The High Cost of Tolerating Sin in the Church
When a nation, formed in covenant with Almighty God and founded with the express purpose of “the propagation and advance of the gospel of the kingdom of Christ,” chooses to throw off Almighty God and embrace and other deities, what are the consequences, if indeed there are consequences?
A sure and certain sign such a culture shift is taking place can be seen in the call for tolerance and the enforcement of political correctness. Certain words and phrases are no longer allowed in public circles, albeit, they were once the accepted norm of the land. Those values and behaviors, once thought to be wrong and inappropriate, must now be tolerated by the majority. After all, there is freedom of expression.
While those things once known to be evil are now being tolerated, it is required by its very nature to be intolerant of those things once known to be right. Tolerance and political correctness are not for the purpose of inclusion of all beliefs and moral standards. Tolerance and political correctness are for the express purpose of embracing new beliefs and moral standards and the removal of the old.
Right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right!
Tolerance and political correctness are the means by which Almighty God is thrown out of a nation and new gods are invited in. Can a nation long survive when it removes the very foundation upon which it was built? There is an example in history to which we can look for the answer.
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then you also can do good, who are accustomed to doing evil. Therefore I will scatter them as the stubble that passes away by the wind of the wilderness. This is your lot, the portion of your measures from Me, says the Lord, because you have forgotten Me and trusted in falsehood” (Jer. 13:23-25).
Almighty God was addressing His chosen people, Israel. They had thrown off God and embraced idols from other nations. They exchanged the moral standards from God’s Word for the immoral behavior of nations around them.
Human sexuality was distorted. Adultery, fornication and same-sex relationships were openly practiced. Children were sacrificed to idols. Priests and prophets were distorting truth and carefully avoided pointing out sinful behavior. The clear distinction between sacred and secular, holy and unholy was being blurred. Political and governmental leaders were corrupt. Bribery and extortion were common place. Justice and truth had little place in the courts and business dealings.
“For among My people are found wicked men. They lie in wait, as he who sets snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit. Therefore they have become great and rich. They are fat, they are sleek. Indeed, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They do not judge the cause of the fatherless, so that they may prosper; and the right of the needy they do not defend. Shall I not punish them for these things? says the Lord. Shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this? An appalling and horrible thing has been committed in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and My people love to have it so. Yet what will you do in the end?” (Jer. 5:26-31)
Time and again God sought their attention; calling them to repentance and return to Him. He sent prophets. When they would not hear the prophets, He allowed pestilence to come. When they still would not hear, He allowed financial prosperity. When they became more arrogant and more rebellious, financial disaster came followed by attacks from their enemies. When they became even more arrogant and rebellious, God allowed the nation to be conquered.
Prophets have been sent to the USA, only for them to be mocked and ridiculed. Katrina, droughts and other natural disasters have only made her more arrogant and determined we can solve any problem through our science, medicine and technology. She has totally rejected God’s creation, holiness and design. The most vile and immoral acts are now accepted as normal. Religious leaders and pastors are accepting the new moral standards and teaching their congregations they are biblical. The people love to have it so!
United States of America, do you really believe you can go the way of Israel and prosper? Do you truly believe God does not have eyes to see and ears to hear? Do you believe His hand is atrophied and cannot reach this nation for rejecting Him and breaking covenant? There is great danger in the path you are taking.
Dr. F. Dean Hackett has served in full-time Christian ministry since October 1971. He has ministered throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, serving as pastor, conference speaker and mentor. He has planted four churches, assisted in planting 15 others, and currently serves as Lead Pastor of Living Faith Church in Hermiston, Oregon. Dean has been married 45 years to his wife, Wanda. They have three children serving in full-time Christian ministry. Their two daughters are missionaries in Croatia and their son is planting a church in Portland, Oregon. They have nine grandchildren. Dr. Dean is known for training many leaders who are in full-time ministry around the world. He has completed a Masters in Ministry, a Masters of Theology and a Ph.D. in practical theological with an emphasis in marriage and family counseling. His enthusiastic and challenging ministry has made him a popular teacher and conference speaker. He has written eight books and is presently writing the third book in a trilogy Freedom Series. Dr. Hackett founded Spirit Life Ministries International in 2001 to facilitate ministries in Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina and to open a training center for workers in those nations. You can find him at F. Dean Hackett – Foundational, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest
