Read this, and answer my next question in all seriousness:
He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, [growing] into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ's fulness. Then we will no longer be children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the teaching techniques of deceit. But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into Him who is the head- Christ. From Him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part. Ephesians 4:11-16
Now here's my question(s):
-Why has the church become so political?
-Why are we tossed by the winds, perhaps when a teacher leaves, we leave too?
-Why do we bully each other into getting what we personally want out of church?
-Why do our leaders worry about offending people, when, in reality, we want to shake people up in order to promote growth for body body?
-Why do so many Christians want a self-first worship experience?
-Why do church members feel that if they do their work on Sunday morning and Wednesday night, or maybe even perhaps, participate in extra church activities such as a special event, feel that that's enough, that they've done their job as a Christian?
Are you kidding me? This is out of control, ridiculous, and disgusting. I have no room to judge. We are not to judge one another.
It is never enough. All the activities that we do are never enough. We could always do more.
But are we?
Or are we playing politics? Oh, come on. I'm preachin' now.
Now is not the time to take a step back. Now is not the time to take a break. Live boldly! Straight from the word- live boldly. God asked us to love one another. When a parent disciplines their children- is it because they want to be mean to them? No! It is to discipline out of LOVE! Come on, get a grip. Get off the couch. Quit feelin' sorry for yourself. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU.
You know, way back when denominations were being established, early in the 1920's or so, this is when Christians started debated one another's specifics in the church. Whether or not to pray in Jesus' name or the Trinity, etc. Should we worship this way or that way? You can become a member if you do this, you can only take Communion if you do that...
THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED MISSING WHAT CHURCH IS ALL ABOUT.
Instead of debating things like this, we should be making plans to reach different parts of our community, we need to be coming together to figure out how to build up the church, not what it takes to get in. We need to be standing up for God as a unit!!! Not trying to find which church suits your personal pitiful needs. GOD MEETS YOUR NEEDS, FOLKS. NOT THE CHURCH. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, NOT FINDING A CHURCH THAT MEETS YOURS.
Let me ask you a question: Are you born again? Has Jesus saved your soul? Well you should darn tootin' be pretty satisfied with that! So much more satisfied that you want to go beyond doing your daily devotional and prayers and the end goodbye! So much more than seeing who's on praise team next week. So much more than making cute little small group outings. So much more than deciding whether or not we like each other's personalities...
Give me a break! LOVE ONE ANOTHER MORE THAN YOURSELVES. I see no one doing that in the church. Even in leaders, it's all politics. Aren't you disappointed in the direction of this country?! This country was based on the foundation of believing in God. My problem? Seems to me that we're the only people to blame. That's right. The church. We're not reaching out. We stabbing each other in the back.
Reality check, people. Jesus, John the Baptist, Paul, Peter... come on. How many people do I have to name to show you that these people were persecuted, not comfortable? They weren't trying to suit their own needs. They went around the world, begging people to find the truth because they LOVED them.
My guess is that we only reach out to those around us that we like.
Give me a break.
Give the world a break!
Love your neighbor as yourself. This doesn't mean the roommate that you have a lot in common with that you CHOSE to have living as your neighbor.
Don't run away. Run towards.
-Tara K
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