Let the Church Examine Herself
I hear a lot of people say the some people don't come to church because the presence of god is too strong and they're too convicted and don't want to turn from their sin.
I say, "Could it be that when they do come they see religion and hypocrisy?" Maybe they see a lot of competition and backbiting; a lot of selfishness and striving. Maybe they see the division among denominations and witchcraft manifested in control and manipulation. Maybe they've had preachers manipulate them into giving, just to see their face plastered across headlines for immoral behavior. Has it ever occurred to us that maybe we should take a look at ourselves and read the whole bible and make sure our own lives are conforming to the cross before we start bashing others for their sin? I'm just saying.....
It is time for judgment to begin with the house of the Lord. It seems to me Jesus was more concerned with sin, religious appearance without conformance, jealousy, strife and envy within the religious crowd than he was the clothing of a sinner or the drinking of the tax collectors!
If we're going to unleash on sinners, let us first examine our own tree for each and every piece of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:
Gal 5:17-26
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit thekingdom of God
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. (Amplified)
I say, "Could it be that when they do come they see religion and hypocrisy?" Maybe they see a lot of competition and backbiting; a lot of selfishness and striving. Maybe they see the division among denominations and witchcraft manifested in control and manipulation. Maybe they've had preachers manipulate them into giving, just to see their face plastered across headlines for immoral behavior. Has it ever occurred to us that maybe we should take a look at ourselves and read the whole bible and make sure our own lives are conforming to the cross before we start bashing others for their sin? I'm just saying.....
It is time for judgment to begin with the house of the Lord. It seems to me Jesus was more concerned with sin, religious appearance without conformance, jealousy, strife and envy within the religious crowd than he was the clothing of a sinner or the drinking of the tax collectors!
If we're going to unleash on sinners, let us first examine our own tree for each and every piece of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:
Gal 5:17-26
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. (Amplified)
Judgment to God's House first is a biblical fact and we're faced with two options. We judge ourselves, find and fix what is lacking, returning to our first Love... or we look at our face in the mirror, walk away and do nothing to change and then face God's judgment. My advice, for what that might be worth... option 1 is the much wiser choice!
ReplyDeleteAnother very good article!