NO, I HAVEN’T lost my mind! There is such a word as “pusillanimous.” When I grew up, we called these people “chickens.” The actual definition is, “chicken, coward(ly), gutless, lily livered, spunkless and unmanly.”

     Now, in relation to my subject, i.e., 1 Thessalonians 3:3, “pusillanimous” fits the current churchfolks of today, especially the priesthood!

     1 Thessalonians 3:3—“No man is to be moved by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are appointed unto this.” I like the way the Amplified Bible puts it: “...no one [of you] should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties [to which I have referred]. For you yourselves know that this is [unavoidable in our position, and must be recognized as] our appointed lot.” The Apostle Paul and company were very familiar with “soldiering” for the Lord Jesus. The Thessalonians knew also that they were destined to afflictions, for their teacher, Paul, had told them that Christians must expect such experiences.

     Verse two tells us: “[We] sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith...” Timotheus was sent to this people, not only to establish them in the faith but to comfort them as they went thru their trials and tribulations (see v. 4). Verse 4: “For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.”

   

Tribulation?

OH THAT nasty and fearful word, “TRIBULATION”!—it scares the devil out of most ministers and churchfolks (I wish!). For sure, “Christians” of today avoid any and all things that might bring persecution, affliction and tribulations . . . they’ll even deny Biblical truths to do it. What a sad state of affairs we have today in Churchianity!

     Pusillanimous preachers, teachers, evangelists, blah, blah, blah . . . ALL COWARDS! Fearful of being called “intolerant”, “unloving”, “bigoted”, etc. Some of the “greatest” men/women in Babylon Churchianity will RUN at the mention of standing up to the abortionists, the homosexuals (all sex perverts), the Muslims, . . . even the word SIN has been dropped by them. For God’s sake, we wouldn’t want our precious men/women of valor to have to stand up to devils, would we? God forbid! We wouldn’t want the WORLD to speak ill of Reverend Wonderful and Dazzling Darling, would we? We wouldn’t want these “ministers” to have to contend for the faith of Jesus Christ, would we? Why, they might lose their 501c3 (tax exemption), their offerings and tithes would drop off, their TV/radio fame and fortune might take a tumble. . . . “Oh, no, General Jim, we don’t want our Bible expositors, exegesis experts, pulpit sweethearts to suffer for Christ!”

   

For Your Info.

“NO MAN is to be moved by these afflictions.” The Greek infinitive translated “to be moved” is in the passive voice and means that no one is to allow afflictions to cause him or her to cringe, shrink back, and be perturbed. The phrase “these afflictions” refers to the distressing circumstances, pressures and trials afflicting the believers.

     The Christian believers at Thessalonica “welcomed our (Paul and company’s) message in spite of the much persecution, with joy inspired of the Holy Spirit” (v. 16). Joy in persecutions? That’s what it says. But for the most part, Christian believers RUN from persecution as fast, and as far away, as they possibly can. Therefore, the Church is as a pusillanimous old lady that trembles in fear.

     When was the last time your pastor or evangelist preached against contemporary sins? defended the Bible? stood against perversions, against anti-Christ persons? etc.? Maybe he or she has never done it.

   

2 Thessalonians 1:4

HERE WE have Paul, God’s General in the field, commending this people: ”...for your steadfastness—your unflinching endurance and patience—and your firm faith in the midst of all the persecutions and crushing distresses and afflictions under which you are holding up” (AMP).

   

Back to 1 Thessalonians 3:3

FURTHERMORE, THE word “moved’ in the Greek Bible, meant in older Greek, “to fawn upon, to beguile or deceive.” It was later that this word was associated with words implying violent disturbance. If we are to think of the term here as suggesting deception, then we are to understand that there were those who were seeking to court the favor of the new disciples, and to lead them astray with guile.

     Seems to me that this is what too many Church leaders do to their people: beguile them into believing that today’s Church is to be BIG, PROSPEROUS and DOCILE!...like a sleeping reptile. “Whatever you do, please, please, don’t do anything that will generate persecution...like standing for revealed Bible Truth. Surely we wouldn’t want to embrace the Sword that cuts and the Fire that burns, would we? NEVER! Surely we wouldn’t want to rock the Gospel boat, maybe tip it over? No! No! No! We’ve got to put on a good show so we can go—go along with the world with all its sights, sounds, sickness!”

     The other meaning of “moved” is “to cringe, shrink back; to be strongly shaken or to be troubled.”

   

Bible Deniers

CHURCHES ARE full of cowardly folks who outright deny the Bible. I mean certain truths that condemn sin.

     I like what the Moffatt Bible translation says about 1 Thessalonians 3:4— “Troubles are our lot, you know that well.” Of course, verses 13-16 of chapter 2 point out more on this issue: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”

     Friends, enduring persecutions and sufferings is Christian—I didn’t say “for the pusillanimous churchgoer”; I said “CHRISTIAN”—and it’s inevitable.

   

No Cross?

THERE IS a trend today to make the Church (building) look non-Churchy. This is done for the seeker-friendly crowd. The “Christians” don’t want to “offend” the “seeking sinner” by having a cross. Well, I’m not one for even having a “church building” (Jesus never started churches, anyways!), but if you are going to truly represent Him, the CROSS should be central.

     And don’t hide the Bibles, cowards! Why hide the truth? But this is exactly what some do today. Dear minister, just what are you trying to tell the poor lost sinner anyway? That he or she (or it) can get to Heaven without the cross of Jesus, His Blood? Maybe your silly grin and pat on the back and “God (god?) bless you” will get the sinner into the Kingdom of Heaven? Oh, please, don’t speak of Jesus’ Blood—that might scare the poor devil infested soul! And don’t even tell the sinner they need to put away their sin/sins—that will make them think they are sinners! And WATCH OUT that you don’t use the words “Holy Ghost” or “Holy Spirit”—this might make them think you are in the occult!

     And don’t ever tell the Jew or Muslim that they need Christ—this will certainly OFFEND their religious pride. And be EXTREMELY CAREFUL about ministering to the homosexual/lesbian/transgender/ bisexual—you surely will hurt their feelings if you DARE to tell them that their SIN is an ABOMINATION to God. NO!—just accept them as they are. After all, their perversions are more important than Heaven . . . their butt and mouth sex is really a higher and more holier way than heterosexuals. God forgive us if we should offend these darling sodomites.

     And about those tattooed, pierced, studded, chain-wearing, drug-taking, alcohol-drinking, fornicating, thieving, lying, fighting, cursing punks and rockers—be gentle, dear pastor, be gentle. And let us not be “judgmental” with the adulterers. After all, their “experiences” are spiritual growing pains—don’t spoil their growth in the Lord.

     And lest I forget, don’t ever teach your congregation that “all those who live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”—tear this from your Bible. No doubt this was an interpolation by some zealous scribe (see 2 Tim 3:12; Gal 4:29).

   

True Christianity

THERE IS true or genuine Christianity, and there is religious Churchianity,—the Stinking Rotting Corpse—the latter making up 95 percent of today’s Church. True Christianity never hides the facts about devils and human nature. Churchianity sweeps the dirt under the rug. Genuine Christianity knows nothing of sex, race, color—ALL are welcome into God’s Kingdom, BUT they must pass thru the Sword that CUTS and the Fire that BURNS—leave your sins outside the Kingdom’s door.

     Just because we are surrounded by paganism, doesn’t mean that we become religious pagans, as the modern Church is doing. NO! We are to remain undaunted, bringing the pagan to the foot of the cross, letting the blood of Jesus cleanse the sinner of their sins.

   

What?

TODAY’S LIBERAL backslid Church has literally boycotted God’s standards of conduct in order to be approved by sinful man/woman. I say, “TO HELL WITH SUCH COWARDLINESS!” It is past time to “stand up for Jesus”. It is a GRAVE SIN the Church has committed—ostracizing the Holy Spirit! Big name TV “stars” and pulpit preachers have cast out moral attitudes, ethical standards, the CROSS! But these Godly things are demanded of every disciple of Christ Jesus. We are commanded to DENY OURSELVES, PICK UP THE CROSS and FOLLOW AFTER our Redeemer. Jesus gave His sinless life as a ransom for us (see Matt 20:28).

   

FLEE!!!

THIS IS the Holy Spirit’s advice to all you churchfolks—FLEE out of Religious Babylon.

     Don’t ever believe for one minute that the Holy standards of Christ, the power of His Blood and Word, have lost their power.

     The Blood, Fire, Word and Water have been carried towards their goals when true servants of the Lord have remained undaunted in their suffering. After all, Christ Jesus was wounded for lost humanity; He was bruised for their iniquities. He has made the way for sinners to be cleansed, the blind to see, the wandering prodigals to return. Yet to present Christ as some sort of humane social worker is sheer stupidity.

     Souls are only redeemed when Christ is presented as Redeemer. The “vicarious element” is the center of the genuine Christian ethic, not “religion”.

     You see, “to set others aflame for Christ, the match itself must waste.” The burnt offering of the Lamb of God has already been offered and accepted. Now we must be offered as living sacrifices.

     If we are truly His, there is NO EVADING lost humanity (see 1 John 3:16). Yet Babylon Churchianity has replaced the wooden cross with a China-made plastic one—no pain!, no gain!

     So why is the American Church so unaffected by God’s Truth? Because they have insulated themselves and isolated themselves from Biblical realities—they PLAY Church. This modern mess called “Church” has lost its way and it has no intention of being the suffering servant of humanity. Simply put, “ICHABOD!”

     FLEE out of her, dear people; be not partakers of her plagues. Amen.

[Study material for this article was adapted from its original sources.]

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