Seeker friendly.

Dichotomy exists in approach to Christian living...and what constitutes a Christian life.

I've heard a lot from varying corners, recently, in terms of too great a burden being placed upon and in front of people who are "contemplating Christianity." Or in front of people who profess Christianity? I'm not sure where the distinction lies, really, as far as that argument goes.

...as to whether the "hurdles" placed in front of people are in terms of people who are saved, people who aren't saved...or people who are purported to be in some sort of figmentary middle space.

Just, it seems a very strange proposition, either way--the idea that "too much is being asked" of people who are...scoping out?...Christianity. ...and is presumed to be thus "running them off."

The tone of the previous article read, yesterday, gave the impression that pastors were being admonished for taking too "high handed" an approach in regard to the expectation of holiness being preached to the congregants.

So, two completely different matters, there.

Either way, though, I'm a bit dumbfounded.

Where have the presumably Christian authors factored in God's sovereign will, according to what and how need go the services and the expectations placed upon Christians?

The article linked a few sentences (link removed) ago reads as though there's really not any awareness whatsoever of the Lord having a stake in how or when or why folks might be drawn into attendance. No, it reads as though concern is strictly human-focused, in regard to everyone's "comfort" and best personal interests. I don't know how myopic my perspective is entirely on this count, but again...I'm a bit dumbfounded in terms of where the Holy Spirit's guidance factors in, on any count thereabouts.

That seems the vast majority of most modern discourse on the church, though--there doesn't seem to be any thought given to God, except as a loosely defined concept about which the apparent ordeal of religion is supposed to otherwise focus. And I'm sure that anyone who writes such a piece would wholeheartedly attest that's not the case, and be able to retort with all sorts of theologically sound rebuttals as evidence of their intellectual stake in Christ's work.. ..but if that's all church is offering people--intellectual stimulation, sans spiritual rebirth, absent Christ's Gospel--it's no surprise people are looking elsewhere.

There must be balance. Must. Spirit-ordained, Spirit-directed balance. Per leaders which walk closely with the Lord. Because it's the Holy Spirit's place to perform the work of salvation and sanctification--not the pastor's. Not the congregants. Our role is obedience. Worship, prayer, devotional studies, attendant inquiry into the Word of God, fellowship with others who are similarly being discipled by the Holy Spirit. Obedience.

And, yes, I know He does use theological dissertations and methodology to draw people to Him. But not in absentia of His presence. To use a crass and wholly inept simile... ...that would be like trying to explore the flavors of different cakes by reading Duncan Hines boxes. Yeah, sure, you might be able to imagine something of what a cake would taste like, according to the picture and the ingredients list, but your experience of a carrot cake is going to be sorely lacking as only having been experienced per the cardboard imagery at your fingertips.

I wandered across a quote last night which further resolved the final point, in regard to theology.. ..which, of course it wasn't clipped for further consideration, but the central point was that theology had to be approached with the same discernment called for in the Scripture accordant of any prophecy. So there is such a thing as inspired theology, in other words. Regardless of whether it's self-identified as such, still, that's the base matter of consideration in regard to applicability to development of faith.

Which is wherein theology and methodology can draw folks. Because the Lord will have mercy upon whom He will. And He will use whatsoever He wills, as all is to the good for those who are called according to His purpose--not to say that the experiences, the methods, the doctrines...in and of themselves...are in any way responsible for drawing people to a saving knowledge of Christ or even for sanctifying those who know Christ.. ..but the Lord can and will use whatsoever He wills.

He could use a gospel tract, a billboard (even an athiestic billboard, honestly, as a means of allowing someone to see Him via contrast), or anything. Not that He necessarily will, but He can and has.

The first time I ever had a revelatory experience of Him, for instance, I was staring at an under-cabinet microwave...alone, in a church kitchen...wondering. Just beginning to wonder, really, at the truth of God. One of the first two instances where there was ever a direct "response" as something which was wholly not of me, but yet which was as a still, small "voice" responding directly as in total peace and authority. Just to the thought, "Are You real?" ...and, it seems such a strange thing, in retrospect, to realize how completely freaked out I was over what came to mind (completely unsettled enough as to seek out the perceived safety of the company of others)... ((if (I'm) not, then who are you asking))

People don't want to hear Him, though, generally. According to Exodus, especially.

Exodus 20:18-20 

18And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Even the "still, small voice" of God is abjectly terrifying, in a way. In the same way that God is fearsome. Seriously. Like, He created the entire universe as an act of will. No struggle involved, just will. And each one of us is just an absolutely minute, not even cellular-level point of existence in context of the all which is... ...and He is all, in all. So, yeah.

1 Kings 19 

11And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

He has the power to give and to take away, though. Which means, even further, that He's absolutely to be feared. I mean, have you read about the experiences of the prophets and the apostles who saw Him? Even the apostle John, who knew Christ before...dropped to his face, before Him. And Ezekiel and Isaiah? They were pretty sure they were completely undone, just given their total and abjectly incontestable lack in the face of His holiness and majesty.

A clear revelation of the Lord, in any capacity, is enough to have a person expect immediate disintegration. As C.S. Lewis basically put it, He is not a tame lion.

Yet He is good. And faithful. And loving. And merciful. Our only hope, in the face of a holy God, is that He is good...and merciful...and full of grace (which is all possible only in Jesus Christ).

So, how is it we get caught up on studies of demographics, when it comes time to "discern" why church attendance is down? I mean, if our first instinct isn't to throw ourselves into the dust at the Lord's feet, trembling in terror at the prospect of the blood of the land being on our heads, for not having actively, faithfully transmitted the message He's given any each of us... ...when people start turning away from faith, in favor of worshipping such idols as "long-term security," "financial success," "professional demands," and what-soever else would detract from seeking the face of the Creator... ...if our first impulse is, instead, to look at one another for answers?

I don't know, that just seems somehow off.

There always has to be balance. Always. Except when it comes to acts of disobedience, in which case--the only "balance" in regard to those is of an absence thereof. 

Sermons listened to over the past few weeks have definitely made a strong impression of how dire our predicament is, as a nation...as a society...as a species, even, perhaps. But definitely as a nation and society, at the least.

This past Sunday's sermon focused on the time of the judges, terminating at a point where there was "no king," i.e., no one held in esteem as sovereign--God had been abandoned by the nation of Israel, in favor of all turning to their own ways. Reckless. Point was made, in terms of Ruth's father-in-law, that he left Bethlehem out of pragmatic attempt at self-preservation. He left, becoming an alien amidst a foreign people, forsaking God's provision, refusing to seek obedience as to be done with the famine... ...out of what equated to a series of "reasonable decisions," which were nonetheless disobedient.

Aren't we experiencing a famine in the land, as goes the direction of God? 

And the general standard for approaching this conundrum has somehow become a series of how-to's for saving churches in decline. Rather than seeking God, foremost...and then going to edify one another. Rather than crying out to Him between the porch and the altar... ...crying out for His sovereign hand to guide and to direct... 

Joel 2 

16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and the nursing infants. Let the bridegroom come out of his room And the bride out of her bridal chamber. 17Let the priests, the LORD'S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, 'Where is their God?'"

And yet... ...we're conducting demographic studies and analyzing the potential psychological impacts of sermons? Which is wherein one aspect of the double-mindedness of modern Christian life entirely resides. Seeking, through devoted study of the situation, to perceive, diagnose, and prescribe solutions for the current state of decline--rather than seeking God, the one responsible for our very existence as a species, let alone even as His people. This, even to the extent, as with the linked article, of having become self-conscious in regard to potentially being seen as "weird" by people who don't go to church, despite that "we like having a life outside of church," too..if we even so much as begin to think about inviting people to "just attend a service."

It's not an "us" and "them" situation, though, along those implied lines. It's about God. It's about Jesus Christ--who He is, what He's done, and what He wants to do for each and all.

Mark 114Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, 15and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Luke 2444And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

...which is not necessarily "what the church wants from people." 

God...wants obedience. He defines that. He outlines it. He decrees it. He's absolutely justified in requiring it. 

And yet, somehow, we've made the whole idea of church into something which is about us--flipped the paradigm entirely: we now go to church because it makes us feel better, thus we're worshipping ourselves rather than worshipping God. I've heard it time and again, that Sunday mornings are now the highlight of a week's worth of self-idolatry, but it had never been so clear.

So, we tend to begin to think God is asking too much of us, in requiring holiness of His people? He's well within His rights to have never ordained our birth, nor to have allowed your lungs to function. Without there being even potential for any aspersion cast upon His character, even were there to be developmental "difficulties"--a part of the unfortunate case as a result of original sin, as the curse of death was then cast shadow by our own actions--He yet is fully and totally justified in requiring abject worship and devotion and obedience, nonetheless. There's no such thing as a "raw deal" or "unfairness" in one's given lot in life, when it comes to realizing that none of us are due any right of expecting to be able to exist--it is all grace, unmerited favor shown to us, no matter what seeming tragedy or suffering besets. 

I don't know, it's just... ...so many people seek to "judge" God, these days. To the extent that I've heard the assertion made that we're justified in judging God--as though the idea of not doing so were completely unthinkable. And it rankles. It's absolute blasphemy. And completely illogical, in terms of the state of matters.

So, church literature which purports a need to "scale down" the requirements of repentance and holiness and renouncement of sin--to make church more palatable... ...is entirely in accord with the idea that it's not completely and totally absurd to judge God. It's blasphemy, really, coming from the mouth of someone who claims to love the Lord.

There are just so many things we need, it's easy to become transfixed on things which are at-hand as apparent. When, yet, God is a foremost need beyond our ability to even conceive the depths of such a need. His grace gives us life, affords us breath, allows us the capacity to provide for ourselves and one another. And, yet, somehow we still tend to, time and again, walk after so many idols. Thinking, as Elimelech did, that it's better to be "practical" and tend to "necessities" and then take time to "worry about God."  

Ruth 11Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Which...really...just goes to further show that God isn't at all like us. If He were like a human king or ruler, whose subjects acted in that way, we'd all receive nothing except punishment. There'd be no permissive indulgence for us...as in the pleasure of a beautiful sunset, the delight of a balmly summer breeze, the joy of a child's laugh, the excitement of a trip across the country... ...no simple joy in having "favorite colors," "favorite movies," or even moments of restful relaxation after a particularly trying day.

No, if He were the same as us, He wouldn't be so very merciful as to allow the common graces as those which are interspersed as joys in the lives of many. We would all be in torment for the entirety of our lives, if we were even given to be born at all. Which, if He were like us...any one of us would have likely ended all of humanity in the Garden, at the first point of disobedience. 

He's so much better than we are, though. So much more righteous than we could ever be. So much more patient. So much more loving. That, even when those who call themselves by His name begin to glorify themselves in His name, He yet doesn't immediately smite us all. But begins to bring awareness, bit by bit, that we can begin to mourn for our sinfulness and departure from Him. 

That's mercy. 

I'm just still so very confused over how things are at the point where it's generally assumed that Christianity doesn't require anything of us. That it's like choosing a political affiliation, rather than embarking upon a completely new way of life as empowered by the supernatural and sovereign Lord of All.

That's what's been so confusing, along the last...oh, has it been eight months, now? Something like that. Since having been converted and being drawn along and discipled.

I've been in churches, now, which allude to the process. And, most blessedly, I've now also been in a church which focuses on knowing Christ--on coming to see Him more clearly...as a means to all necessities (which is truth). 

Yet it's far and few between, to hear anyone really outline quite how distinct a difference there is between "practicing Christianity," "becoming a Christian," and actually, truly living a life devoted to Christ. Actually being a Christian, in other words.

Most of what I see and read of "Christian" literature and writing comes across as apologetic. Apologetic to the world, at-large. Apologizing for Christianity making the claims it does. Apologizing for Christianity staking any claims on people's time or interests or money or family or whatsoever else. Apologizing for asking people to do anything they don't want to do, let alone even approaching requirement that we be holy as God is holy, thus forsake our sins.

Most of what I read had that undertone of apology, wherein some sort of middle-ground is sought between the church and the world, so as to presumably draw the world into the church? 

I'm not sure where that computes. How it computes.

There has to be some way to talk about the Lord which doesn't automatically drive people to their pitchforks in revolt. But, at the same time, which doesn't attempt to make apology for the "offensiveness" of Christ and His message (being ashamed of the Gospel isn't a good thing--from what I read, at least...Matthew 11:6-style).

Maybe it has something to do with being led by the Holy Spirit? 

That's the best I can figure, at least. Which is certainly a "strange" place to be in, for anyone who has a preference for planning, granted.

All the more reason to repent and cry out in desperation for direction.

It goes against everything in us to defer to anyone outside of our immediate social circle, in terms of expectations for behavior. And, even further than that, it goes against everything we're brought up to believe, to really believe we have reason to go against our own preconceived notions of self-interest in regard to anything--ultimately, there's always some way to find a niche which allows for personal predilection. So, when it comes to deferring to God? It goes against everything in us to depend upon an unseen God for direction. 

Which is wherein comes the furtherance of that particular double-mindedness which so pervades church. There's a persistent belief (existent from the beginning of the Christian church, apparently) which insists that we can seek God, pursue God, know God, and obey Him...on our own terms, with only passing regard for those He's outlined.

One pastor listened to a couple nights ago put it this way (paraphrase): You go to church to be warmed by the fire, and you want to keep God in sight. But not any closer, because you don't know what He'll require of you. He might ask more than you're willing to give.

...which, ultimately, equates to self-idolatry.

And it's scary to denote the tendency as so prevalent. It's only by grace that the Lord even allows me to see that tendency in myself, as well, so as to pray through and pray for deliverance and for grace to be conformed. Which will ever be sought.

Point being, though--we're trying to seek God, on our terms. We're trying to find Him without having to give up our idols, primarily.

We're trying to bring people in, as though Christianity were a social club, rather than a spiritual development which completely revolutionizes a person's life. Or, at least, had ought do so.

If it hasn't changed your life entirely, I'd have to wonder if you might be doing it the way I used to: holding onto the idea of Christ while refusing His fellowship (running from Him in terror, more accurately). 

Church isn't meant to merely be somewhere to go and de-stress, one day a week, while receiving the most "culturally relevant" therapeutic messages of inspiration. 

It's supposed to offer continual revelations of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit draws congregants unto salvation and sanctification, providing Spirit-given guidelines for spiritual progress, presenting a (more literal-sense) spirit level for assessments of growth in the Spirit, and providing opportunity for fellowship with other Christians in which to experience direct edification in Christ. 

Again...as opposed to being somewhere to go as to be able to check an item off a "To-Do" list.

Big difference. 

Big difference, still, in terms of it being a matter of seeking a deeper relationship with Christ (which is truly our only hope) as opposed to equating to a moment of indulging oneself in "a move of the Spirit." Big, big, humongous difference.

So, we're stuck on a few different planes, in regard to the Lord, as a whole.

We want to have a "spiritual life," without it requiring anything of us.

We want to "know God," without having a life-altering experience as part of the process.

We want to "enrich our lives" by being part of something bigger than ourselves, without compromising on our own sense of identity.

We want to be "in an environment which encourages us to be our best," without being asked to do anything we don't want to do.

We want to keep "traditions and values which our parents had," without taking them to heart.

We want to "be better people, like Christ was" without surrendering completely to humility even unto suffering. as He did.

We want to "be part of church," without being weird like one of those "spiritual people" who take it seriously and talk about holiness.

We want to "teach our kids how to be good citizens" without expecting them to believe in Christ.

We want the church to serve our interests, without being willing to give anything except our excess in return.

We want, we want, we want.

The church isn't, nor has it ever been, nor will it ever be...about us.

It's about God. God offering an opportunity to know Him, to be saved from ourselves. 

Which we need. Period.

So, all this attempt to pinpoint "what needs to be done to bring people back to church and to keep the ones who are there?"

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

...and, as far as this concern about driving people away?

*ahem* 

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

...and, when it comes to believing that the world is worse now than it's ever been and that there are many who are walking in bold defiance of God who are beyond the pale?

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

...and, in terms of believing that the world is better now than it's ever been, and that man-kind has only begun to reach a point of true beneficience which will only flourish as time goes on, such that we will find peace and accord?

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

...and, in terms of thinking people might believe you're a total weird-o for actually believing the stuff in the Bible, of all things???

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

In other words:

Pray. Seek the face of God.

Repent, for the kingdom of God is at-hand.

Pray. Cry out as though your very life depended upon it (Pro-tip: It does, as do the lives and eternities of many others...incentive, much? Pray that it will become moreso.).

...

I've been asking Him about this stuff for months, and continually, that's where everything goes.

We must return to Him. Ah, yes:

2 Chronicles 7
13If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Metaphorically speaking, even, it's all right there. And that verse has been haunting every corner, increasingly, for the past three months. To the extent that it was also in one part of a sermon just finished (listened to the sermon after linking herein, interjected activity prior to this paragraph).

That's it, though. Prayer has been the call, prayer is the call. Seeking the face of God.

As opposed to any sort of dichotomous perception of what Christianity is "about," or in regard to "Christian living." Just...seek God. Seek Him, first and foremost, always. In all things. And everything else really will fall into place (as He so ordains, truthfully). Pray, praise, read the Bible, study the Bible, fellowship with Christians (edifying one another in Christ!), and seek Him!

He'll bring us to repentance, He'll direct our sanctification, He'll guide us into holiness, He'll give us the words we need so as to share His love with others. He will manifest Himself in and through us. So long as we yield! Humbling ourselves and praying always!

It's what He's always done. It's what He does. 

We've just basically turned redcoat and run on Him. All over again. Again and again.

Seems that's the continual case. The continual course. We get to a point of feeling "secure" in our blessings, and then we start looking to our blessings, rather than to their source. ..and, in looking to our blessings, we forget that their presence is a result of obedience, as the land yields her bounty even to those who are obedient to the Lord, just per the course of how creation apparently operates.

Yet, no matter how many times that course has ever been run, it seems we never cease going back to that stance Elimelech took, after the point of having the land ("church," peace, society, economy, morality, etc.) dry up, because of our rebellion against the God who is our source of all good... ...having already gotten to a point of idolatry in terms of our "blessings," which rebellion led to "drought/famine," then we yet tend to go along a course of pragmatic, reasonable, "intelligent" response. Rather than repentance.

We try to think our way our of the quandry we've found ourselves in, in other words.

We try to find a new way of doing things, which ultimately takes us into completely alien territory as being wholly outside of the provision of the Lord... ...we effectively march ourselves into exile, in a spiritual sense.

Aliens, in an alien land--thinking to "sojourn" there, we end up miring ourselves in rebellion unto death.

Because the alternative isn't "palatable."

The alternative being repentance. Mournful, wholehearted pleading with the Lord to help us, to save us from ourselves. 

We would prefer to believe nothing's wrong which we can't fix, just given a little elbow grease and a lot of duct tape. We prefer to hold up an outstretched palm, motioning against God, signaling Him not to come any closer.. ..while we continue to look in the other direction and frantically meddle with whatsoever is left that's not entirely broken yet, attempting to whip it into a frenzy of activity in hopes that doing so will somehow resuscitate the rest of the (no-longer-even-recognizeable-as-spiritual) mechanisms, in order to bring the whole works back into motion according to our own intents, our own designs... ...so as to prove ourselves self-sufficient, as that we don't need divine intervention.

...except for the occasional "tingle" or "tearful" service, so as to be able to pat one another on the back, that God is still "with us."

I just don't see that, in terms of the Bible. I've read this and that in regard to "dispensations" and "cessationism" and the like, passingly these past few months--not enough to know, admittedly, just enough to attempt to gauge the extent to which any actively is founded upon Scripture. And having also surveyed what standard hermenuetics are, in terms of acquiring valid exegesis on any given passage or concept... ...I'm still a bit confounded at how much of what's contrived is viewed as anything other than contrivance, in terms of "cessationism."

God is God. We are not. Never have been, never will be, and couldn't handle it even if He were so willing as to allow us the opportunity (we'd self destruct in less than 10 minutes, as a group).

The focus in terms of "what God does" and "what God doesn't do" "these days" is very, very strange, in context of the underlying message of the entire Bible. Which, again: He is God.

And, upon that... He is unchanging. 

We change. But, even then...we only change so much. Our technologies change. We... ...change a little. Our basic nature is pretty much the same as it's ever been: also according to Scripture (and historical accounts of the world's societies and peoples). 

So much of what's written and said in churches moreover seems an attempt to (and this is said with bowed acknowledgment of the blasphemy which the concept entails) "have God around, to keep Him handy." Which means that the generally touted call for "revival" is entirely skewed according to the baseline assumptions inherent of that sort of mentality.

Still, there's a recognized need for a so-called "move of God," in the land, in the church, in the world. ...in each of us, moreover.

The thing is..

..again, the dichotomy of thought in regard to that acknowledged need is one which is entirely self-defeating. James admonished that a double-minded man asks without any hope of receiving. So, same as with this call for growth, call for "revival," call for "a move of God." ...so long as the double-mindedness is entirely prevalent in the church, itself, then we are asking both amiss and without belief.

God doesn't operate according to Burger King's purported philosophy. And the expectation that He will concede to our desires, simply because He is good... ...is very shaky ground to be treading.

He will honor His name. He will do for His own name's sake what is in His nature to do. (by grace, we're all still alive right now, for example...some of us even being brought to an awareness of His will again, even) But He will not forever abide the abominations making desolate the lands of the world (i.e., it had been said that the land itself would begin to spew out the peoples, for their sinfulness). He will not forever tolerate the abominations making desolate His temples. Not the endless self-idolatry of those professing the Lord as their God--He will not forever abide us all doing so.

1 Corinthians 3

16Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. (18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.)

...and, further:

1 Corinthians 6 

12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

...and to consider:

Proverbs 6 

16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

There are just so many things.

We are in such dire need of prayer, all of us. Prayer is of utmost importance, now. Seeking the face of God. Before all things else. Being guided by Him, in that.

Rather than doing anything rash, even. Which, no matter where a person is, what their stance, what their position, or what their purpose to the Lord...we each may have tendency to want to just abandon all restraints, instantly, as to then be "fully available" to the Lord. He doesn't rush us, though. He doesn't create a sense of anxiety, unto frenzied momentum. Rather, He urges us steadily onward unto a clearer, more direct focus upon who He is (such a vision is the greatest blessing as it "frees" from any sense of futility to life, giving new depth and meaning to all which could be conceived as otherwise mundane by framing even the most seemingly minute of acts in terms of being given as  service to the glory of the one true, living God).

We must, must, must seek Him first. Repent of our wickedness, in whatsoever fashion we enact such a manner of being... ...repent of our rebellion and resistance to Him... ...and seek Him first.

 With me, at least--I didn't even have any idea whatsoever what all that even meant, let alone how to go about it. But it rang true.

Matthew 6
25Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Verse 33, especially.
Just praying over that verse, the Lord opened doors. He shed light on other Scripture. Making more of the Word coherent and cohesive. The entire book is one story, as it goes. There's nothing to be taken entirely out, unto itself. The whole of the Bible is a single context. Not "this here" and "that there," no. The story is continuous, interdependent, and cumulative, even as it ultimately culminates in entirely pivotal truths and revelations.  The whole isn't intended to be taken piecemeal for adaptation, no, but as an single statement.

With predominant themes.

Two of which are the necessity of repentance and of prayer, in terms of seeking God.

Which, many are saying they want Him.

But persistent dichotomy of thought, in regard to our desire to make God more...approachable...doesn't well fit into the paradigm of Biblical Christianity as relayed within Scripture.

He tells us, all the while, that we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart. And He tells us quite who we'll be finding. He tells us who He is.

So...considering what's "available on the market," generally-speaking, today...

...why would you say church attendance and "Christianity" is in decline (in America, at least), thinking in terms of what the Bible actually describes as Christianity, and thus as what it means to truly seek and to find God--on His terms?