I posted this before...but it is so good I had to post again!
The church is merrily proceeding like most of America is repentant, and just needs to understand the grace of God. Maybe at one time, but not any more. Like most of Europe (where Luther sparked the Reformation, where Spurgeon and Whitefield preached, where Calvin preached), she is gospel (grace) hardened, and needs to understand her sin in the light of a Holy God.
It is the Law of God that breaks the hard heart and prepares it for the grace and love of God in Christ Jesus....
1Timothy 1:8-11 ESV - Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, (9) understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, (10) the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, (11) in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
Rom 7:12-13 ESV So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (13) Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Once the Law has done its holy work of preparing the heart and producing contrition (with our conscience bearing witness, Rom 2:15), receiving the love and grace of God in Christ becomes the most important thing in the world because of the wrath to come!
1Th 1:10 ESV and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Rom 2:5-8 ESV But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. (6) He will render to each one according to his works: (7) to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; (8) but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.
2Co 5:10-11 ESV For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (11) Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
Oh how great is the love of God!
Eph 2:4-9 ESV But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, (5) even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- (6) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, (9) not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Download and read this free e-book by Ray Comfort: God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life. It is SO worth the read!
Soli Deo Gloria!