A right concept of 'works, love and service unto God is essential in the preaching of the Gospel to effectively bring sinners from darkness to light from the power of Satan to God through repentance and faith proven by deeds. (Acts 26:18-21) The apostle John tells us that ‘God is love’ and he who does not have this (same) love does not know God, 1Jh. 4:7-8. But in what manner this love is to be expressed has been an issue of great contention among professed Christians since the beginning. Every church person knows that 1Cor. 13 is the ‘love chapter, it's read at many weddings and even given as vows between husbands and wives. But seldom do they include verse 6: ‘Love does not rejoice in iniquity but in the truth’. This is because ‘Christian charity toward the world does not include the truth. It includes philanthropy, at times in the highest form but never the truth about turning from sin. They do not understand that God’s love for mankind is dispassionate, not sympathetic as in human terms, but meaning that He is fair-minded and without prejudice, not willing any perish (in sin) but come to a precise and correct knowledge of His truth. (1Tim. 2:4)

   The Greek word for God’s love is 'agapao' defined as impartial benevolence, having a preference for, and high regard for someone’s well-being; certainly fully expressed in Jesus Christ dying for the sins of the world and offering them an opportunity to be reconciled to God through repentance and faith proven by deeds. Therefore ‘charity' apart from truth (teaching a departure from sin!) is commendable to men but clanging symbols to God. The professed Church is rich in charitable works but stand condemned as ‘workers of iniquity. (Matt7:21-23) They see works of charity as complementary to faith but never meritorious, therefore (in their minds)  'works,' good or evil, have no bearing on the outcome of their salvation, but again the Bible contradicts them. This is NOT said to pagans, cults or non-believers! It is directly in the face of professed followers of Christ who did works in His name but never turned themselves or anyone else from their sins.

   This is a perfect description of the Church System at the Great Judgment answering for their multitude of missions, soup kitchens, outreaches and self-help programs that exist in ‘Jesus' name’ but DO NOT preach His Gospel to turn people from their iniquity. (Acts 3:26) No one in the church system ever stops and asks themselves would Jesus open a soup kitchen or even a city mission to provide for the physical needs of people without first telling them the truth about their sins? Do we see the apostles in the book of Acts establishing outreach centers in Rome and Asia Minor, running around arranging spaghetti dinners, bingo nights, or potluck fellowships, did they preach sin as an addiction and put sinners in bondage to various indulgences into focus groups and 12 Step programs to help manage their cravings? Of course, these are rhetorical questions, we know they did not. But what did they do?  In Acts 24:25 when Paul had an opportunity to testify before Felix (the governor) he reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control and the Judgment to come, because it was turning people from their iniquity is what part of the Gospel is about, not social programs and gimmicks. 

   Christ said to the Professed:

   Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matt. 7:21-23

   This is NOT said to pagans, cults or non-believers! It is directly in the face of professed followers of Christ who did works in His name but never turned themselves or anyone else from their sins. This is a perfect description of the Church System at the Great Judgment answering for their multitude of missions, soup kitchens, outreaches and self-help programs that exist in ‘Jesus name’ but DO NOT preach His Gospel to turn people from their iniquity. (Acts 3:26) No one in the church system ever stops and asks themselves would Jesus open a soup kitchen or even a city mission to provide for the physical needs of people without first telling them the truth about their sins? In the book of Acts, do we witness the apostles in Rome and Asia Minor setting up outreach hubs, organizing spaghetti dinners, bingo nights, or potluck gatherings? Did they emphasize sin as an addiction and create focus groups and 12 Step programs to assist sinners in controlling their desires? Of course, these are rhetorical questions, we know they did not. But what did they do! In Acts 24:25 when Paul had an opportunity to testify before Felix (the governor) he reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control and the Judgment to come', because it was turning people from their iniquity is what part of the Gospel is about, not social programs and gimmicks. 

   Sin is misery and bondage, redemption is a release from bondage, the fake churches preach sin as a malady instead of a transgression and go about ministering to the addiction, not the cause. That's why they're called 'workers of iniquity', it isn't the absence of works the Lord condemns but the method by which they were performed. Any institutionalized system, properly funded, can provide for the physical needs of people, feed and clothe them, and even provide medical care, but to what purpose is it if they then DIE in their sins because you never told them that a departure from iniquity is required to enter the Kingdom of God. You can minister to a drunkard's material, and physical needs and even offer him pseudo comfort in 'receiving Jesus', but if he remains a drunk what have you done? Feeling sorry for your sins is not TURNING from them! But the sorrow of the world is enough in the mission outreaches.  All you have to do in the system is simply recite the brief prayer and find satisfaction in the work you're engaged in.  It may be called good works in the eyes of men, but to the Lord its an outrage.

   I know it's difficult to criticize good works done in Jesus' name, to see a person like Mother Teresa as a worker of iniquity, but consider the facts. We're not discussing human philanthropy, as commendable as it may be, we're talking about works acceptable to God. The apostles did BOTH, charitable outreach and turned people from their sins! But they didn't find acceptance in general society for their good deeds because their message included an exposure of sin and demand to turn from it or perish. Why is it that the establishment Church finds such favorable reception of their 'good works' in general society while the apostles and their disciples found only persecution and hatred? Because a free meal, warm bed and handout is one thing, (few will refuse) but a call of repentance proven by deeds and godly life in Christ Jesus is another, FEW will hear.

   How popular do you think your local Mission would be if they started telling the drunks and reprobates to stop sinning and clean up their act or face the judgment of God? Not very, that's for sure! The only reason they keep coming back for more is that the preachers are offering them the magic cover, a replacement for Jesus' gospel, in which turning from sin is not required. Who among them wouldn't respond to the milk toast, greasy grace message that says all is well, just repeat after me and fill your bellies with more food. Any real Christian who volunteered at a  Mission and then tried to preach the real gospel of turning from sin to the people knows you will wear out your welcome pretty fast. Assisting with the 'work' is fine, but God forbid you to tell anyone they must strive, count the cost, endure and sin no more! You will be accused of having no love and labeled an angry monster, and self-righteous hypocrite, while the drunks and perverts lead bible studies and train for the ministry!

   I'm not saying we go around thumping people over the head with the Bible and calling them names, but turning them from their sins is imperative. The Bible says:  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 1Cor. 6:9-10  These sins can't be hidden or forgiven in advance under the guise of grace. To save them from destruction, they need to honestly confess and repent to God. WHY offer them false hope while they still remain in bondage? What they really need is a revitalized spirit, but that won't happen unless they obey the truth.  He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Prov. 28:13

    No doubt the Missions, outreach centers, and Christian charitable intuitions all fall under the apostate Church System preaching the replacement Jesus and filling up the tare barns. They stand in harsh contrast to the FEW actually making an attempt to combat the problem, BUT beware you do not succumb to their methods and fall into the trap of mixing truth with error, thinking you can coexist with a flawed foundation.
 
   A person's beliefs about God's nature, human nature, and the nature of sin shape their message to those who are astray. If they adhere to the flawed ideas that humans are inherently sinners, incapable of obeying God, and that a substitutionary atonement relieves them of personal responsibility through proxy for their helpless state, how can anything you say to persuade them to turn away from their sins when their protective shield is firmly in position? If God's love is interpreted as tolerance and perpetual leniency, as they portray it, then all sins are considered equally insignificant, and no one is flawless, including those who preach the gospel. Therefore, any purification, if required, will occur in accordance with God's schedule, and anyone who suggests otherwise is untruthful and lacks authenticity. Ministry has transformed into a form of "disease management," where sinners seek therapy to cope with their addictions, sometimes exchanging one sin for another that appears less offensive. In this scenario, no one genuinely breaks free from their sins; they bring them into the Kingdom alongside themselves. (Or so they think.)
   
   Anyone with their eyes open to this mess, who has attempted to minister the true Gospel of repentance out on the streets or in the general public, knows exactly what I’m talking about. Every drunk and reprobate you encounter has been ‘saved' already, baptized and assured they have past, present and future forgiveness of sin in Christ. Additionally, a significant number of them will have memorized scripture snippets to bolster the falsehoods they've been instructed. Even many of the self-proclaimed street preachers, who vehemently denounce sin and urge repentance, often carry an underlying message of "placing trust in Jesus" rather than cleansing the heart of deceit and pride through a season of genuine sorrow before God. This process involves forsaking all known sins with sincerity, separating oneself from the worldly influences, and undergoing a true transformation from the old life of sin to a new life of righteousness in the act of repentance. It entails being washed, renewed, and regenerated in Christ, becoming thoroughly equipped and empowered for dedicated service to God in the present moment.

   For all the commotion they bring about the street preacher converts are no better than the Church-Mission professed, they've been saved by 'trusting in Christ' (not coming clean) and told they have a ready absolution in confessing 1Jh. 1:9 for any ongoing sin that's bound to occur. So what's the difference?  Is God's love being reflected through methods where the sin NEVER stops, where the transformation of character has NOT taken place?

   His love does not rejoice in iniquity, 'He who loves the Lord, hates evil', Ps. 97:10, 'The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil' Prov. 8:13. Is it contradictory to inform prospective converts that they have perpetual forgiveness by adhering to 1 John 1:9 without genuinely detesting and turning away from evil. Can affectionate love shield you from the contamination of sin? Shouldn't authentic divine compassion be evident in rescuing them from the grip of sin initially and then guiding them resolutely onto the path of eternal life? Certainly it 'feels good' to help others, feed the kids, help the hurting, and relieve human suffering, but it's pointless to console yourself in these charitable deeds unless you are willing to ALSO give them the whole counsel of God and then contend earnestly against the many strongholds of delusion pounded into their brains from years of 'Church-Mission' life. How could you ever testify with Paul; 'I am innocent of the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare to them the whole counsel of God' (Acts 20:26-27), if you've associated yourself with ministries promoting doctrines that undermine the basic fundamental principles of repentance, faith and redemption? Certainly, you can claim in-house debate over these issues, but I think the Lord made the point well when He said: 'If the light in you (you claim to have) is darkness (blindness, delusion) how great is that darkness!' Matt. 6:23.

   The evidence lies in the outcome, discernible through one's actions and their impact (known by your fruits). If you are truly aligning with the Lord, individuals should be transitioning from darkness to light, moving from Satan's influence to God through genuine repentance and faith, which is proven by deeds, not strubbling with addictions, reciting 1 John 1:9 daily, or labeling themselves as sinners saved by grace.

   If good works could be done without regard to sound teaching why the dire warning that people can give themselves to be burned totally without purpose, (1Cor. 13:1) many die in His name to no avail. You can give your life to sacrificial service, even become the next Gandhi or Mother Teresa, but end up in ruin. Five out of the Seven Churches addressed by Christ in Rev. 1-3, were abundant in ‘works' and service but wholly involved in the depths of Satan, cold, dead, and lukewarm. Would any of these charitable ministries today take it to heart if the LORD Himself sent a messenger to warn them of their impending doom? NO, they would shoot the messenger! The truth is toxic in their midst.  As the Lord told Ezekiel, ‘They will not listen to you, because they WILL NOT listen to ME! Ezk. 3:7 But they are highly praised among men and receive the accolades as their reward. But those of us on the outside of this mess, looking in and seeing all the unrestrained filth, crying out for them to come clean with God in repentance proven by deeds are labeled angry finger-pointing, evil judges, considered intolerant, unloving, and uncaring of their real needs; despised by the ‘Churches (missions) and hated in general society, but in fellowship with the beloved of God; of whom the world was not worthy. Heb. 11:38.

   Paul said amid all his trials and persecutions: ‘Love of Christ constrains us', despite everything (even death) the message went forth, knowing it would never be popular in general society but was the only way to escape the corruption of sin in this life and appear before God with confidence you've served Him with purpose. 'Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;' 2Cor. 5:9-11

   God's love is expressed in His goodness and severity. He has the potential for justice if He accurately punishes wrongdoing. Absolving man of personal responsibility for his actions by preaching replacement theology may keep the wheels of religion spinning, but the Judgment Seat is waiting and it is surely a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God, especially when your works will be accounted as iniquity because they were not done by the true purpose of the Gospel---to deliver souls from the corruption of sin to the power of God.

    I know your Works!  
   
   I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, Rev. 2:19-20

   In the present day, Churches professed Christians are constantly told that God doesn't see their sin because Jesus took it away and transferred His righteousness to them in exchange for their sin. But in Revelation 2-3 we find Christ VERY aware of their sins and issuing dire warnings to repent or perish. Perhaps the professed should have read their Bibles instead of listening to their pastors:

   And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Heb. 4:13

   So here again, 'WORKS' are taken into account against the inheritance of eternal life, NOTHING is hidden from His eyes and all things done will be judged accordingly. Regardless of what the professed belief about God's love overlooking their sins, they will reap what they sow and suffer the consequences thereof, because:

   The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.  The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. Ps. 34:15-16

   We find the Church of Thyatira, Rev. 2, much like present-day Mission Churches, that also excel in every area of works, love and service, but are immersed in adultery, fornications, uncleanness and all manner of filthy behavior within their congregations. The 'depths of Satan', it was called, Rev. 2:24, because the doctrine being taught opened the door to every sort of immorality and filth … 'the filthy rags' Christian love to profess.  In Thyatira they were warned severely to turn from these things or perish, but today they're flaunted in the face of the Lord as though Jezebel herself was a leading church elder. Can such spiritual idolatry be excused by a 'Substitute (replacement) Savior'? Woe unto those who believe such lies and remain in bondage.

   Like Sardis, Rev. 3, they rely on having a name for being alive but in reality are stone-cold dead. (In their sins.) The abundance of activity in the Churches has the appearance of success, much like Laodicea, rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, (but in reality) are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked before God! Rev. 3:17. Unquestionably, the culmination of all that is described in Revelation 2-3, characterized by corruption, spiritual lifelessness, and lukewarmness, resembles the contemporary Church. It has already been deemed as disqualified due to their sinful actions, yet they remain oblivious to the impending judgment, which is merely waiting for the moment when it will be executed.

   Replacement and substitution theology was invented centuries ago by the Catholics and codified in the so-called Protestant Reformation with the faith alone, magic transfer theories. Now it has reached its apex in full-blown license to sin! The Catholics still have their confessional, but to what purpose is the question.  It’s a church run by Satan himself, full of pedophiles and perverts that pose as godly.Yet, what other choices exist when confronted with the multitude of over 5000 splinter groups (non-Catholic) that assert their absolute authority over doctrine? They ALL preach some form of Satisfaction, Substitution,or Replacement Jesus that absolves people from taking any responsibility for their ongoing sins as 'Christians'. It confesses and moves on, no matter how vile the behavior. God cannot even acknowledge them as His own, just as He has said throughout time:

   Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity. No one calls for justice, Nor does any plead for truth. They trust in empty words and speak lies; They conceive evil and bring forth iniquity. They hatch vipers’ eggs and weave the spider’s web; He who eats of their eggs dies, And from that which is crushed a viper breaks. Isa. 59:1-5

   They are cut off from the Lord, in great darkness, but believe He is on their side and approves of their works. They cannot hear His warnings or see His face, their fingers are too busy producing iniquity and their lips are engaged in speaking lies. No one among them calls for justice or pleads for truth; their words are empty and full of venom so all who trust in them die. Their own works are a testimony against them. It’s the aroma of death, not life in the eyes of God. People receive charity but not truth, they remain in bondage to their addictions and never seek to escape. The Missions, rescue centers and outreach programs do NOTHING to relieve the corrupting influence of sin eating them away. People will donate their time and money to the endless list of charities working to accommodate the sick and afflicted, but they never give a second thought to the sordid condition that they are sinking into the pit of perdition in slavery to sin. It feels good to care and THINK you're expressing the heart of God in tolerance toward sin. But God's love is just as well as merciful and sin will go unpunished.

   Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Heb. 10:28-29 

   The Bible says that the devil comes to ‘steal, kill and destroy' (Jh. 10:10) but Christ came to DESTROY the works of the devil! (1John3:8) But because the god of this age (the devil) has succeeded in ‘blinding' the eyes of the massive religious establishment to the truth, the true power of the cross (to redeem man from the corrupting influence of sin) has been rendered nearly ineffective in our time. In its place is an IMAGE of Christ as the all-encompassing charitable Savior who’s ready to forgive the world ‘unconditionally', and wink at their ongoing sins. In this, the devil wins and keeps them as his captives to the slavery of sin. Such has been the case for generations as deluded Christian Philanthropists build missions, outreaches, hospitals, churches, universities and a myriad of other charities for the well-being of their fellow man. But as commendable as this is, it remains ‘dead works' in the eyes of God because there is no accompaniment of truth or attempts made to bring people out of their bondage to sin. God declared long ago that His messengers are sent to TURN people from their evil ways and the evil of their doings! (Jer. 23:21-22) Without a doubt, the Church ministries are doing the EXACT opposite and stand accused of the SAME failures recorded in the first three chapters of Revelation. And if they fail to take heed and amend their ways the same judgments will apply. In the final analysis, it’s the workers of iniquity who hear those awful words; "I never knew you, depart from me" all of your works (charitable giving, mission outreach) are indeed filthy rags (as you proclaim) but it's not because you were born with some inbred malady of sin, it’s because you freely CHOOSE to serve sin as your master instead of Christ as your Redeemer. Next time to try and placate your conscience by dropping a fat check in the collection plate, think about dropping to your knees in bitter repentance for your complacency toward sin in yourself and others.
   
God so Loved the World!

   But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1Tim. 5:8

   For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 1Thess. 3:10-12

   Our efforts to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world today are filled with many pitfalls and deceptions at every turn. FEW understand the imperative of repentance proven by deeds and the necessity to reason with people from the premise of righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. (Acts 24:25) Rather, most of them promise the sinners liberty while they remain slaves to their corruption. (2Pet. 3:18) The reasons behind this are numerous, but mainly based on their distorted version of the Gospel as a ‘Love Message' that sympathizes with man’s sinfulness as a malady instead of a "transgression of God’s law." Therefore the conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment meant to bring a person to repentance and clearing of wrongdoing has been replaced with the assurance that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, so ‘repeat after me and trust it will be done'. Consequently, sinners no longer fear God’s judgment nor do they TURN from their sins. (Acts 3:19, 26)

   The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction, Prov1:7

   The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate, Prov.8:13

   Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isa. 5:20

   The Bible teaches that God’s love was demonstrated to the world in that while we were yet in our sins, Christ died for the ungodly. (Rom. 5:8) BUT the message taken to sinners was: ‘Repentance toward God and Faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ’ Acts 20:21, NOT God’s loves you and sent His Son to die in your place. Sinners were cut to heart (Acts 3:37) when they heard this message because it was made clear to them that they had participated in Christ’s death in their sinful neglect of God’s outstretched arm (Isa. 59:1, 65:2) calling them to repentance. Christ’s sufferings were a dreadful reminder of the awesome price that had to be paid to purchase their souls from the corruption of sin! (Acts 20:28, 1Pet. 1:18-19) It was the shame and guilt of their sin that drove them to their knees in self-cleansing humility crying out for His mercy, not some touchy-feely message about God's love assuring them they could be forgiven in their sins. (Placating the drunk with promises of forgiveness if they feel sorry for their condition.)
 
   The early saints gathered in tight-knit assemblies throughout the land, oftentimes in secret because the Romans hunted them down as criminals. As a result, they had to support one another materially and financially. They held all things in common (like a ‘commune') but they were not without difficulties administering this type of arrangement. We find in Paul’s epistle to brother Timothy that certain people were coming in among them and taking advantage of their charity; refusing to work or provide for their families. 1Tim. 5:8. This was unacceptable, as everyone was expected to work with their hands (if possible) and provide for the needs of others. 1Thess. 4:11. For these and many more reasons, the commune aspect of early Christianity failed. One of the earliest documents that circulated the assemblies called the "Didache" speaks of these issues and how to deal with them. It mentions traveling evangelists abusing their privileges going from house to house mooching off the charity of the saints and how they should be quickly expelled, and of course the constant reminder that the original apostles provided their own living and did not expect the poor village assemblies to support them.

   The early saints kept close tabs on these matters and were constantly refuting the false teachers who crept in among them to spread Gnostic lies about dual natures and Christ not appearing in the flesh. Although they were confronted with the same mentality of idleness and irresponsibility, the difference between then and now is, THEY wouldn’t tolerate it! Today they may as well buy the reprobates their wine and drugs since they do NOTHING to see they are redeem from their slavery to sin. The thing is we don’t see the early saints opening ‘soup kitchens or Mission outreaches centers in the cities, or giving money to people who would obviously go spend it on more debauchery. In their Ministry the drunks were no longer drunks, the fornicators no longer immoral, the thieves no longer criminals but productive members of the Christian community willing to contribute something to the work. They preached repentance not God loves you! Their message was ‘FLEE this wicked and perverse generation! Acts 2:40 TURN from your iniquities before they become your ruin!

   The Gospel has nothing to do with God feeling sorry for man as a helpless sinner, born to addiction. It has to do with the washing, regeneration and renewing of the human being through repentance and faith proven by deeds! Titus 3:5, Acts 26:18-21. When they prayed for someone it was that God would open their eyes and TURN them from darkness light from the power of satan to God, not that He would receive them in their sins and try to clean them later. The cleaning took place in repentance and they became vessels FIT for the master's use. 2Tim, 2:21. It wasn't God's job to repent for them or magically change their desires from evil to good,  He called all men everywhere to repentance proven by deeds and in that a chance to be reconciled if they came on His terms. 2Cor.5:22

   God’s love for mankind has ALREADY been demonstrated in Christ. He showed mercy to those who came to Him in the humble sincerity of repentance with their hearts emptied of guile, but He severely rebuked the obstinate who refused to forsake their sins. He could read men’s hearts, there were no hidden motives or deceits concealed from His eyes. We do not have that advantage so we must tell them all to repent. We can never assume they are sincere merely by what they say or their shed tears asking for our prayers, we can ONLY SEE their fruits and KNOW that the tree is either ‘good or bad. (Matt. 12:33)

   Today we face a generation hardened to the core against God’s word, Saved a hundred times over in the Churches and Missions, TOLD 24/7 they can’t help what they are and pampered in their sins by pulpit parrots who promise them peace, peace when there is NO PEACE! (Jer. 6:14-15) When we (who are awakened) go out to minister the Gospel we must not give them further confidence they’re in right standing with God. It has to be made CRYSTAL CLEAR in our words and actions that God commands them to REPENT! Instead of feeling sorry for their misery (which is our natural human tendency to empathize with the down and out) give them the ONLY hope they have for redemption and deliverance from their bondage! Tell them:

  Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.  James 4:7-10
   
   In this God’s love is truly expressed for mankind, because He’s not willing any perish but that they come to repentance. (2Pet. 3:9) Those with a sincere and honest heart will respond and KNOW that you love them enough to tell them the truth. Many looking for another hand-out or something to soothe their conscience will call you hateful and depart in a huff, headed back to the local mission where the preacher will pat them on the back and assure them all is well. Your hands are innocent of their blood, you gave them the WHOLE council of God (Acts 20:26-27) not further comfort in their sins. You can pray they come to their senses and weep when they don’t, but don’t partake in the sins of those transgressing the doctrine of Christ, who misrepresent His message as ‘sympathy instead of repent or perish.

   The HUGE difference between the modern-day concept of ‘Christian charity and what is depicted in the New Testament is they went about helping the poor, the widows and the orphans who were in a state of poverty that was NOT of their own doing. They had their goods plundered, their homes taken and were thrust into the streets by a tyrannical government, NOT because they were drunks, perverts and general reprobates who had no desire to fend for themselves or improve their situation by coming clean with God, but merely because they followed Christ instead of Caesar. Their only hope was the charity of their fellow man so the Christians offered them a helping hand when they were able to do so. Today we have an entire societal structure sponsoring the reprobation. We have people sinning themselves into a state of ruin by CHOICE and then turning to the System for ‘support' of their vile habits. In the phony Churches (missions, outreaches) they get the free hand-outs and another pat on the back that God loves them and a prayer He will take away the awful addictions ruining their lives. From society, they receive the transfer of wealth taken from the working class to facilitate a lifetime of care in the welfare State. It’s a never-ending cycle of degradation that we are reaping the fruits of it right now, AND the counterfeit ‘love Gospel is to BLAME. 

   I realize ‘charitable acts ‘feel good to the soul and showing compassion to others is a natural inclination of our humanity to express Christ. But would it be so evil to admonish these people to work with their hands and contribute something to the community in actually helping others? (1Thess. 4:11) Would it be ‘hatful' to ‘rebuke' those who persist in their sin that others may fear? (1Tim. 5:20) The very reason there’s no ‘fear' is the coddling of the drunks, perverts and reprobates mooching off the Missions who are AFRAID to count the cost and tell them the truth; rather they tell them they’re SAVED in their sins! This is criminal negligence of the highest degree!!

   Therefore knowing these things beforehand what should our course of action be? We certainly dare not partake of their false doctrines, shutting the Kingdom against men, but we’re compelled to enter the arena and contend for the truth. In our Mission (to the lost and deceived) we must stand aloof from any suggestion of error. We cannot go sowing among thorns (Jer. 12:13) and expect God to give increase when the fallow ground has never been broken up in Rrepentance. As the Prophets have said:

    Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. Isa. 6:14-15

   We face a people given over to a reprobate mind, who won’t endure sound doctrine and are having their ears tickled daily with the love message of assurance in sin; they are stiff-necked and rebellious and refuse His rebuke over and over again. Noah was a preacher of righteousness, he preached righteousness, self-control and judgment to come over one hundred years with NO results whatsoever except his little family who joined him on the ark. The Church is only concerned with EFFECTIVENESS, adding to the tally of dead souls piled up in their tare barns they THINK is God’s house. Going forth into their arena we enter into a full-blown version of the Days of Noah.  So we must like him (and all the true saints), focus our message on the core issues of sin, righteousness and the judgment to come. So choose your ground carefully and temper your words with truth.

   Our God is a consuming fire and with His winnowing fan He will thoroughly purge His threshing floor and separate the wheat from the chaff. Let us stand on His firm foundation and tell the deceived that ANYONE who names the name of Christ must depart from Iniquity! 2Tim. 2:19. Your gutless pastors and Missions directions won't tell you that God is angry with the sinner every day (PS. 7:11), they won't tell you that the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil (Ps. 97:10), because they think sin no longer matters and love is all that counts. But man will be judged according to his deeds, not according to what Christ did on the cross or what some spineless preachers say! Failure to warn the people that their sinful behavior will result in final judgment is a crime of the highest degree. It may feel good now to imagine that you are expressing the heart of Christ to the people by charitable deeds, but by your failure to turn them from their sins you will suffer the same judgment together among all those who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. When have you ever heard your pansy preacher tell people the following:

   He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.  For God shows no partiality. Rom. 2:6-11

   ...the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes in that day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe. 2Thess. 1:7-10