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The principle of return- Humble- pray- seek the Lord- Repent. 2 Chron. 7:14: " if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land .” This scripture has been used so often you would think it’s the churches national anthem. “My People” was a common phrase for Israel in the Old Testament, this is a specific promise to Israel, not to the Church under the Old covenant. Only Israel was a theocracy, the Church is not the nation of Israel and we are under a different covenant. They, Israel were under a conditional covenant; if they would obey, God would do what He promised, if they did not obey he would punish as he also promised. God has given us a glimpse of what is in the heart of man unless he is ruled by God. He gave a country an opportunity unlike any other country. America is not a theocracy like Israel but an experiment in freedom, as they implement Judeo Christian principles in governing. America was originally created to worship God without a state religion controlling them, now we have secular humanism competing. We now see those who are opposed to God in open rebellion trying to bring chaos and ruin to peoples lives. As the church we the people under the headship of Christ, we are under an unconditional covenant, we are under grace. 2 Chron.7 is not be a guaranteed promise that will make everything right in America, or any other country. If my people would turn from their wicked ways – this is about repentance. This is to be used as a principle to bring healing; but there needs to be repentance? It is to begin in the housed of God. Do the leaders in the church do anything about the money grubbers who prey on the elderly and those who are poor or hurting? How about exposing those things that have bad influences on the people? For example the false teachers with their false promises of healing? Do they tell the truth about those who lie about combining the Scripture with evolution. Lies have become nearly as pervasive inside the church as they are outside in the world. The Churches morality and ethics are no better. There are so many things said and practiced that need to be dealt with. Lying always has the intent to deceive the hearer and protect the liar. Lies have permeated the church and society. People lie about investments to get ahead in business, they lie in the church with false promises so that you are willing to give them your money. They brag on how many people are saved and healed, boasting on how God is using their ministry so people are more willing to give their money to them. We are in the time of lying, when the lie is told so easily and boldly and the truth is told so weakly and inefficiently proclaimed the people are hurt. We have been fed so many lies portion by portion, piece by piece that the lie has become larger than the truth. So large no one wants to believe it has encompassed the way the church conducts her practices, but it does. The conclusion – No repentance – No healing. Should we expect any genuine revival with nearly zero amount of integrity and an abandonment of doing things God’s way instead of mans! No, we should not. Prov. 12:22: “ Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD.” We have all heard the saying of a dog, its bark is worse than their bite. The pastors are supposed to be the watchdogs of the church but many can’t even bark, they are sleeping. “ All you beasts of the field, come to devour, all you beasts in the forest. “His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough, and they are shepherds who cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his territory ” (Isaiah 56:8-11). Are we seeing today for the church what Isaiah states for the shepherds? Are we silent at a time when we are being attacked by beasts? Isaiah points out these watchmen are unable to denounce worldliness and the flood of false teachers because they seek their own way; they seek their own self-comfort. The most serious of dangers always come from within, not from without. This not only applies to a nation but especially the Church. Paul in tears warned the church he nurtured, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock , among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ( Acts 20:28-30) The church needs to stop following wolf men, those who do not have your best interests at heart but instead their own. This has become one of the main offences and prevention to repentance. Addressing contentions among you. Paul says, Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? (1 Cor. 1:11-13) He later explains how he could not teach them spiritual matters “where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? ( 1 Cor. 3:3-4) Paul’s solution1 Cor. 4:16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” 1 Cor. 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” In other words if it is not written or in the nature of Jesus do not listen. The writer of Hebrews also express the same sentiment, Heb. 6:11-12 “ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
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