Are we lovers or prostitutes?
Posted by appolus on September 14, 2011
The Question That Changed My Life, by David Ryser
A number of years ago, I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry. My students were hungry for God, and I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to fall more in love with Jesus and to become voices for revival in the Church. I came across a quote attributed most often to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this:
Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old–barely out of diapers–and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, “An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question, “A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?” I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued, “But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?”
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, “Wow, I wish I’d thought of that.” I didn’t dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha’s question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. “When a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” There is only one answer to her question. The answer is “Yes.” The American Church, tragically, is heavily populated by people who do not love God. How can we love Him? We don’t even know Him; and I mean really know Him.
… I stand by my statement that most American Christians do not know God–much less love Him. The root of this condition originates in how we came to God. Most of us came to Him because of what we were told He would do for us. We were promised that He would bless us in life and take us to heaven after death. We married Him for His money, and we don’t care if He lives or dies as long as we can get His stuff. We have made the Kingdom of God into a business, merchandising His anointing. This should not be. We are commanded to love God, and are called to be the Bride of Christ–that’s pretty intimate stuff. We are supposed to be His lovers. How can we love someone we don’t even know? And even if we do know someone, is that a guarantee that we truly love them? Are we lovers or prostitutes?
A Call To The Remnant 
Cindy Skillman said
Wow!~just wow. No one could say it better than that.
appolus said
Hey Cindy, very simple, very profound! …………………brother Frank
Are We Lovers or Prostitutes? | Journey Into The Son said
[…] to Rev. Sam Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like this: read more This entry was posted in prophecy. Bookmark the permalink. ← On […]
Cecilie said
almost speechless here, WOW is only thing I thought at first too… then a deepened cry; God, may my life bring glory to you in all I am and do.
Thank you so much for sharing this brother Frank, for true followers of Christ this will make a huge impact. It will draw us closer to God at the same time as it challenges us to live more surrendered, more separated from this world. God bless you precious one.
appolus said
“then a deepened cry; God, may my life bring glory to you in all I am and do.”
Amen sister, may all of Christendom have a deep cry in their hearts……….brother Frank
Cecilie said
Cecilie reblogged this from med Gud i hverdagen and commented:
Første jeg tenkte da jeg leste dette var WOW! Egentlig er det ikke ord til å beskrive hva …
Les mer
kaleymayer said
Amen… what a sad state of affairs. We don’t need to wonder who the Great Prostitute is any more… We know who sold herself instead of loving her husband, Christ.
appolus said
“We know who sold herself instead of loving her husband, Christ.’
Makes me think of Hosea and his wife. As a husband myself I can only imagine the shattering pain of infedelity, and to have a wife who has prostitued herself, well one can only imiagine. We know that Hosea’s wife ends up in the slave market, used up, emaciated and naked. Here comes Hosea, the crowd in the market hush, surely he has come to kill his wife. For he, a mighty prophet, so shamed in the yes of the world, who would blame him? And then? He pays for a covering, covers her nakedness and takes her home. Oh Lord, please forgive us, for we have wandered so far from you and played the harlot, I can only imgagine the pain in your heart………..brother Frank
ananda said
Amen! I had a dream last night about this! Confusing then I saw this post! You know I love God so much and when you look at the ‘business’ principles that is expected of one to be a good Christian, you fall short by ample lengths to just love Him!
We have thrown out all ‘business’ principles and fell back to the ‘Ancient Ways’ as referred to in Jeremia, just walking with the Father in the evening breeze the way He walked with Adam! O thank you for this post! Bless you brother!
appolus said
“just walking with the Father in the evening breeze the way He walked with Adam!”
Amen Ananda. and just like Enoch. Although the word tells us not to forsake gathering together and all the more as we see that time approaching. I believe we will see more and more gatherings of Gods remnant, a people simply hungry and thirsty for His presence…….brother Frank
Mark said
If you gather with the whore,no supprise that you behave like a prostitute
appolus said
The Word does say ” come out of her my people.” ……….brother Frank
Kat Huff said
Most often, the obvious Truth needs very few words to reveal it.
appolus said
Amen Kat, simple and profound……….brother Frank
Rachel said
Powerful … There are two churches … the true body and the church system that this article talks about – the contrast of the two is growing more and more apparent to me and I pray to many.
Rachel
appolus said
Agreed Rachel. I wrote a piece a couple of years ago called ” The Saul spirit is rising.” Its really the story of two kings, one legitimate in the eyes of the world, and one legitimate in the eyes of God. …………..brother Frank
Hugo Prado said
Amazing how we christians are making of the gospel a big business, we are in the last times,so what we need to do it is to pray God for mercy, and try to be holy as it is Him.
café poetic said
thank you – a stark warning to me!
appolus said
To all of us sister…………..bro Frank