As the condition of the world and sadly, the church deteriorates, it is vitally important to know Who, we as believers are to serve. The Lord gives us some strong warnings in His Word. I pray the Spirit of the Lord will give you revelation that will encourage you to be strong and steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Eric

“We as Christians, should live for God and be transforming our minds to recognize and do what He desires every day. We cannot be conformed to this world, but rather show the attitude and character God desires within us. No one should compromise a walk with God to imitate the world for anyone or anything. Reflect God and the image He desires for each of us to display.” (enduringwordministries,org, Caleb Andrews).

Sung Neng Yee, better known to us as Nora Lam, was a Chinese evangelist. She fled Shanghai due to communist persecution in 1958. Nora was 23 years old and pregnant when questioned by a Communist Chinese official. In answer to his question, she declared she was a Christian. The official “exploded” shouting, “Take her out and shoot her. That’s an order!” She was blindfolded and placed in front of a firing squad.

If you are a Christian and know the officials questioning you would likely kill you, if you refused to compromise your declaration of faith - would you choose to compromise? Would you choose, to walk away from your tenets of faith because you felt the cost was too great?

Sad to say that even without that threat, many in the USA and other Western nations have slipped into apostasy from their former foundation of faith.

The foundation of Christianity in many countries that has existed for hundreds of years is quickly crumbling. We see it in France, Germany, Canada, England, Austria, and the United States, to mention a few.

Many in our so called ‘modern’ society have let the idols of self and self indulgence rule.

Apostasy comes from a Greek word meaning: defection or revolt. (oed.com). Merriman-Webster defines it as an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith, or abandonment of a previous loyalty.

Nora Lam faced the firing squad - and when given a chance to speak her last words for her husband - recited the 23rd Psalm. The wind howled, a freak storm crashed downward and when the command “Fire!” was given, the soldiers saw a blinding light and unseen forces pushed the guns skyward! She survived the firing squad and was let go! (my charisma.comNoraLam:Christ’sAmbassadortoChina).

Let’s look further at the definition of ‘apostasy’. In vocabulary.com it adds: rejecting your religious beliefs in favor of opposing beliefs.

Today, around the world, our governments, educational systems, business entities, entertainment industries, and some denominational churches have fallen to the lies of the enemy, satan, and his demon army.

These ‘modern’ nations have rejected God for serving themselves and the god of this world.

Whatever the ‘reason,’ when you walk away from faith, from God, and reject His desires, you have slipped into apostasy and that is a very dangerous place to be.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, Galatians 5:19b -21 (NLT) instructs us, “the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” The truth presented here reveals that those who live like this will “not” inherit the Kingdom of God. These are not my words, but the Words of the Spirit of God!

Alarmingly, we also have those who call themselves “progressive.” They promote murder (abortion and euthanasia (of the elderly and infirm), gender choice, homosexuality, transgenderism, and many other perverse life styles.

“Progressives are not just a group of Christians who are changing their minds on social issues and politics … they often deny core essential doctrines of faith, which leads them to preach an entirely different gospel. This matters because, if we give ourselves permission to deny or ignore the Scriptures that don’t fit into our preconceived ideas about who God is and how He acts in the world, we will have effectively transferred the authority from the Bible to our own thoughts, feelings, and preferences.” “Progressive leader Richard Rohr encourages Christians to ignore, deny, and openly oppose Scripture that (according to him) are “imperialistic, punitive, exclusionary or tribal.” (impact 360 institute, How to Recognize Progressive Christianity Through Theology, Progressive Christianity Part 3 By Alisa Childers).

We as believers, are living in a time in which we must choose to stand strong or be drawn into falling away, defection from the truth, or apostasy, by compromising. Compromising a little will very easily open an avenue for you to turn completely.

Kathryn Kuhlman, recognized as one of the greatest faith healers of all time, when speaking to students at Oral Roberts University in 1972 stated, “He will not accept a compromise! He will not take 2nd place!” (youtube video, Knowing the Holy Spirit at ORU posted in 2019).

The Scripture, given by the unction of the Holy Spirit, has given us examples of men who when facing similar situations, stayed strong in their faith and conviction until the end.

Hebrews 10:36-39 (NIV) reveals, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For, "In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay." 38 And, "But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." 39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.”

Josiah, who became King of Judah at the age of eight did not follow the example given by His father or grandfather, who had led their nation into deep idol worship of the worst kind. He chose to follow Jehovah! You can read this account in 2 Kings, chapters 22 and 23 and in 2 Chronicles, chapters 33 and 35).

Noah remained faithful to God, even when the rest of the inhabitants of the earth became so evil, God determined to destroy them. Genesis 6:5-8 (NIV), “The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created--and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground--for I regret that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.”

God has given us many other examples.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace rather than compromise what God required of them! (Daniel 3:12,17,18 and 28).

We read Daniel’s story of being thrown into the lion’s den rather than bow to a false idol. Daniel 6: 7,10, 21, and 23).

We see the apostles being brought before the Sanhedrin for continuing to teach in the name of Jesus after a strict warning to stop. Peter’s response: “We must obey God rather than human beings.” (Acts 5:29).

Persecution will come. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV), “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” However, Scripture states unequivocally that we are to worship and serve God alone.

Pray that He will give you the heart of these great examples we have seen. Be ready to be obedient to his Word and proclaim, “My God is able to deliver me!”

We are to put Him first in every area of our life (Mark 12:30).

Jesus commanded that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).

We must deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24).

We are to take up our cross and follow Him. (Luke 14:22).

Praise God, His Word is our foundation and discerner of all truth (John 8:31 and 32 (NKJV). Realize this, if we have friendship with the world, we are enemies of God. (James 4:4).

There is a cost in being a sold—out believer. You must determine if you will stand firm in your decision to worship, serve, and obey God, no matter what. The cost of us to be sold out to Him is small compared to the cost we pay for rejecting Him. The worst we might face in being sold out to him would be our death and as a believer, we would enter into His very presence!, The cost of rejecting Him is an eternity, forever separated from Him, from the One Who is light and love.

The Holy Spirit will empower and enable you to accomplish His purposes and plan for you ! He will strengthen and enable you to be successful in doing what is right in His eyes and He will help you stay the course with Him and not turn to the right or the left!

2 Peter 1:3 and 4 (CSB), “His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.”

Stand strong!

Do not compromise!

You can escape the corruption that is in the world!

NLT New Living Translation

NIV New International Version

NKJV New King James Version

CSB Christain Standard