My thoughts about Reformed Churches today

I joined a Reformed Church for the first time in the summer of 2005 because I discovered after 30+ years as a Christian, that no matter how sincere Churches may be, Churches without discernment are sure to err. Why? I am having problems with any Churches today that are having an unreality and unconscious hyprocrisy when they are using God for their own interests. There are Churches who are trying to meet what people want more than what God wants. Therefore there are Churches who are teaching doctrines that Jesus and His Apostles didn't really taught. From the "surface", Christians are looking for any denominations or non-denominational churches who teaches the way people WANT to hear so they could give their time to pursuits more to their liking, such as enjoying the pleasures of the world. If people are seeking God for their own selfishness (self-interest), that is pride of sin. The problem when people are "looking at Churches" today, they are looking at the appearances such as success, healing, music and etc. My main problem with Churches today are teaching doctrines that are not biblical just to attract people with itching ears so they will be motivated to do something for themselves rather than sound spiritual docrine. God have a problem with those who practice such "intend" that He never indended.

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. — 2 Timothy 4:3

God is not impressed by our works (1. Samuel 16:7). The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord don't make decisions the way you do. People judge by outward appearance (i.e. works), but the Lord looks at a person's (in this case, Church's) thoughts and intentions (heart)." (NLT) Some of the examples that God warned Christians about what Churches will become before End Times are as follows: 1. have left their first love - a sincere love for Christ. 2. have chosen the riches of Christ rather the riches and fame of this world. 3. allowed itself to slip into a “works gospel” mode instead of one that serve the Lord Jesus Christ and stands by faith alone. They now think that they please God through their good deeds. 4. congregation that is spiritually dead even though they go through the outward motions of being alive. It reality it is simply ritualism. They have a great respectability in society. 5. Expecially this famous Church in Laodicea (3:14-22) was a church that has completely lost its way. She has compromised on every possible level so as to be acceptable to the world and false religion. It has great wealth and claims to be open minded. For some reason they think that by adding God’s name to all they do that it pleases God. By using Laodicea as an example in God's point of view, if you ever had occasion to drink a lukewarm soft drink, you know the feeling. This is an illustration of a lukewarm drink to describe the distaste that makes God spit out the church at Laodicea. He doesn't want to have anything to do with it. The Laodicean church was neither hot or cold; it was nauseating to God. The lukewarm ones are professing Christians who play religious games with God, but are not really His. They have been touched by the gospel in some way. They nauseate God because they know the truth but avoid it. I have posted in another thread that There are people who claim to follow Christ who will avoid hearing "sound doctrine" (See 2 Timothy 4:1-8). There are many who profess to follow Christ seem to be unyielding to God's Word because they prefer to be surrounded by teachers who will tell them exactly what they want to hear. In 2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." Jesus pleads with individuals (church at) Laodicea today, "I want you to follow me and be my true disciple as told the rich ruler." He was also pleading with individuals in the Laodicean church (especiallytoday) to obey Him before it was too late. Jesus cannot have disciples whose hearts are full of self-centered desires because disciples are to have Godly desires. Scriptures states that our own interests before God is sin, in God's point of view. The Word of God exposed the sin of self-interest and that we are to live God-centered and others-centered life. If we are seeking God out of my own selfishness (self-interest) other than our personal salvation with Jesus Christ is a form of idolatry which is sin. Churches should follow an example of Jesus written in the Bible. Remember the story about the rich ruler? Jesus looked after the rich young ruler as he walked away, but Jesus did not follow him or attempt to coerce him. Jesus wants people make their own moral choices; and Christ knew this and permitted rich ruler to go his own chosen way. Jesus is saying that He cannot do our repenting for us. He died for our sins, now it is up to us to pick up the cross. "Salvation is free, ... but discipleship will cost you your life." (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) A disciple must understand that God is both holy and loving; that I am a sinner, are made in the image of God; that Christ's death was the substitute payment for my sin; and that because of Jesus' payment, I am granted access to the heart of God. Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Many of today Churches are completely ignoring the whole biblical concept of Lordship and obedience. Christians hesitate and delay true obedience to God because they know God is asking them to quit their own selfishness and interests. Christian Quotes: ...the eyes of God will always be attentive to guard those who shall be attentive to his instructions. John Calvin The Lord will not save those he cannot command. A.W. Tozer Humility is the secret of fellowship, and pride the secret of division. Robert C. Chapman God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. Dwight L. Moody Pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes. John Ruskin Pride consists in an unduly exalted opinion of one's self. It is, therefore, impatient of a rival, hates a superior, and cannot endure a master. Edward Payson When men stand high their heads do not grow dizzy till they look down; when men look down upon those that are worse than themselves, or less holy than themselves, then their heads turn round; looking up would cure this disease. The most holy men, when once they have fixed their eyes awhile upon God's holiness, and then looked upon themselves, have been quite out of love with themselves. William Gurnall Proud hearts breed proud looks and stiff knees. Charles Spurgeon Many ask good questions with a design rather to justify themselves than inform themselves, rather proudly to show what is good in them than humbly to see what is bad in them. Matthew Henry Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions, and even of many evil practices, which have a great show and appearance of humility. Matthew Henry I can see why Reformed Churches are slowly growing. I also noticed those who have been Christians for years in a non-reformed Churches are realizing what is going on and started looking into Reformed Churches as I did.