The Tyranny of Syncretism

Because of religious hypocrisy and intentional hypocrisy at that, desolation of the Church becomes even more obvious. The less justice, mercy and faith we see, God’s pending judgment is closer. Even in settings that look okay, there has been compromise. Syncretism, the philosophy of blending religious practices from many traditions and yet calling it Christianity or Judaism or Islam when in fact they have lost their distinctive and should no longer call themselves by their original names, was the problem at the church in Thyatira; that troubling church in the Revelation. The church at Thyatira tolerated Jezebel. Oh my! God’s judgment was imminent. It did come and it will come again. My vindication and the Church’s vindication is only in Jesus. I so desire to walk in integrity; to stand on level ground. If my practice of justice, mercy and faith is not rooted in the orthodoxy and orthopraxis of the gospel; of Jesus; then I am in trouble. God alone is my dwelling place and fortress. Throughout my life span, toil and trouble persist, but God is always faithful in the midst of my unfaithfulness. Only in Christ do I fare well in the toil and trouble. Outside of him, it truly is a mess. Come Lord Jesus in just, merciful and faithful ways.