DISCLAIMER……
I’m a bit on the angry side today, so everything that I say is purely of my own free will. My comments and feelings do not represent the Dethroned by Grace web site.
Preparing for church today I was excited, excited to teach people about Christ, excited about seeing fellow believers, excited to worship a loving God who has saved me, but all that quickly dissipated shortly after I walked into the door and was confronted with the human element of THE church.
People, all of us sinful, are so selfish. When did it become ok in the church to say, “It’s all about me? What are you going to do for me?”
A church is not a fast food restaurant where you walk up to the counter and say, “I want a cheeseburger, please hold the tomato and mustard.” In church we do not reserve the right to say, “I want a class for my 8 year old and make sure he’s saved before he’s 9 years old.”
What is wrong with saying, “I have an 8 year old, how can I help in getting him saved before he is 9?” How can I be involved? How can I SERVE!?
And when did Jesus say, “Hey, its ok, go ahead and quit! When things get tough, when people make you mad or when you get your feelings hurt, go ahead and turn your back on your family, (the church….the bride) and walk away.” ??
You know…… I don’t like church politics, I don’t like money issues and I don’t like when Christians don’t act like Christians…….if you confess to love Christ, then you must strive to ACT like Christ, LOVE like Christ, and ultimately LIVE like Christ.
Ok, my rant is over…..sorry about being so blunt! In the end of it, I love Christ and I know that he loves me. I won’t quit! I expect others to stick with me……like the bible say’s…..
Hebrews 12:1
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Yes, we each have a race marked out for US, if we quit we won’t finish OUR race and we will fail for Christ!
I have some wonderful people in my church, people that I love and would walk on broken glass for, people that want what I want, to save souls for Christ, but we must always keep our eyes on the prize…………..TO BE LIKE CHRIST!
Be humble, be loving, be giving, be like Christ!
May God bless you! Please don’t let my words offend you, but inspire you to be more like Christ, view your brothers and sisters in Christ as family and in that thought, work it out………don’t quit!
3 comments:
My Dear,
You are merely experiencing the low in the life of one who serves and "gets it." I too experience the lows of witnessing the shallow, self-centered falleness of the flock. It hurts, it is shameful to the term Christian, and yeah, I'll say it--it flat sucks.
What I am saying here is meant with the best intentions, as I have coached myself (or rather the Holy Spirit in me has) out of similar thinking more than once. I do not mean to undo your righteous anger, as it is also the Lord's honor over which you are angry. It is discouraging at times to serve passionately and dare I say sacrificially, especially to those who don't "get it." HOWEVER...
1) As "they" are fallen, so too we are fallen. I can't point to much of anything that I do that is not motivated by my Self--accolades for me, God's approval of me, the admiration of my peers for me...the list goes on. So who am I to point to someone else's ignorance or even rebellion? I deserve everything "they" deserve, because any righteousness resulting from my deeds is not my own.
2) Surely, I too hold something back from God that is already his. As "they" hold back time and sacrificial service, I just know that there are things I am not doing for Him. I may not even be aware of what I am witholding. Or much worse, as a "mature" Christian I do know better, and am aware what I am withholding.
3) People like Paul did not always get to see the fruits of his labor. Not written for us are the times when Paul may have turned his attention elsewhere where "they" refused to obey the gospel call. No, what has been preserved for us are his records of perseverence, encouragement and self suffering for the sake of Jesus. I can't think of a time where Jesus said, "C'mon guys, wait until you see them glorify the Father!" Never, that is until he spoke of His return...
Sister, continue the march! Serve unto our Lord Jesus himself, though those whom you serve may spit on you and presume to claim the same Lord. Rejoice in our high calling--that of being a trusted shepherd to guide the flock to safety and green pastures.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that TRIBULATION BRINGS ABOUT PERSEVERENCE; AND PERSERVERANCE, PROVEN CHARACTER; AND PROVEN CHARACTER, HOPE; and HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD HAS BEEN POURED OUT WITHIN OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WAS GIVEN TO US. --Rom 5:1-5
Amen, sistah friend! Preach it, baby, preach it! Check out MY blog post at A Peek At My Bookshelf...you'll find a sister of the heart there, I do believe!
Marla, I humbley hear your words and see your encouragement. I appreciate and respect your wisdom that you have gained through many years of a walk in faith, YOU I would walk on glass for!!
I'm not angry anymore, my anger subsides to hurt very quickly, but having said that, I need to learn to use the words of Christ to combat the enemy's attacks. I'm a work in progres and I will be for a long time. :)
Romans 5:1-5.....brilliant, I will store that and won't forget it!
Thank you for your perspective.
I do love you my sister in christ!
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