For the past many years, the church has been almost a mirror of the world. Wilfull, blatant sin abounds almost as much within the church as outside of it: things like adultery, drunkenness, abuse, profanity, outbursts of temper, divorce, pornography, immodest dress, worldly attitudes and values.

Why is the church experiencing such an epidemic of blatant sin? Because for more than a generation, we have been unwilling to preach about sin and holiness. It is sad but true that in so many of our churches today were trying so hard to be "relevant" and "seeker- friendly" that we have by and large abandoned preaching about sin and Holiness.

The church is so afraid of offending anyone that sound doctrine is not being preached from the pulpits of America today. We are unwilling to confront sin, publicly or privately, in ourselves or in others. Instead, we are adopting a doctrine of religious tolerance, and tolerance has triumphed over truth.

The church has long been waiting for the world to get right with God. When will we realize that the world is waiting for the church to get right with God? Repentance needs to begin within the church! It is time for us to become what God intended all along: "Be ye holy, for I am holy."

In Ancient Israel, when God sent Ezekiel to pronounce judgment upon them because of their great wickedness and rebellion, God told Ezekiel "Begin in My sanctuary" (Ex. 9:6) Judgment always begins with the people of God, those calling themselves His children, then and now.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)