Church

My faith has been rocked in the last year. No, I have not rejected God or his work of reconciliation. My view of the church has radically changed. I believe the “church” that exists today does not resemble the church, body, that Christ desired. The church is focused on Sunday morning and not much more. People in our communities are not being reached. Churches pour hundreds of thousands of dollars into buildings and programs that rarely reach outside the walls. Selfishness is sin. When we are more concerned for our own life than we are for others we are being selfish. Scripture tells us “ALL” who call on the Lord will be saved. Everyone should be granted the opportunity to accept or reject Jesus. You do not have the right to pick and chose who hears the gospel. Just as Jesus was sent to save the world you have been sent to share that same saving work.

The body was meant to be more than a group of people who put on their best dress, wash their cars and show up for church on Sunday for others to awe at their presence. Jesus said to live we must die to ourselves. That means we need to put away every selfish desire to follow Christ and share the news of his life death and resurrection. When Christ says, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” he means lay everything aside to accomplish this task. It should be the first item on our to-do list. Whatever situation you find yourself in, share the gospel. Standing in line at the grocery store, waiting for an oil change, siting in the doctor’s office, waiting for your restaurant order or sitting on break at work share the gospel. Live the gospel love God and love others. Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.” How can you love other and not share the gift that was shared with you? Let your every action, every step be for the glory of God.

Get out of your pew and get dirty. Not sinful but walk with those in the world until you find someone to walk with you. Teach them and Disciple them in the ways of Christ. Rarely if ever will you find that person sitting next to you in church. Jesus went to fishermen, society did not respect fishermen, these are the ones he discipled. Seek the “least of these” and minister to them helping them be a better person while growing in Christ. Seek to build a body of like-minded individuals all in “one accord” desiring more from God. Find people who are hungry and feed them spiritually and physically. Teach them to minister to others just as you came alongside of them. This is what I believe Jesus intended for the church.

Church serves its purpose and that is exactly what I’m trying to avoid church serving” its” purpose rather than doing the work that Christ desired. I identify many goats within the church. We need more sheep as exemplified in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. If we truly desire to reach “ALL” we must avoid religion and tradition that has grown in the church. Become a new creation allow the Holy Spirit lead and guide your every work and never be satisfied that attending church Sunday morning is enough. God has formed you while you were yet in the womb for more. He has a master plan that does not include you sitting idly by while the world travels a highway to the depths of hell never to return, never to have another hope for life. You have been given a gift not to hide under a bushel but to place high on a lamp stand that all can see and find reconciliation with God through Christ.