Albert Barnes, the notable Bible commentator, once said, "There is nothing necessary to be done in our salvation which He is not qualified to do; there is nothing which we need to enable us to perform our duties, to meet temptation, and to bear trial, which He is not able to impart. In no situation of trouble and danger will the church find that there is a deficiency in Him, in no enterprise to which she can put her hands will there be a lack of power in her great Head, to enable her to accomplish what He calls her to do. We may go to him in all our troubles,weaknesses, temptations, and wants, and may be supplied from His fullness."

Do you believe this? Evidently, many do not.

We are witnessing in our day and time the bastardization of our religion. By definition this is: to lower in quality or character; to debase; to cheapen...in this case, Christianity. It is a prostituting of the church (selling her for unworthy purposes) and as awful as paying someone for sexual pleasures is, likewise are not many today doing the same sort of thing when it comes to church? Do you doubt this? Just look at some of their appeals.

1. Emotional Appeals - Charismatic leaders, cult-like communal atmospheres, come to services for a good feeling, etc. - Why not just pay them to go to church?

2. Sensational Appeals - The so-called miracles, healings, tongue speaking, etc. - Why not just pay them to go to church?

3. Entertainment and Recreational Appeals - Musical presentations, bands, softball teams, bowling leagues, gymnasiums, camps, carnivals, etc. - Why not just pay people to go to church?

4. Social Programs Appeal - Counseling services, rehab clinics, day-care, schools and colleges, nursing homes, soup kitchens, money making seminars, boy scout troops, vegetarian recipe books, political activism, adoption services, hospitals, etc. - Why not just pay them...?

5. Worldly Pride Appeals - Ornate buildings, elaborate services, renown speakers and orators, business investments, etc. - Why not just pay...?

Disclaimer: No, I do not really advocate paying folks to go to a church assembly, but since these other approaches are being used by many today, if they are going to be consistent, why not???? Whatever happened to the simple gospel appeal of the Scriptures?

Do you know what is the real problem? Faith. No faith in God's plan being successful today. No faith in the purpose of the church having an appeal today. No faith in God's word being restrictive in how we do things today. No faith in the next world...so since this one is all there is, rather than saving themselves from this crooked and perverse generation (Acts 2:40), they wish to make it a better place to live in.

Let us not profane the holy, God-given work and mission of the church, by selling it for a cheap and passing pleasure.