Perhaps you don't bow before a relic or kneel before an emblem of a Cross like Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Or perhaps you don't find religious serenity in a stately building of aesthetic appeal.
Sean Michael Morris·Feb 3, 2024·Updated Sep 3, 2026
Empty Protestant Evangelicalism?
"...I may know all the Doctrines in the Bible, but unless I know Christ, there is not one of them that can save me!"— C.H. Spurgeon
"...there is a world of difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word."— Leonard Ravenhill
The historical exploits of Christ at the Cross in Death or at the Resurrection in newness of Life cannot be impersonal and impractical to you as an individual. For, the Crucifixion, Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Christ are not promoted in Scripture as mere historical facts to fondly remember, nor should they be memorialized by golden emblems of jewelry or divers sorts of decoration, neither should anyone craft or paint conceptualized images of these events to dote upon All this only invigorates the problem. Given the opportunity, the human heart will be inspired to pretentiously respond to Christ in religious fervor through dead ritualism Even from an intellectual perspective this is a problem For, you may not be prone to commit such sins physically and exteriorly, but you can still act in the same hollow and idolatrous way intellectually, meditatively, and sacramentally.
“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of M e. And ye will not come to M e, that ye might have life.”
- John 5:39-40 [Jer. 8:7-9]
All that matters is if you are truly communing with the Spirit of God in your religious devotions Perhaps you don't bow before a relic or kneel before an emblem of a Cross like Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Or perhaps you don't find religious serenity in a stately building of aesthetic appeal. Nevertheless, you can ritualistically practice the values and devotions of hollow and empty protestant evangelicalism just like these people do in Catholicism You can be completely void of the Spirit and acquiesce in a greater sense of "holiness" simply because you religiously read the Bible, all the while you don't truly have communion with God through the Bible Charles Spurgeon and Leonard Ravenhill spoke on this issue to warn the graceless parishioners of their day, saying, "...I may know all the Doctrines in the Bible, but unless I know Christ, there is not one of them that can save me!" (Spurgeon), and "...there is a world of difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word." (Ravenhill).
Even so, my reader, you can study the teachings of the Puritans with great admiration for their passion and wisdom, even while you stand outside the Temple of God (i.e. the Body of Christ) as one ritualistically looking at things you haven't personally experienced. This is the shocking reality for the vast majority of students who study Church History.
“Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The Temple of the LORD, The Temple of the LORD, The Temple of the LORD, are these.”
— Jeremiah 7:4
Meditatively and intellectually you can act in the same hollow and ritualistic way as the Catholics do in their choice of genre in"worship". As Neo-Calvinists, you can submissively admire the Puritans and Reformers just like the Catholics do"the Saints", the Popes, and Church Tradition; and, if this is the case, you will rashly and harshly anathematize anyone who would dare to question the puritanical interpretation of things. This is oppression. Redeemed men are hereby reduced into a state of false humility wherein the ministry of the Holy Spirit is regularly quenched and despised.
Herein, there is a growing sense that we cannot understand the Bible without being immersed in the Doctrines of the Reformation. Albeit, this is a deviation from the fundamental convictions that empowered the Reformers to withstand the ecclesiastical rulers of their day, crying, “Sola Scriptura!”. Even so, my reader, you can submit to the ecclesiastical leaders of the modern Church and zealously promote the ministries of celebrity preachers, even though you aren't truly celebrating Christ or benefiting the Body of Christ.
Sola Scriptura?
Sola Scriptura would fasten the eyes of earnest disciples upon “the Apostles' Doctrine” For, the apostles didn't speak about the Crucifixion, Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Christ as an impersonal thing of the past. They didn't treat these exploits of Christ as intellectual subjects of history limited to time and strictly personal to Christ. Rather, by faith, and herein through the quickening power of the Holy Spirit, these exploits of Christ are personalized to each and every believer. These exploits were accomplished completely and perfectly in the past, but we experience the transcending power of these acts at present as true believers. Christ accomplished redemption. Period. All of our hope resides in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. Period. Notwithstanding, that's exactly why our reception of redemption does mystically and personally enjoin us to Christ's Person and Work.
Do You Believe in the Crucifixion, Death, & Burial of Jesus Christ?
A true believer in the Crucifixion & Death of Christ of old is vitally joined to this work personally insomuch that he is"crucified with Christ"at present The evidence of true faith in the Cross of Christ is a personal crucifixion. When Paul spoke of "the Crossof our Lord Jesus Christ", he was boasting in a personal experience of freedom wrought out in his own life, in declaring, “...by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” Therefore, no one should suppose they are truly glorifying God for the work of Christ at the Cross of Calvary ("But God forbid that I should glory..." - ) without personally undergoing the Baptism of Death that Jesus experienced in dying for our sins and rising again for our justification. Do you suppose that you glorify God for the Death of Christ? You must be “baptized into His Death” You must be “planted together in the likeness of His Death” Do you believe Christ died for Sinners? You must be “dead with Christ” in order to be saved from your sins Do you suppose you glorify God for the Burial of Christ? You must be “buried with Him by baptism into Death”
Do You Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Do you suppose you glorify God for the Resurrection of Christ? The same question applies in every phase of the Gospel. For, by virtue of being vitally joined to the Crucifixion, Death, & Burial of Christ, one is also joined to Christ in His Resurrection. This is plain and pure Apostolic Doctrine described in “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His Death, we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection” If you are truly “dead with Christ” then you will also “live with Him” in the power of His Resurrection to personally taste and see the victory of Jesus over death and hell ( Php. 3:10, ). This is what Paul calls, “Newness of Life” This is the only means that mankind can be “freed from sin” To be vitally joined to the Life that Jesus “liveth unto God” is the only means of practical, personal, and actual redemption from the penalty and power of sin In other words, this is a personal resurrection.
Accordingly, this operation of redemption is a spiritual baptism a successful putting off of the Old Man and a putting on of the New Man that is created in righteousness and true holiness A real quickening of the soul takes place by the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ! Therefore, the man who was dead to God and alive in sin is made to die to sin and live unto God. Herein, the eyes of lost sinners are at once allowed to spiritually behold the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ and suddenly all of what Christ has done becomes personal, powerful, and life changing Suddenly, and instantly, the lost man is regenerated.
Looking to Jesus Christ in Real Time
However, in truly seeing - and therein being converted through beholding the glory of the Crucifixion, Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Jesus Christ - newborn disciples must learn the importance of “looking unto Jesus” presently and progressively so as to experience the"grace"of this redemption steadfastly and without intermission If one is positionally sanctified in Christ through conversion, one must “work out” this sanctification by walking in Christ (Php. 2:12-16); and, this walking in Christ is a present-progressive experience of self-mortification through the power of the Cross a present-progressive experience of spiritual & positional newness through the power of the Resurrection ( Php. 3:20, ); a present-progressive filling of the Spirit that appropriates the power of the Gospel in real time to put off the Old Man and put on the New Man
This is the Normal Christian Life according to the Bible This experience is the promise and appropriation of what Christ has accomplished in the Gospel. This is what Christ is accomplishing at present in true believers through the freeness of God's grace being showered upon us abundantly at the cost of the atonement finished at the Cross In other words, this is a constant experience of personal Revival. However, sadly, many people don't experience this because they have been deceived to think that Revival is an optional and superior form of spirituality that isn't required of all true Christians. Nevertheless, I must tell you: This is Salvation.
Salvation in the Past, Present, & Future
Christians have been saved, are being saved, and will be saved. Herein, salvation is past, present, and future. Christians have been saved through conversion to Christ are being saved through sanctification in Christ (Php. 2:12, Php. 1:19, ), and will be saved by persevering in faith until death or the coming of the Kingdom of God in the 2nd Advent of Christ
In this sense, the Gospel is past, present, and future. For, the work of Christ in the A tonement was finished at Calvary but our faith in the A tonement making possible conversion, sanctification, and ultimate glorification in the coming of the Kingdom of God is still unfinished Therefore, as believers, our hope is to persever ein salvation until the time when Christ will say, “It is done” by walking with God right now by faith because, Christ said, “It is finished” ( Php. 3:12-21, ). The plot of redemption that takes place between these two points in time has everything to do with our personal salvation in Christ according to the Gospel.
The Narrow Way
Personally losing sight of the Gospel in all of its phases of glory has a blinding effect upon the soul In hopes that believers of the 1st Century would avoid the peril of this blindness, Peter said, “make your calling and election sure” For, all such revival-less persons are in serious danger. Through this deviation they have veered off the Narrow Way Entering the Gate through conversion to Christ isn't enough; one must then keep the faith by walking the Narrow Way In other words, one must keep faith in Jesus Christ, because He is “the Way” Literally. Our only hope is in Jesus Christ both now and forever
“Looking unto Jesus the A uthor and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God … Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;”
- Hebrews 12:2, 15 [Deut. 29:18]
The Narrow Way is the experience of present-progressive salvation as described in the terms formerly outlined according to Apostolic Doctrine in the New Testament. This is not an affront to the power and sufficiency of salvation in Christ; for, only a lack of abiding in or looking to Christ can cause precious souls to swerve off the Narrow Way to their own damnation. Upon conversion to Christ the newborn believer is perfectly saved and blameless before God in the beauties of holiness through the spotless robes of Christ's righteousness. For, in Christ, the newly saved man is perfectblamelesssanctified and spotless Jesus Christ is a refuge for us I fredeemed men refuse to abide in Christ, only then could their perfection be compromised. Scripture is rife with terms that identify such men in this condition, calling them blamable, blemished, unholy, and the like because of a loss of faith in the Gospel through the presence of evil unbelief in their souls (-4:11).
The Judgment Seat of Christ
Such men are not ready to stand before God on Judgment Day In this inglorious condition they are simply wretched and unpresentable to God They are rendered unworthy for their defiance of the Gospel. Jesus Christ died for “a glorious Church” and this isn't it A fallen Church is a filthy Bride! God’s grace is sufficient for holiness, purity, power, and glory but revival -less persons do squander these riches for worldly lusts! Fearfully, this is what it means to be “fallenfrom grace” In dread terror of this the apostle Paul warned the believers at Corinth, saying, “take heed lest ye fall” Legally and in many ways spiritually this is a condition of spiritual death This is when a justified, regenerated, and righteous man is turned into an unjustified, wicked, sinner again (not to be confused with reprobation).
To be personally revived from this fallen condition would literally and spiritually mean that the individual is wrought upon by grace “to live again”. That's simply what the word revival means. To deny such things is to embrace an outlook of undue optimism and high - mindedness concerning one's own personal pilgrimage on the Narrow Way This is a blatant denial of the teachings of Jesus concerning the two mutually exclusive fates of all the Branches that are connected to the Vine of Salvation We are warned not to be so fearless before the superior greatness of Jesus Christ, the one and only Prophet like unto Moses
A Sick Church in a Dying World
The Church is the Kingdom of God in all ages and Covenants. The Church is the Body of Christ. Therefore, there are implications to its poor and miserable estate Lamenting of this, Ravenhill said, "There is no greater tragedy than a sick Church in a dying world!". Would you agree? We can be sure that the Lord isn't coming back for a poor, ragged, and unbeautified Bride Nevertheless, the End of the World is coming quickly. As a witness against the Church, the spiritual climate of darkness is prevailing upon this generation. The Church is at a loss and without prevailing prayer. She is adulterously entertained by the world and thereby robbed of true joy. The virgins of God are sleeping Therefore, following the pattern exemplified in Paul among the Churches of the 1st Century those who are truly burdened for the Church are bound to be persecuted by it in times of backsliding. This kind of persecution is inevitable today when the very meaning of Revival has been altered to allow for fearless backsliders to continue on the path of destruction.
False doctrines as these allow for a culture of contagious hypocrisy to flourish in the Church Ere long true sincerity becomes an illusive figment of imaginary ideals while sarcastic voices stand by and scorn the existence of biblical testimony The most learned among men dim lights to set the mood in the Church, until earnest inquirers of biblical testimony become cynical instead of sincere with conviction. What more can be said but... “Ichabod” The Glory of God has departed from the Church. This is the ultimate goal of the Father of Lies as he works to steal the hearts of true Christians ( -7:1). For, a loss of the heart in this way among true Christians isn't just the compromise of mere individuals worst case scenario, the spiritual essence of true Christianity is lost corporately among believers. The heavenly Candlestick that legitimizes a local Church is removed from the earth and a ll that's left is darkness.
Earnestly Contend for the Faith
Ultimately, this is a failure to emphasize “the Christ” of Christianity in how the spirituality of true communion with God is mutually experienced by all believers. In other words, this is a promotion of “Christ-less Christianity” - a shocking offence that profanes the purity and power of true religion. Likewise, this is a failure to emphasize “the Cros s” of Christianity. The cross-less “Christians” of today are having their ears tickled with the idea that Revival is uncommon and extraordinary when in reality Revival is obedience This is the promotion of “Cross-less Christianity” - a shocking offence that allows the Church to flirtatiously enjoy the world while the backsliders feel justified in a lifestyle void of Revival This is a painless, powerless, and prayerless “Christianity” that is popular with the world Like a wolf in sheep's clothing this “Christianity” is damning souls and populating hell. Fearfully,"The fastest way to hell is down the center isle of the average Church."(Leonard Ravenhill). Therefore, we should labor to resurrect the biblical standard of true Christianity instead of aimlessly waiting for a brief season of"Revival"that comes and goes, and doesn't come back for another 50 years.
True worshipers must stand up and stand out, even if they are cast outLove will always clash with hate The glorious reality of heavenly vision must return to the Church Only a militantly focused missionary Church is a Bride prepared for Marriage The silent toleration of a modern day spiritual holocaust simply cannot continue Those who are right with God must not be marginalized and silenced Lukewarmness must not be allowed to preach any longer The cold and murderous indifference of lukewarmness must be seen for what it is in truth. For, humble watchfulness unto God has been replaced by high-minded preachers who are uncharitable, tribalistic, and pharisaical in the name of theological They rule by their means and the people love to have it so
Many true believers seek to hold out and stand strong against the growing influx of apostasy in the Church and over time they become discouraged. Loneliness and sorrow increase as the violators of biblical truth are promoted among the ranks of Christendom. The temptation can be to calm the fire and sheath the sword of salvific truth. Sorry attempts will be made to get along with backsliders who feel at home in this world. A pervading sense of disbelief and failure can break the heart and nearly extinguish the lamp of one's first love To all such hurting persons, I plead: consider Job Cast yourself wholly upon the written word of God even while the multitudes of every divergent sector of Christianity does turn aside.
My plea is for the contrite ones who have been compromised and overcome by the likes of those who are settled in and happy in this world remember that Jesus Christ is your exalted Savior. God will yet again give you the eye-opening experience that you need to keep the faith in the beauties of holiness until the very end. There remains good hope through grace for the remnant of the Last Days.
The LORD will renew and empower all those who sigh and cry for all the abominations of the Church Recommit yourself to the LORD without hesitation or reserve as you once did and the LORD will renew your consecration to God. Call upon God as you remarry yourself to the glory of God and then waste your life for eternity until death. Renew your friendship with God and climb out of the slew of your despondency. The plans of sovereign mercy are yet to unfold before the eyes of this generation to the shock and astonishment of all mankind.
Divine benevolence is pleased to make happy sinners sadder with time (Jer. 2:19,2 Cor. 7:8-10). Solomon as a backslider is no exception. Hence, the outburst: “Vanity of vanities…all is vanity.” (Eccl. 1:2)!
He asked his wife to give him a glass of water for he would obtain none where he was going. He drank it; then, looking his wife in the face, exclaimed,"O Martha, Martha, you have sealed my everlasting damnation!"
"I want nothing but hell! Come, O devil, and take me!' At another time he said, 'Oh, what a terrible thing it is! Once I might, and would not: now I would and must not."
Job is popular today, and referenced often by peace preachers, because it seems that people have never been more depressed than in modern times. Of course, they misinterpret Job!
In writing, he endeavored to establish before all certain biblical rules on how to discern if a work of revival in any location is of the Devil or from the Holy Spirit of God (Jn. 16:8-11).
Nevertheless, such fame comes with a cost in wicked and adulterous generations (Mk. 8:38). The temptation is strong for preachers to diminish the intensity of what is written, or even apologize for what is demanded,
