I once saw an excellent letter to a newspaper from an atheist who very logically stated that the Church only has itself to blame for the problems caused in its ranks where homosexuality is concerned.
He pointed out that the church/Church (?) had turned a blind eye to fornication and 'living together when unmarried' for decades - as if these were of little consequence.
He knew enough about Bible teaching to recognise that this was just hypocrisy when the finger was latterly pointed at homosexual conduct.
In other words - the moral high ground had been long surrendered.
Taking this a step further, turning to the vexed question of divorce - it is/was abundantly clear that countless ministers have remarried couples, especially non-Christians, where one - perhaps both - partners have broken up a previous union and their faith is either non-existent or questionable. (Clearly, the whole issue of repentance needs to be brokered in here, where all and any are concerned.)
But ask yourself what does the public see other than - moral weakness?
Moral weakness equates to cowardice. If the Gospel is not preached on the grounds that 'it might upset people and they could leave our church' - then that is simply a craven stance to take.
For years, the Body of Christ (?) has shown weakness as its main feature. Why are there so many 'wet vicars' portrayed on TV? - Maybe it is because, as a breed, they run rife throughout our Churches.
In how many venues is Hell expunged from preaching for very similar reasons?
How many ministers taking funerals of the unsaved imply that the deceased is now 'with God?' If they do that to 'make it easier' for the mourners - how easy is it going to be for them when the mourners meet God face to face at The Judgement?
How many preach of God's love and grace - which is entirely correct - but then fail to preach: the wrath of God, His Righteousness, His Justice and His Judgement?
Too many preach a heavily doctored gospel?
Homosexuals are, at present, most vociferous. "Oh. No. We'd better capitulate, then!"
Is the church happy that children in schools are being indoctrinated into modes of thinking which are 100% anti-God?
Obviously, they will wipe away all of these appalling sins by pretending to find some horrendous racist act and decry it. Maybe they can have a go at a parishioner who refuses 'to take a knee' because they recognise that such acts are ultimately divisive or get tough with someone who mistakenly says 'coloured' instead of 'people of colour'. Naturally, such heinous deeds are far worse than all of the above combined.
God's judgement is bearing down at a rapid rate of knots. Did you mock those guys with placards half a century ago which stated 'Prepare to meet your God?'
Well - perhaps you and your C/church had better start paying attention!
.jpeg)