A CHURCH WITHOUT THE FEAR OF GOD If you truly knew Jesus, they would love Jesus. John encountered a religious nation. They were people who said, “We are children of God! We are children of Abraham!” But John did not look only at what they said; he looked at the fruit of their lives. And then he declared: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” They had religion, but they had no repentance. They had words, but they had no fruit. They claimed to know God, but their lives did not demonstrate the fear of the Lord. And today, unfortunately, we also find a church that has gone astray, a church that, in many places, has lost the fear of God. We find young people trapped in sin, people living in sexual immorality, leaders and ministers involved in practices that contradict the Word of God. We find corruption, hypocrisy, lies, greed, adultery, prostitution, witchcraft, and many other practices that should have no place among those who call themselves followers of Christ. The problem is that corruption has become normal. It is like water that people drink. People have become accustomed to sin. They are no longer ashamed. They no longer weep over sin. They no longer humble themselves before God. But where is the fear of the Lord? Where is holiness? Where is repentance? The Word of God says: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Many are walking along, saying that they are going to heaven, but they do not know the truth. They confess Jesus with their lips, but they deny Him through their actions. Because if they truly belonged to Christ, they would love Christ. And whoever loves Jesus desires to obey Jesus. Whoever loves Jesus seeks holiness. Whoever fears God runs away from sin. Whoever knows the Word of God does not play with sin; they turn away from evil and seek to live in obedience. Jesus said: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Therefore, it is not enough to say, “I am a Christian.” It is not enough to sing gospel songs. It is not enough to raise your hands. It is not enough to attend church. It is not enough to say, “Lord, Lord.” You must be born again. You must repent. You must abandon sin. You must return to God. The church was not called to imitate the world. The church was called to be a light in the midst of darkness. We cannot live a life of sin during the week and then, on Sunday, raise our hands saying that we love Jesus. Those who belong to Christ must demonstrate Christ through their lives. Church, it is time to wake up! It is time for brokenness! It is time for repentance! It is time for sanctification! It is time to return to the Word of God! Because the Lord is calling His people back. “Be holy, because I am holy.” May God deliver us from a religion without transformation, from a church without holiness, and from a faith without obedience. May the Lord give us a broken and contrite heart, a heart that fears God and a life that glorifies the name of Jesus Christ. If you love Jesus, obey His Word. If you belong to Jesus, abandon sin. If you know Jesus, live in holiness. To Him be all the honor, all the glory, and all the praise. BY:Prophet Elijah [all]