0755. Satan's Fourfold Success–A Form of Godliness

Satan’s Fourfold Success–A Form of Godliness

"Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof" (2Ti_3:5).

Nobody would for a moment suggest that the church has lost its form of Godliness.

The fact is that it was never more formal. The people come to a Sunday morning service; then go through a formal worship; they manifest every outward mark of real piety; they worship God with their lips; they even bring their offerings and place them upon His altar–but the old-time power is gone.

Satan has so gripped the churches of today that it seems almost impossible to have a Pentecostal revival.

Illustration: A pastor on one occasion, in the groanings of his soul, asked me, "Why can’t we have a revival in our church?" He was a good man. He preached the true Message. He believed in the Holy Ghost. He knew the power of the Blood. But he could not have a revival. We answered his question by reminding him that, in his church, the deacons who took up the collection were worldly money-makers. Some of them were making money by renting their stores and dwellings for illegal purposes. One of them owned the leading drug store in the city, and his store was the headquarters for the theaters and even Monte Carlo was advertised under his patronage.

Teachers in the Sunday School of that church were regular in their attendance at the dances, and some of them went so far as to give dances to their own Sunday School scholars.

The church took no definite stand for discipline or for separation. For the most part, its members, if saved at all, were carnal and living after the flesh.

No wonder then that the minister could not have a revival. Our God is not dead; the Holy Ghost has not lost His power; but the church has lost its position among those who stand by.

Satan has engulfed the church in a fellowing with the world which has compelled God to hide His face and to restrain His blessing.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR