Being Relevant  

For I am the Lord, I change not (Malachi 3:6a).

Relevant or relevance became buzzwords in religious circles several years ago. However, in an effort to make the church relevant to today's world, some churches have done exactly the opposite. They have watered down the Word of God to make it appealing to larger numbers, and in the process, have delivered a message without substance or power. As a church slips farther and farther away from the life-transforming, life-enhancing truths in the Bible, it has less and less to offer potential members.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

The result is a steady decline in all denominations. As older members die and fewer young members come in to take their places, the statistics continue to drop. Even young people who were brought up in the church often don't see it as important anymore. The Church is becoming so lukewarm it has little to offer. It's becoming irrelevant.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void  (Isaiah 55:11a).

The churches that thrive long-term are the ones who proclaim the Word of God and His truths. Sadly, these churches are getting fewer all the time. When the emphasis is on entertainment, people pick and choose when they wish to attend. When a church aligns with the world's social agendas, there's no reason to attend. The world already clearly proclaims those. We should stick with the Word of God. We are promised that it shall not return unto Him void, and it has always been, is, and will always be relevant. We should cling tenaciously to Christ and let Him lead us.

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