LIFT UP YOUR EYES

Jesus urged his disciples to lift up their eyes to see a waiting harvest of souls (John 4:35). Today we are urging brethren to lift up their eyes and behold the destructive blight that has invaded the borders of the kingdom of Christ.  This withering disease is called the change movement. It's deadly spores have already overwhelmed many of our largest congregations and universities. Just today I spoke with a missionary from Europe who reported that it has already ravaged many of our churches on the Continent.

This blight is bad, but the situation is worsened by the fact that many brethren are yet totally unaware of or unconcerned about the problem.

• There is a multitude of good elders, preachers and members whose knowledge of and interest in the Lord's church is pretty well limited to their home congregation.  They are oblivious to the devastation occurring in the next town or even the neighboring congregation. As long as they can't see the problem in their Sunday service, they are oblivious to it. They won't know until the blight hits their church and decimates it.

• There are many leaders who, while not inclined to pursue the change agenda, do not want to know what is happening. They consciously close their eyes and ears to the unpleasant news. Perhaps they don't want to get involved. They may hope it will go away so they will not have to face it. Maybe they are battle weary. Possibly they just don't care. Such ignorance is not excusable in those who have been entrusted with the care of God's people.  When responsibility for the harm is assessed they will be guilty of willful negligence.

• There are starry-eyed optimists. In their naivety they keep telling themselves that everything is rosy, that we have entered the golden age of church improvement.  These folks will have the surprise of their lives when their spiritual garden withers under the blight of apostasy sweeping over them.

• There are some who seem to secretly hope that the change agents will prevail.  They are weary of wrangling, tied of negative preaching, burned out on a do nothing approach to Christianity. They don't realize that the change movement is a phony substitute that has nothing substantial to offer them; only the dried husks and cobs of a blighted religion. God's blessings will rest on those who faithful stay on the path of righteousness, turning aside neither to the hand nor the left (Prov. 4:25-27).

I plead with all who read these lines to: awake from your sleep and lethargy (Eph. 5:14); lift up your eyes and behold the danger (John 4:35); arm yourself for the conflict (Eph. 6:13-17); take your place on the battlements (I Tim. 6:12).  If sufficient brethren and sisters do not do so, our losses will be monumental.

If you wish would like to know how you can help, please write or call as soon as possible. John Waddey, 12630 W. Foxfire Dr., Sun City West, AZ 85375. Phone: (623) 214-3715. E-mail: johnwaddey@aol.com .