained. Many times worship is not worship at all, but borders entertainment. Entertainment is fine, I personally love some of the Christian songs that are currently available. Entertainment, however is not worship. You can spiritually feel the difference. Those new in Christ who do not know the foundation teachings of the Gospel, may not. In many Churches discipleship programs are offered but their importance is not emphasized enough in all Churches. If these programs are not attended the seed planted will fall on fallow ground. I see new Christians sleeping in fornication, living with each other until marriage thinking they are justified. Dressing provocatively hoping to draw attention to their sexuality, lying, thinking that lying as they do is a “white lie”. “It’s okay if it doesn’t hurt anyone.” No! May this never be. A lie is a lie. This is an absolute.
Read Revelation again and look at the chart above again. Reread Ecclesiastics. Where does your Church fit? “…there is nothing new under the sun” the Preacher writes. Ecclesiastes 1:9”. The signs of the times do not change the Word of God. We have been taught in our culture (this is not taught in all cultures) that time in linear. This type of thinking is what some refer to as progress – things change for the better including God’s word – to fit the times we live in. Technically, socially, mentally and spiritually this is contemporary Religion and not Kingdom living. There is nothing wrong with linear thinking but there is another way. The Bible teaches that time can be circular.
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already
in the ages before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
This is the type of thinking that supports the Word, that God never changes. He and His Word do not change with time. What was still is.
“The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.” Ezekiel 31: 1 – 3 ESV
In another Church incident I have personally heard a Pastor preach that the shepherd’s purpose was to sheer the sheep. He never mentioned feeding the sheep. Today sheep (believers) are indeed being sheered. They do not know God’s word and will always follow a path of least resistance that satisfies personal desires and not God’s Word.
Counterfeit Grace
All believers need foundational teaching including many of the church leaders. We all need to hear doctrinal truths preached and taught. They need to be embedded into their consciousness. Instead leaders turn a blind eye of toleration to sin, not realizing they are accountable to God for their congregation. They are afraid of people thinking they are dogmatic by forcing members to understand the truth and behave a certain way. The message of “Grace” that is being taught is not grace at all. It is tolerance.
Recently I was made aware of a Pastor who was allowing members, who were elders, to live together until they were married. When the pastor was approached about this situation he said that the church chose to minister grace more than condemnation.
Much of what we believe involves our feelings. When we are immersed in feelings that seem good, we are often quick to call this God’s grace. Yet not every pleasant or affirming emotion is born of Him. Some are merely a counterfeit Grace—convincing, but false. When we say, “I am good, this is good, and I feel good about this,” we step onto dangerous ground. For goodness is never defined or verified by how we feel.
Scripture reminds us, “Only God is good.” This truth extends beyond people to all things we judge as good—including our emotions. Feelings, though powerful, are not reliable guides; they are subject to change and deception. Feelings must not sit in judgment over truth.
There is only one unchanging standard by which all things live and progress—including our feelings—and that is the Word of God. Where our feelings align with His truth, they may be received with confidence. Where they do not, they must be surrendered, no matter how right they seem. Believe this, you will be tested. Overcomers will receive their reward.
Fear of Judging
Fear of Judging People
There is a fear among believers in judging people and Churches. Let me make this as simple and straightforward as I can. Those who are not Christians, those who are lost, the unsaved are already judged. We are not to judge them. Why? Unless they repent their destination is written in the Word. If alive they may repent but that is between them and God. We are called only to witness Christ before them.
Those who are in Christ, Born Again and church members are to be judged by their fruits. That is how we will know them, that is how we are to judge them. Correcting them and bringing them back to truth.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16 ESV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-24 ESV
Fear of Judging Shepherds
We have a problem. I have heard it preach from the pulpit, “Don’t you dare say anything about a pastor or any of God’s anointed.” When it comes to the church we are attending or any church, we are warned from the pulpit using scriptures listed below placing a guilt trip on those who righteously question an elder’s teachings or actions.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority?” Romans 13:1-3 ESV
“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19 ESV
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
Judging church leadership is very dangerous. I would never suggest that believers outside of leadership should pass any condemnation of church leaders. The Bible does have strict warnings about this kind of judgment. Yet, they must be held accountable. See section below on Correcting Fellow Believers.
However, First things First
The early Church faced many of the same problem we do today. Paul addressed them as such:
“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?” 1 Corinthians 5:11-13
In spite of this Paul writes while imprisoned.
The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Philippians 1:17-18 ESV
Whatever the motive, was Christ being preached? We, on the other hand need to maintain our righteousness when speaking about any church, shepherd/teacher or saint. For we will be judged by every word that comes out or our mouths. How else will the righteous prevail? Are we to let false Prophets and unrighteous Pastors/Teachers have their way? Paul didn’t. Why should we?
Correcting Fellow Believers
Let me clarify what is said above making it simple to understand and apply. This is a very difficult thing to do and must be approached with much prayer.
- Be sure of your accusation and you are not just spreading gossip.
- Search the scriptures with two or three supporting scriptures being your guide.
- Approach the accused with love, not condemnation as the world does, to discuss the issue.
- If they accept the correction and repent (many fallen elite have done so), you have aided in restoring a saint from eminent disaster.
- If they do not accept the accusation, return to the accused with two or three witnesses.
- If he refuses to listen again, share the issue with the entire congregation in hope of restoration.
- If he refuses for a third time, “you must disregard him as though he were an outsider, on the same level as an unrepentant sinner”.
“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19 ESV
“If your fellow believer sins against you (or the congregation by teaching false doctrine or being engaged in sinful behavior), you must go to that one privately and attempt to resolve the matter. If he responds, your relationship is restored. But if his heart is closed to you, then go to him again, taking one or two others with you. You’ll be fulfilling what the Scripture teaches when it says, ‘Every word may be verified by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
And if he refuses to listen, then share the issue with the entire church in hopes of restoration. If he still refuses to respond, disregarding the fellowship of his church family, you must disregard him as though he were an outsider, on the same level as an unrepentant sinner.”
Note the sequence: approach in private, approach with witnesses, share with the Church – not outsiders. The Church needs to administer the Lord’s justice to its own without the assistance of nonbelievers (for example the news media or court).
“Furthermore, how dare you take a fellow believer to court! It is wrong to drag him before the unrighteous to settle a legal dispute. Isn’t it better to take him before God’s holy believers to settle the matter?” 1 Corinthians 6:1 TPT
The Bride of Christ
We, the coming bride of Christ are to be spotless.
“So that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:27 ESV
This is not so at the moment, we are not spotless, but the Holy Word tells us how and when this will happen. Continuously watching for Christ’s return involves living a life of righteousness and faith, which is symbolizes by keeping our spiritual garments clean. This is true for all the five-fold ministries as well as all professing saints. This will not happen without the help of the Holy Spirit and obedient saints who are not afraid of the Gospel and not afraid of confessing the truth whether it be before pastors/teachers, fellow saints, family, friends and acquaintances. Christ Himself says:
“Behold, I come like a thief! God’s blessing is with the one who remains awake and fully clothed in me and will not walk about naked, exposed to disgrace.” Revelation 16:15 TPT
Conclusion
The state of the Church needs to be reviewed often and always in light of God’s word. The first responsibility for this lies with the Elders (leaders) themselves. No Church on this earth is exempted from the possibility of failure. Personally I write these words in fear. They must ring true to the Word or I also will be counted among the false prophets. We are not all like the Church of Smyrna and Philadelphia. How would we know truth if we do not scrutinize our leaders and measure them against the universal standard of the Word of God. We need to inspect the fruit of your pastors/teachers and well as the fruit of our companion Christians. Neither the Church no its members will grow into the spotless bride of Christ if we do not help ourselves. Dwell on the fact that not all members of the body of Christ will go up in the rapture but only those who remain faithful and have a true relationship with our master Jesus Christ.
“The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.” Revelation 2:11 ESV
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
