Getting along with the world and the "church"?

Leonard Ravenhill once said...

"How is it that the world couldn't get on (along) with the holiest Man that ever lived and can get on with you and me? Are we compromised? Have we no righteousness that reflects on their corruption?"

As we approach Easter...think about that statement. Jesus was crucified for the full payment of our sins, but he was crucified in an earthly sense because he spoke direct and harsh truths to the church of his day! He told them things they didn't want to hear, Biblical truths...do you really think it would be any different if Jesus visited your church today?

Well...how is it that THE CHURCH of Jesus' day couldn't get along with the holiest man that ever lived, you know full well that the contemporary church wouldn't get along with Jesus either...

Divorce rates in the church HIGHER than in the secular world?
Abortion rates on par with the secular world?
Within the church...hypocrisy, backbiting, slander, little zeal for the lost? "Christians" that don't even know how, much less that it's their obligation and duty to evangelize? Christians seeking churches on the criteria of shiny palaces and pleasing preaching with great sounding worship? Pastors living in mansions driving luxo cars, tickling the ears of a sleepy and lazy flocks that can't even Biblically answer the question "Why do you believe in Jesus"?

...and yet the church and the world can get along with you and me?

What is wrong with ME? The world and the church can get along with me, can it get along with you?

Lord God - I desire to get along ONLY with YOU. If that brings me all the condemnation and persecution of the world AND the church...BRING IT ON!

Amen.

2 Timothy 3:10-12
"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

HINT: Much of that persecution certainly came from the CHURCHES in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra!