#WHAT "WICKED WAYS"?

When I hear this verse quoted, "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."  (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV), I OFTEN think of what it means exactly in context of "genuine" Christ-followers.  Because, as you well know, the context of this passage was to Solomon and Israel, following a very specific set of events..

But, the real question you and I must ask ourselves is: "What "wicked ways"?  Are YOU not sincerely and wholeheartedly serving GOD, with complete resolve to live life for CHRIST with, for and on purpose! 

Are YOU still staggering or wavering at the promises of GOD? 

Is there "besetting sin" or "leanness of soul" that once and for all has to be excavated in your life?  

IF SO, don't wait! Humble yourself TODAY, and OBEY! You "defeated on your post", and in your particular geographic area of assignment is "producing the curse" — instead of the blessing; AND, your authority has been compromised and diminished to the point where "DARKNESS PREVAILS"!

I SUBMIT to YOU (the Body of Christ), "the conditions around you, are about the conflicts inside you", and the ONLY REMEDY is agreement and alignment with GOD -- spirit, soul and body!

GOD's PEOPLE, ARE "THE ISSUE"..

Today, like no other time in human history, the lives of "God's people" really need to be healed and made whole by HIS inexhaustible power!  How do I "know that"?  Because, "as it goes with Christ's Church", so it goes "in the nations that we actively or passively occupy", in HIS Name..

Families are being torn apart, every day. Violence, godlessness, and immorality are pervasively manifesting, everywhere. But, the Bible teaches that God is "not waiting for the world to change".  HE is looking -- not to the unbelievers, but "to His people" to "be" salt and light in the world that will continue to morally and spiritually decline, until the dispensation of "grace" is over; but, what about "us"?

Will we continue to "abdicate authority", while bowing and subjecting ourselves to lesser powers, or will we "grow up into HIM" and overcome?  

What we do, will determine whether HE will hear, forgive, and heal "our land (individual lives and generations); SO, why are we vacillating in our commitments, wavering in our devotion, and living "like the world", instead of peculiarly and powerfully living for GOD, and GOD alone!?!

You and I can play a vital part of a spiritual revolution that affects and impacts the world (as "true believers and followers of Christ) IF we "humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, while seeking FIRST His Kingdom; and then "turn away from any sin or wickedness in our own lives".  If all of us do this, the "revival in us" will change and transform the nations that we live!

WHAT IS THE CONTEXT OF 2 Chronicles 7:14?

THE PROPER CONTEXT is ALL ABOUT Israel and Solomon..

When Solomon became king, Israel was at the height of its power and influence. His father, David, had extended the borders, defeated their enemies, and brought peace. Instead of needing to fight wars, Solomon reigned during a time of prosperity when he was given the responsibility to build a temple for God.  After the temple was completed, he led the people in a time of dedication, prayer, praise, and rejoicing. Fire came down from heaven and the glory of God filled the temple.  

Shortly after this dedication, God appeared to Solomon at night and said that HE heard his prayers. But, GOD did not promise to respond to "every idle prayer" or take action -- even when there were legitimate needs.  Instead, GOD placed the burden on HIS people to "take authority and responsibility", and HIS "divine intervention" would always be SURE!  How "they" (the remnant in Israel) acted, would determine what HE did on their behalf, and because HIS promises were "conditional" -- solely based upon their responsiveness or obedience to HIS Word, the ONUS was "on them"!  And, YES, these words spoken to Israel and Solomon do speak to us also, but from what context?

THE APPLICATION OF 2 CHRONICLE 7:14 FOR CHRISTIANS..

"Profound change" is occurring by the moment in this country, but the primary issue is NOT just about a "rapidly declining moral compass"!  The CHURCH in America - and all over the world, IS RESPONSIBLE for the current state of affairs in our separate nations, by COMMISSION, by OMISSION, and by CONCESSION to the competing ideas and philosophies that governs the impact of our witness to the world!

CHRISTIANS must KNOW that in the coming decade and beyond, OUR FAITH will be challenged on a level we may have NEVER thought possible!  We must, STOP "PLAYING CHURCH", and wake up to the reality of the times and seasons, by strategically and thoughtfully positioning ourselves to "BE" a witness - in the truest sense of the word; with the FULL MANIFESTATION of God's Power flowing through our lives on a daily basis!

In the book of Revelation 3:15-21, the Bible says "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.  16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.  17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—. 18 "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  19 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.  20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  21 "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

No heights attained, no exclusive or choice ministry work done, and no special blessing received, is in itself "sufficient", to ensure that we "ride the wave of GOD's favor" from now on.  NOTHING, but continued fidelity and faithfulness to GOD, can or will ever guarantee a burden-free life for HIS people!  And, even then, accepting the reality that "HIS burden is easy, and HIS yoke is light", is ONLY something the remnant in Christ's Church can partake of.

Why is this important?  So, that the "false prosperity message", the "clergy abuse and greed", and the "following popular preachers" no longer is THE NORM!  What does this REALLY mean? The size of your church, the number of best-selling books you've written, or the frequency of you being sought-out by worldly commentators AND "talking heads", to philosophically espouse or comment on various religious matters of the day "publicly" does NOT give you a special place with GOD -- especially, if your heart and life is lived in complete opposition to HIS will and purpose!

"GRACE" IS AVAILABLE..

The "good news" for you and me is that "there is grace for us today"!  In Isaiah 55:6-7, the Bible says, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."  It's time for the people of God to wake up to the true purpose and calling of our lives.  It's time that we stop seeking the things of the world and give our lives to the total and wholehearted pursuit of Jesus Christ, with complete abandon and selflessness to the cause of the Kingdom.  And, because there is grace from on high that GOD longs to give us today, we should intentionally lays our lives down for HIM, to live BIG "in us" and "through us" for HIS glory!

YES, we can also choose to live marginal lives, where we experience and commune with God "part of the time" and live for the "fleeting and unsatisfying ways of the world".. The choice indeed, is ours to make. But, if will we passionately pursue relationship with Jesus, or will we allow the ways of this world to crowd out parts of our life -- like the weeds of life blocking us from the refreshing, life-giving presence of the living God? The choice is YOURS..

WHY IS IT SO INTENSE, RIGHT NOW?

The REFINER "sits" (Malachi 1-2), because HE's NOT in a rush to "deliver us, from us"! Instead, HE meticulously and intentionally purges and cleanses our souls a day at a time through the renewing of our minds, so that we ultimately reflect HIS character and nature, in preparation for "the redemption of our bodies" from "the corruptible to the incorruptible". 

Too many Christians assign this "process" to a feeling of CAPTIVITY, and their default posture -- during this refining work, is an autocratic and narcissistic philosophy that has "itching ears" and "polluted hearts" concerned about their "personal destiny" more than HIS "purposeful priority" for them in light of the end-time plans HE has in mind.

But, the Bible says, "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."  (Jeremiah 29:12)

THE URGENCY FOR INTIMACY, MATURITY AND UNITY..

The sea change going on the world right now, is causing an "identity crisis" in many confused and complacent believers, but WHY?  The ways of the world and the lust of corruption and greed that is commonplace, has to be EXPOSED and IDENTIFIED, "as judgment must begin at the house of GOD". 

As "living stones" being built into a "spiritual house", the separatist's mentalities and divisive isolationism that seems so common amongst segments of the Body of Christ, are NOW being eliminated, in light of the unifying agenda of the Father through the consummation and restitution of all things in Christ.  And, with the "true remnant in Christ's Church" recognizing the importance and "urgency for intimacy, maturity and unity", the context of 1 Peter 2:4-10 has even greater meaning:  

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.".  7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone," 8 and "A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense."[fn] They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.  9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

SIGNS OF THE TIMES..

The persecution, rejection and subordination of the Church and the things of GOD (HIS Holy Word) in the earth, is increasing by the moment, but NOT as a sign of DEFEAT or RETREAT!  The devaluing and diminishing importance of GOD "in culture", is JUDGMENT of the world and its "failing systems", and certainly testifies to the "alien culture" and "foreign embrace" -- which is demonic and humanistic in nature, that is so prevalent economically, politically and religiously in America; and EVERYWHERE the people have not determined "who their going to serve"!

IMPORTANT LINK:

https://www.askpastorwalter.com/2015/08/america-christian-nation.html?m=1