Ears Tickled

I just finished reading Heavenly Man for the second time. It is the book about the life of Brother Yun from China. I have been impacted greatly again. When I read his testimony it exposes the shallowness of Western Christianity. He says, "Multitudes of church members in the West are satisfied with giving their minimum to God, not their maximum." And, "I've seen people in the Western churches worshipping as if they're already in heaven. Then someone invariably brings a comforting message like, "My children, I love you. Don't be afraid, I'm with you." I'm not opposed to such words, but why is it that nobody seems to hear a Word from the Lord like, "My child, I want to send you to the slums of Asia or the darkness of Africa to be my messenger to people dying in their sin?" Why indeed?!?!

II Timothy 4:3 says, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." My Christian life has been spent, generally, among people who have a fervent desire to serve the Lord. People who generally look at the above verse and see how it applies to the "status quo" church world, but would never apply to us who are filled with the Spirit, lovers of Jesus. But if it doesn't apply to us, why is it that we aren't hearing a call to give up everything for the sake of the gospel and take good news to the Muslims in the Middle East or lay your life on the line for Jesus in the slums of Africa or Asia? Is it because we love our lives too much? Are we like the rich young ruler who heard a similar message from Jesus and went away sad because that required him to give up that which had become precious to him?

I never thought when I gave my life to Jesus that the "ears tickled" crowd would have anything to do with me. The cross is a message of death to the flesh and it's desires. We seem to be placating the flesh in this generation. One last statement from Brother Yun that at least should make us ponder our consecration to this Royal King that we serve. At a conference, "The main speaker was a well-known American preacher. Every time he spoke it was about the love and goodness of God. During the prayer time everyone fell down on the floor and laughed. After I spoke I commanded people to kneel down at the foot of the cross of Jesus, and they wept! Tears always come first before the Lord truly moves. He will never pour out His blessing on unsanctified flesh."

We have run into a problem in these days as to how to explain to someone how they can have everything just the way they want it AND follow Jesus at the same time. It can't happen. I believe the present government in the U.S. is in place to awaken the church. The church in China doesn't sleep. It can't!!

Maybe Yun's assessment of the western church is extreme, but a man who spent over 7 years of the first 20 years of his marriage in prison for the gospel has earned at least a right to be heard on this matter. He has seen and endured extraordinary suffering and amazing miracles. He has embraced his sufferings for Christ as gifts of love to purify his heart from evil and selfish intentions. Paul did the same, and concluded when I am weak then I am strong, for His power is perfected in weakness. Who will go for the Lord? Who will stand without compromise even if it costs your job, reputation, etc. Pray for me that I would, and that I have not become so attached to this world that I can't let go. Maybe you want that too!