A Word To The Strong
By George J. Matranga
In over thirty years of ministry, we weathered many winds of doctrines that blew through the church but nothing worse than the insidiousness amount of compromise with the culture and world around us as evidenced today. As a young pastor, I specifically remember the shallow winds of the “Laughter” movement and the “Drunk In The Spirit” movement, all which left no change of character in those who were engulfed by them. I had the joy of the Lord before it became a movement and when I got saved…I got sober. When I was young, I was labeled as a radical for my convictions, now that I’m older (in my early sixties) I’m considered outdated — not with the program.
Compromise is universal; anyone can do it. Commitment is narrow. Few live it. Compromise is sly yet easy to blend. Commitment is obvious; it’s difficult to hide. As young ministers, we preached the cross – dying to self to be like Christ. We preached holiness, consecration, and separation from the world. We called sin, sin! We were marked, we were different. Today, I hear more about living for self with our rights and freedoms. There’s little difference and little separation that makes us distinct from the world. “You shall make a distinction and recognize a difference between the holy and the common or unholy, and between the unclean and the clean.” Lev. 10:10 AMP Yet today, to make distinctions and recognize a difference is to be labeled judgmental. In this culture, discernment is criticized as being self-righteous. This reminds me of a young Christian author I met who went to eastern Europe to interview ministers after the fall of Communism. One Pastor said at least under Communism they knew who the real Christians were.
It is difficult to detect who the true believers are today. When I was a new believer, a group of us men met regularly at a restaurant before Wednesday night services. We befriended the police officer on duty who was obviously drawn to us. One night he told us his story of why he always wanted to be a policeman. He went into great length of how he sought the toughest areas and the most challenging duties because in his own words, he wanted to be a part of the ‘real’ police. And that was our witness to him that we were men who he recognized as ‘real’ Christians. “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 NAS
Jesus warned us of this day of compromise. “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name…But I have a few things against thee…So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.” Rev. 2:12, 13, 14, 15 KJV Pergamos was the compromising church seated in the heart of paganism. The Nicolaitans were a group of make believe Christians teaching loose living. Some scholars believed that they were spawns of Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch. Nicolas’ previous background suggests that he was a free thinker open to new ideas. It’s no wonder that the Nicolaitans encouraged compromise with the world. Yet, like today the church tolerated them. Jesus hated this liberal religious teaching that corrupted God’s word, lowered His standards and watered down the gospel. We can not live in both worlds, we must be separated to one or the other. “For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 2:7-8 KJV
In an old western movie, a medicine man for a traveling medicine show looks up the local Parson before setting up his show in town. He invites the Parson to come because if the townspeople see him there then they would know it was alright for them to attend. My how so much has changed. Pastors have a great influence in the lives of God’s people. Like pastor, like flock. Recently, I attended a mid-week church service. For the worship service, the sanctuary lights were cut off, red spot lights appeared behind the band, and a smoke machine filled the stage. The only things missing were a disco ball and go-go dancers. I called the church the next day and spoke with an elder. I told him I was delivered from the night club business and felt like I was back in one that night. He agreed with me and said that the Pastor was trying to attract the youth. Whatever you attract people with, you’ll have to keep them with. This was nothing more than a carnal attempt to create an ambience, surely not the glory of the Lord filling the temple. Think about it, if the prophets were allowed to speak today, much of this nonsense would never get off the ground – much less be tolerated. “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.” I Cor. 14:29 KJV
What concerns me the most is the compromised lifestyles of many professing Christians including God’s ministers. Many have adopted the popular trend of tattoos even when God’s word speaks against it. “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you; I am the Lord.” Lev. 19:28 AMP Recently, I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Jesus loves me and my tattoos”. Our church, The Shepherd’s Door, was located in a neighborhood saturated with violence. Many who attended and worked in our ministry were ‘inked’ before their conversion to Christ. God is redemptive – He can use anything. However, when I am presented with the silly notion of tattoos as a tool for witnessing, my answer is: as a street minister, I did not have to dye my skin black to win black gang members to the Lord. The gospel was enough! “And so, dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living sacrifice, holy — the kind he can accept…Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person…” Rom. 12:1,2 TLB
In today’s “Don’t-Judge-Me-Generation”, dress codes have also deteriorated. Many women wear inappropriate outfits to church…sensual and revealing. These styles used to be called ‘After Six’ wear. Modesty in church is a thing of the past. I Tim. 2:9-10 I’m astounded at the crass language that’s so unbecoming to the man and woman of God. When I was lost and in the music business, I had what I call rock n’ roll trash mouth. Every other word was the ‘F’ word. When I was converted, the Lord cleaned out my heart and He cleaned up my mouth. I wince when I hear God’s people substitute the ‘F’ word with “Freakin” or worst when Christians use the expletive they are “P _ _ _ed Off” or this or that “S_ _ks”. “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth…” Eph. 4:29 AMP I’m amazed at the excuses, worldly justifications, and twisting of scripture. A mouth like the world does not attract others to the Lord. We will never be able to pull others up by lowering God’s standards. We become weak and powerless in the process.
Perhaps the most detrimental is the number of beer-drinking-Christians. To me this is an oxymoron. “And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever.” Jer. 35:5-6 KJV The Rechabites are a picture of obedience, loyalty and honor. They kept their vows to Jonadab, their earthly forefather. God used this as an object lesson for the Jews who had rebelled, broken His covenant and refused to obey the laws of their heavenly Father. The message was not about drinking wine. The message was about being faithful to God and honoring His word. While scripture may not prohibit wine, it may not be in God’s best interest to indulge. “…All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” I Cor. 10:23 AMP I’d rather be a “spiritual” saint than a “sippin” saint. My concern is that in this permissive society, one’s liberty may give license for others to go beyond. When we have others on our mind we become less concerned with ourselves. As a believer and minister when I’m asked to drink, my answer has always remained the same — it’s a taste that I want to forget. Period! “The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it [hurts your brother’s conscience or] makes him stumble or offends or weakens him.” Rom. 14:21 AMP Alcohol in any form has not proved itself a good mix for the body of Christ. Prov. 20:1; 23:20 I believe it’s God’s best to abstain. In our present world of loose morals and compromise, many would call it legalism to have these convictions. The Lord did not call the Rechabites legalists for their vows but honored them for their obedience. Jer. 35:18-19
I believe the church in America needs a renewal in consecration. “…And pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.” Heb. 12:14 AMP Every Pastor turn over the tables of compromise and drive out every apostate doctrine. “…Be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord.” Is. 52:11 KJV From every pulpit make it clear the distinctions between the godly from the ungodly. That every true believer in these last days can proudly declare they are not ashamed of the gospel and belong to Jesus Christ. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Gal. 6:14 KJV
I write this letter to encourage those who are standing strong in their convictions…keep standing. You’re not alone. And, to those who may be struggling, find your strength in repentance. Brethren, if for any reason you have fallen into the trap of compromise or the culture has gripped your mind, then cry out to the Lord. He is merciful and ever ready to forgive. He is the Father of mercies, our Redeemer, and the lifter of our head. He loves us so much. “Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith [that is, in your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it]. Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!” I Cor. 16:13 AMP