“There will be imposters falsely claiming to be God’s ‘Anointed One.’ And false prophets will arise to perform miracle signs, and if it were possible, they would cause God’s chosen ones to wander off the right track.” (Mark 13:22 TPT)
Church membership has been steadily declining in the United States over the past few decades. The pandemic has further precipitated changes in routines. The habit of weekly worship with a group of like-minded people does not seem essential anymore. Moreover, the word ‘Christian’ no longer represents a follower of Christ’s teachings or one who aspires to Christ-like behavior. In a recent survey, the characteristics most associated with Christians were: hateful, judgmental, and hypocritical.
It breaks my heart to see my Lord being misrepresented.
Jesus warned that there will be imposter pastors and misleading leaders. Unfortunately, there are congregations who continue to follow charismatic celebrities who claim to be God’s ‘Anointed One.’ But their numbers are dwindling.
Traditions, habits, and social groups are difficult to relinquish. Even so, there are many who no longer want to be associated with what they see as hypocrisy in organized religion. Their withdrawal arises from conviction, not convenience. They cannot ignore the incongruence between the militant mis-leaders and Christ. Thus, they are leaving churches so that they may follow Christ.
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