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Fine-Tuning of the ChurchFine-tuning of the church is needful in the hour in which we live. Jesus, the Son of the living God, loved the church and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify (or set it apart) and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27). There is an instrument, the tuning fork, invented in 1711 by John Shore. It is a steel instrument in the shape of a U with a short handle. When struck it produces an almost pure tone, retaining its pitch over a long period of time; it is a valuable aid in fine-tuning musical instruments. The church has grown lax in the areas of sanctification and holiness and is in need of fine-tuning to turn away from the worldliness that has infiltrated. It has become increasingly more difficult to distinguish a Christian from the world. One person reported that in a survey of 152 separate items concerning the lost world and the churches there was vitually no difference between the two; this was reported in the late 90's. A Self-Willed and Rebellious StateWe are presently living in a self-willed; if not rebellious state. The prophet Ezekiel was sent to a rebellious nation that had rebelled against God. He was told to speak the word given to him, to warn the people of their rebellious ways (Ezekiel 3:17). He was not only to warn the wicked but the righteous as well. If one were to deliver a message of holiness today, in the manner of yesteryear, for the most part it would not be received.Fine-tuning of the church is imperative in the hour in which we live to bring it to the place our Lord desires, a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; that it should be holy and without blemish. The church has systematically stripped away the way of holiness. A definition of holiness is that of being set apart or separated to God from a profane, secular, and carnal attitude to a sacred, religious, and spiritual one. Self-Gratification and AppeasementThe standards of yesteryear have been distanced away from because of unacceptability today. We live in a time of self-indulgence, self-gratification, and appeasement rather than adherence to God's Word. A new era has surfaced which replaces the values of yesteryear to a more acceptable and appealing way with few in opposition because such a stand is unpopular. I wonder how Ezekiel, and other prophets of God, rated in popularity?Fine-tuning of the church comes through God's Unadultrated (or pure) Word, untained by man's desires, and anointed by the power of the Holy Ghost. The man of God is to speak "What thus saith the Lord" without substitution. Because of failure to do so, we are seeing a desertion from the steadfastness of the Gospel taking place. The more pleasant way is not always the best way.
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