In Zechariah 7 we find the Lord stripping away the face paint of religion and forcing His children to look deeply at their attitudes and motives, and not their religious actions and practices. Here He says to them, and to us:
“When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me— for Me?” (Zech. 7:5-6).
His words cut deep because they are convicting and they are true. They also reveal how far we, as the church of today, have fallen from the standard set by the Acts church, the template, the prototype of how church should be. Consider the difference between life in the book of Acts and the life of the church today.
Then, they were focused on power. Now, we are focused on correct doctrine and seminary degrees.
Then, the abundant life. Now, cutting edge entertainment.
Then, sacrifice and commitment. Now, potluck suppers and youth trips to Disneyworld.
Then, confrontation. Now, tolerance.
Then, boldness. Now, we just want to fit in.
Then, holiness. Now, compromise.
Then, one accord, unity. Now, fragmentation and denominationalism.
Then, baptized and full of the Holy Spirit. Now, we debate those very terms.
There has to be something more to the Christian life than what we are experiencing.
Oh, there’s more. Much more. Keep listening to find out what is missing.
The following is a study on Zechariah 7:1-14.
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