We mourn deeply for the tragic event that took place in Las Vegas on October 1st. We mourn for the families and friends of those who were murdered, knowing their lives will never be the same. We mourn at the thought that some of those who perished may not have been ready to meet their Maker. And while it’s hard at a time like this to even think of mourning for the man who caused this horrific rampage of death, we mourn because another pitiful soul has chosen death and Hell over eternal life. We mourn because of the senseless violence and bloodshed that took the lives of so many people in a country that was once considered a safe place to live. And last, we extend our mourning to one more thing. When we heard the news of the shooting and took time to ponder and grieve over the devastation of it, we then turned our eyes and thoughts toward the present condition of the Christian church, of which we also mourn.
Many in the media and various sectors of leadership around the world will speculate as to why this and other shootings are happening and will offer their solutions of gun control, unity, and oneness. But as born-again, Bible-believing Christians who have been utterly concerned about the state of the church for many years, we are reminded today about Scriptures that instruct the church to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light [small l] of the world.”
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
We mourn for the present condition of the Christian church because as a whole, the majority of the proclaiming church in the Western world has succumbed to leaders, educational systems, organizations, and mega pastors who are leading the flock away from being the salt of the earth and the light of the world (i.e., from bringing the good news of the preaching of the Cross) and rather toward being “culturally relevant,” emerging, mystical, seeker-friendly, and biblically illiterate and heading toward a false apostate world religion. We mourn this loss of biblical integrity in the church because the world (those who have not come to Christ) is in desperate need of a church that can lead those seeking truth to THE TRUTH and THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Jesus said:
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Church leaders, in their futile efforts to be culturally relevant and socially accepted (not to mention many of their own agendas to be financially successful), have ignored the Bible’s warnings of spiritual deception that will deceive many. They have turned a blind eye to occultic, mystical practices that have entered the church via Spiritual Formation, contemplative prayer, and even Yoga; and they have replaced The Gospel with a flimsy social-justice gospel that does not offend anyone (nor does it save anyone).
During this time as we all reflect and are so saddened by this latest shooting and all that it implies, wouldn’t it be a great time for Christian leaders to stop trying to be LIKE the world and begin becoming like salt that has flavor so that the world will be pointed to the LIGHT of the world, who is the only One who can bring hope and salvation to any man, woman, or child who calls upon Him. Jesus said that whoever follows Him shall not walk in darkness. Why would we want to offer anything other than that message to a lost and hurting world? How could what we offer be any better than what He has offered – to have the light of life?
