I do not know if this is of western influences or particularly the American cultural effect, that the main source of churches problem today is not only less preaching, but mainly simply, irresponsibly accepting non-Christians as Christians. And when one has doubt about one's faith, the churches would immediately convince one with vain emphasis disregarding and ignoring one's doubt, as if they are afraid of losing a member.
In a way, they thought they are being caring, loving, doing God's will. They thought nothing can go wrong with this "method". Some might say, if it went wrong, then God is stupid. I would respond to them, Don't be Lazy, Be Responsible.
Some things take time and patience. If someone who's not yet a Christian was convinced that he is already a Christian, he'll never get the chance to truly repent and be truly saved. And also, the smartie who convinced him in the first place is responsible for being such a Stumbling Block to him. It is not what you think is right that is right, it is what God wills. Or you would suffer the fate of Uzza (1 Chronicles 13).
I'm not talking about welcoming everyone to Christ. I'm talking about an act which gradually perverse the grace of God. Making those who weren't ready believe that they are Christians by slightly changing the definition of being a Christian, compromising main doctrine.
Sometimes, even non-Christians are confused by these cowardly churches and were convinced by the church clergies that they, the non-Christians are Christians now...
Peter said, to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has to be done together. If merely grace, then it will be heading a dangerous zone, and the church would have to suffer unnecessary sacrifices, pathetically hoping for a balance.
In America, I am greatly dismayed by churches that value quantity over quality, and churches that indirectly assume everyone is sort of Christian (hence no burden of preaching the Gospel directly, but rather, sharing their "moral kindness", for preaching the Gospel is not as comfortable). For they will say, who are you to judge who is Christian and who is not? If I need to answer this, who are you to judge who is Christian then? Only by following God's word can we be separated unto holiness. There is a fine line between holiness and unholiness. It is our duty to judge, to discern that.
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