True preaching contends with the world. There is no easy way around it. It is a difficult thing to contend with the world. That is why Jesus said that the way is narrow. It is a narrow path which many forsake since they have been taught that being in God's favor means that they are guaranteed paradise on earth. They are also led to believe that any form of hardship (financial struggle, sickness, or calamity) is always a sign of God's punishment instead of his refinement.
Today's man-made formulas have reduced God to a strange idol similar to an omnipotent Santa Claus who must always answer us according to our own desires. These man-made formulas reject the notion that God would ever be angry with sin or with the sinner. They are worshiping an idol which resembles nothing more than a waiter in a restaurant who must answer at their beck and call.
If we look at rebellious Israel, we can see that the people of that time were guilty of the same thing. They wanted all the material blessings, prosperity, and comfort, but none of the sufferings that come with it. They believed that God's favor meant that they were exempt from any kind of hardship.
They looked at 'worldly comfort' and their material things as an affirmation of God's favor. They were given over to pleasure instead of God's holiness. Their careless conduct showed that they were still enslaved by their flesh.
"Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wind and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people" (Micah 2:10, 11).
God's sovereignty, repentance, and judgment are not being taught. The visible church is so much like the world that it is hard to know the difference. It is clear that there are more hirelings rising to the top, while the true shepherds are being shunned and even rejected.
Man-centered formulas are leading many astray since few are willing to contend for what is biblically sound. Biblical exhortation and reproof are becoming taboo, just as Jesus said it would be during the last days.
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:3-5).
