The Church Must Repent: A Call from Within the House of God
By a Pentecostal Preacher Who Still Believes in the Power of the Holy Ghost, and the Love of Christ for All
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household…” — 1 Peter 4:17 (NIV)
The Church must repent and return to Christ. Christians, this message isn’t for the world. This word is for us—for the Church, especially those of us in the religious right who have long claimed the banner of Christ while marching away from His heart.
Yes, we’ve preached against the sins out there—but we’ve ignored the rot in here. Today, God is calling His people to repentance.
We Must Repent for Excluding the Needy and the Marginalized
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
We’ve said we are pro-life, but have we truly valued life once it leaves the womb? We’ve fed platforms more than people. We’ve shunned LGBTQ children, judged the homeless, looked past refugees and immigrants—and called it righteousness.
But Jesus ate with tax collectors, touched lepers, and welcomed the outcast (Luke 5:29–32; Mark 1:40–42). He didn’t fear impurity—He brought healing.
If we exclude the marginalized, we exclude Christ Himself.
We Must Repent of Spiritual Pride
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
— James 4:6 (NIV)
We’ve acted like the Pharisee who said, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people” (Luke 18:11). We’ve treated our political victories as proof of God’s favor, while ignoring our own arrogance.
But Jesus said the humble tax collector, not the self-righteous, went home justified (Luke 18:14). Pride is not a fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are (Galatians 5:22–23).
We Must Repent for Fueling Christian Nationalism
“My kingdom is not of this world.”
— John 18:36 (NIV)
We have too often equated patriotism with faith, waving flags higher than crosses. We have pledged allegiance to parties and politicians rather than to the King of Kings.
Let’s be clear: America is not the Kingdom of God. God’s people span every nation, tribe, and tongue (Revelation 7:9). Jesus came to tear down dividing walls—not reinforce them (Ephesians 2:14).
We Must Repent for Being Bought Off by Political Power
“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.”
— Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
Have we traded our prophetic voice for a seat at Caesar’s table? Have we endorsed unrighteous leaders because they promised to deliver on our moral agendas?
Jesus didn’t cozy up to Herod or Pilate. He spoke truth to power, even when it cost Him His life. The Church must be a prophetic voice, not a political pawn.
We Must Repent for Legislating Morality Instead of Living Love
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35 (NIV)“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
— Matthew 9:13 (NIV)
We’ve tried to pass laws to force morality rather than winning hearts through love, mercy, and truth. But Jesus didn’t coerce morality—He embodied compassion.
Our battle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). The weapons of our warfare are spiritual, and the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
We Must Repent for Replacing Divine Encounter with Showmanship
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
— 2 Timothy 3:5 (NIV)
We’ve built million-dollar sanctuaries with million-dollar light shows, but where is the power of the Holy Ghost?
We’ve choreographed every moment of worship—but where is the genuine move of God?
It’s time to tear down the stage and rebuild the altar.
A Final Plea: Return to Our First Love
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
— Revelation 2:4–5 (NIV)
Church, especially those of us in the religious right, we must not confuse moralism for holiness, or control for Christlikeness.
Let’s return to the full Gospel: truth wrapped in love, justice soaked in mercy, and righteousness defined by the heart of Christ.
Let Us Weep Between the Porch and the Altar
“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments.”
— Joel 2:12–13 (NIV)
Let us repent. Let us return to Jesus—not as a mascot for our causes, but as the Lord of our lives.
Even So, Come, Lord Jesus
We lay down our pride. We lay down our idols. We lay down our performance. We return to the cross, to the upper room, to the power of the Holy Ghost and the depth of Christ’s love.
This is not the end. This is the beginning of revival.
