We were saying in the previous article that many American Christians will not turn away from the current lethargy until they become persuaded that their actions will significantly affect their destiny in the Kingdom of God.

When the call for repentance goes forth, a few conscientious believers will respond. If these few people will pray, God in His goodness will visit us with a massive move of the Spirit of God resulting in more repentance and worldwide evangelism. But then, when the Spirit of God is lifted, there will be a return to the lethargy. The present doctrine of the churches is not calculated to maintain white-hot consecration.

There was tremendous repentance during the revivals of Aimee Semple McPherson but now lethargy has returned. When the power of the Holy Spirit was present with Sister McPherson sinners, came to the Lord; the lukewarm became hot; the sick were healed. That was only a few years ago.

Why the rapid backsliding? It is because we are teaching that Divine grace is an unconditional amnesty that holds steady whether or not we serve the Lord.

Until the Christian churches come to understand that Divine grace is not an unconditional amnesty the cycle of repentance, revival, lethargy will continue.

There are numerous verses in the New Testament portraying Divine grace as virtue, power, and wisdom that enable the diligent to serve God and be conformed to the image of Christ. When we are not diligent, we suffer significant loss.

Several reasons are advanced by contemporary Christian teachers to prove that the unfruitful will not actually be removed from the Vine; that the sinning Christian will not actually be barred from entering the Kingdom of God.

All such reasons sound a lot like that which was spoken to Eve in the garden of Eden, "You shall not surely die!"

As long as Christian believers are taught there is a safety net under them that will keep them from serious harm in case they sin and rebel against God, numerous believers will not get serious with the Lord.

Divorce is a major problem of our day. In our following comments we are not addressing those who were divorced before they became a Christian. To such we say, the blood of Christ has washed you clean. Go on from here and sin no more. You may suffer consequences but the Lord has forgiven you.

Having made this part clear, let us proceed.

To be continued.