A Call to the Backsliders (Zephaniah 1:4-6) (Zephaniah 1:12)

I totally agree that we are in the dispensation of Grace, but I also know that God has a time to hold people to account.  A time to let them know that their good time is over.  I believe that Zephaniah is very relevant to us today.  It is just that we should have read it earlier.

In Zephaniah 1:4-6, God deals always in love with what it looks like the backsliders, those that have a divided heart toward him.

"I will put an end to all the idolatrous priests, so that even the memory of them will disappear.  For they go up to their roofs and bow to the sun, moon and stars.  They claim to follow the Lord, but then they worship Molech, too.  So now I will destroy them!  And I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do.  They no longer ask for the Lord's guidance or seek my blessings.

Then there is the word in Zephaniah 1:12

"I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem's darkest corners to find and punish those who sit contented in their sins, indifferent to the Lord, thinking he will do nothing at all to them...

So in your opinions aren't those words spoken to the people of God who have backslidden? Who are living a double life?

There is a day of reckoning still to come on the earth and this is the day Zephaniah was speaking about in his time. 

It's going to happen in the Church around the world when God will judge in his love.

The days of the Church flirting with their horoscopes and astrology and lotteries will be over soon.

Those who are indifferent to the Lord will have to answer to him.

This first chapter concludes with the words: He will make a terrifying end of all the people of the earth.

This may not sound like an encouraging message that you want to hear, but please don't judge God.  Though he is a God of Love he wants people to be truly happy and free from idolatry and baggage and burdens that they put on themselves.  He will pursue them to the end because that is what Love does.

Have a great day!