[REVISED: It was brought to my attention that my original post was unclear at different points creating a misunderstanding and unfortunate offense for some. I apologize for any confusion and offense and I have made some edits to better communicate my originally intended message.]

On January 21st, we honored the murdered babies in our nation on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. We spent time praying for them, hearing God’s Word on the matter, and taking to the streets to be a voice for them in the public. What Wellspring continues to demonstrate is that this body is determined to be “doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving themselves” (James 1:22). I praise God for this church family and for all who support the work in a myriad of ways, whether through prayer, finances, time, encouragements, and all who are being a voice for the unborn in conversations, social media, on the streets, or at the mills. It is all necessary as we work to awaken the conscience of our nation and call all men everywhere to repentance through the gospel (Acts 17:30). James says that this is the fruit of a true Christian, when we are progressively growing in obedience to what we “hear” in God’s Word (James 2:14-26). 

Sadly, as we consider the church in America, many folks today are “deceiving themselves” by simply hearing the Word and doing nothing in response to it. The deception is very real and dangerous. That is why Jesus warns “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom fo heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord’…And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from me” (Matt 7:21-23). These are terrifying words that should not be disregarded or taken lightly. Jesus is telling us ahead of time that there will be a great deception of people thinking they are Christians but who are merely hearers of the Word and never repent or do anything in obedience to what they hear. It is not that “doing the Word” is how someone gets saved, but it is the fruit of being truly born again by grace. So those who have the Spirit hear the Word and respond to the Word, not perfectly, but progressively and repentantly all life long. But for the church in America, there is a glaring blindspot when it comes to being doers of the Word.

We have tolerated 50 years of baby murder and surpassed 65 million innocent victims with very little concern or attention from the church. 

We may have supported the Pro-Life movement at differing levels, but even these efforts have simply regulated the slaughter of the unborn and codified abortion into law. Since Roe v Wade, there has not been a Biblical, consistent, and steadfast effort by the church to abolish human sacrifice in the land. The church in America is guilty and needs to stop making excuses and repent. 

We heard from Pastor Ryan on Sunday how the Lord hears the blood of the innocent in the ground and promises to judge those who have bloodguilt by vomiting them out of their land. As saints listened once again to the plight of the innocent, having our hearts broken in compassion and conviction, a great many brothers and sisters decided to be doers of the Word by taking to the streets after service (as one application from the sermon). 

Between 12:00 and 1:30pm, the four corners of Stewart Parkway and Garden Valley Blvd were covered with signs drawing attention to the murder of the pre-born. Over 90 folks, from babies up to the elderly, stood courageously as neighbors, co-workers, family members, and strangers drove by. Saints risked their reputations by choosing rather to be “fools for Christ” (1 Cor 4:10). 

Since Sunday’s message, these words from Jesus have been going through my mind, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will be demanded more” (Luke 12:48). Wellspring Bible Fellowship, you have been given much! In the last few years you have heard truths and Bible teachings and exhortations from your leaders that most Christians will NEVER hear in this nation (how sad is that reality, but it is TRUE)! By God’s grace, our eyes have been opened. God has been pleased to sovereignly entrust us with more than others have received. And that means you and I will be held to a higher account.

It is REQUIRED of us that we DO SOMETHING with what we have received.

While many are being changed, perhaps some are still resistant to making application. Can we listen to Pastor Ryan’s heart wrenching message and NOT CHANGE ANYTHING? Can we hear God’s Word on the issue of bloodguilt and walk out of church the same person? Can we receive so much from God and yet not do a SINGLE thing for the unborn differently than we were before? Continued apathy is a warning sign that we are spiritually unhealthy. Will we not end up under the discipline of the Lord when you’ve been given so much and do nothing with it? In love, we exhort everyone to be moved to active obedience, though that “doing” doesn’t have to look the same as everybody else. 

I am so blessed to be a part of a church where so many are committed to being doers of the Word. Others from outside our church have shared on multiple occasions that what they see God doing at Wellspring is extraordinary and they’ve never seen anything like it. That is the Spirit of God at work in you believers! Glory to God for being so gracious to bring us to truth, repentance, and obedience to Jesus when so many others seem to remain in the dark. No man can take credit for such supernatural evidence of fruit and sanctification. May Christ continue to shape us into His image, and may we remain fully surrendered to seeking first His kingdom no matter how hard it gets. 

In Christ,

Pastor Bryan