"Remember from whence thou hast fallen, and repent, and do the first works..."--Revelation 2:5
We must remember. The Church built America. It has never been perfect, for the church that built her is not perfect. The sins in the church get embedded in the culture. In fact, what the body of Christ tolerates in one generation is embraced to excess in the next generation within the culture at large. Yet, much more are the blessings that flow from holiness and obedience. The believers that consciously intended to build a society based on the Bible, especially here in New England, brought many blessings from God that would not be here today had they not been willing to sacrifice it all. We must remember what those who came before us did yesterday in order to truly embrace a vision for what God can do tomorrow.
We must repent. The depth of our repentance will often be determined by the depth of our remembrance of where we have been. Unless we remember, we won't know how far we have fallen. Most of us are crying out for a greater depth of repentance in the Church. We know the level of repentance we now have is not enough to bring revival or awakening. The anointing we had yesterday is not sufficient for the burdens and responsibilities of today. Growth is required, and maturity is mandated in order for us to handle the liberty that flows from it. Without repentance, we simply use our liberty for an occasion for the flesh rather than giving grace and the gospel to those who need it. Repentance, deep repentance, is required.
We then must return and do the first works. These are simple - love God and love your neighbor. Love mercy, embrace the goal of true
justice, and walk humbly with God. It is sweet fellowship with our Redeemer as well as one another. Good works flow from right relationships. We feed the poor, shelter the homeless, and reach out to those who only know a life of bondage. But there can be no real return with remembering and repenting. That is why a small group of believers from Tennessee and Connecticut are coming to Plymouth June 20-22 to lead whoever comes from the body of Christ to do these simple things - remember, repent and return.
Consider whether or not God is leading you to come. Walk where our forefathers walked and hear their stories. Regain a vision you may not have had before. Repent for the sins that have so kept us in bondage for generations. Let us also call on God and His mercy to bring us back to Him, to His righteousness and to simple obedience in love of holiness. Let us return to God - but let us pause, remember and repent that the blessings would flow from it.
-Paul Jehle, Senior Pastor, The New Testament Church
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