1Peter 4:17 "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?"
Many years ago I noticed the phenomenon where a usually timid and peaceful person would get behind the wheel of a 2,000 pound vehicle and morph into a very aggressive and often violent road raged offender. I also noticed at some point how people hidden behind a mask or intoxicating alcohol or drugs also afford them to manifest hidden intents of the heart.
Since getting "Online" several years ago, I have been amazed at the vast chasm of those who hide behind their nicknames and online monikers regarding the truth of their ideology and who they really are. Especially from the so called christian forums that use aliases and hide in the dark shadows of the Internet. The Internet of course draws many people without a life to vent and play games on many sites but these are usually easy to spot and discounting the "usual suspects" still reveals a disturbing truth.
The interesting thing is none of these "posers" really believe the nonsense they spout or they would have the courage to "come out" and defend their positions and leave the groups they poison by their hypocrisy. It's no wonder many churches are anemic and powerless to engage the enemy as the leaven within has leavened the whole lump.
The upside of the matter is that the Internet is making it plain how wide the chasm is between Bible believing committed Christians and everyone else. The lines in the sand are drawn and those lines do not disappear at the church door. "The world will hate you." Matthew 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ... Matt 24: 10And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
11And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
The entire chapter of Matthew 24 is about the end times. The Lord is warning us that even among us will be hatred and betrayal. Preachers must address this issue if weaker saints are to "endure to the end." As an evangelist I have been in many churches where many pastors are oblivious to the tares who oppress others with their unkindness and gossiping and backbiting that drive many away.
These tares of course are professional "two-faced impostors" that fool most who are in position to correct them. So when we see that even in the open these can hide in plain sight, how important it is that those in ministry fast and pray for discernment and wisdom. While there is a fine line between over-lording and controlling God's flock, the omission to protect the innocent lambs is a sin. Ignorance of the infractions is no excuse for the under-Sheppard must be vigilant, fasting and praying...full of the Holy Ghost and able to recognize spiritual wickedness. God expects more from his ministers or there would be no five fold ministry! When a pastor cannot recognize one of the flock in spiritual crisis, he has failed to be pastor to that one and odds are there will be many more.
So as the wired world is "outing" itself in these end times, we know For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
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