My thing is NOT that I think GOD is wrong, or that I intentionally want to go against his will in order to go astray from what is taught in the bible. I think one of the big problems with people that have a lack of FAITH is that they tend to be distrustful of those who provide it as opposed to the information itself, causing them to discern what they read.
Alicia does have a point, people do follow other people as opposed to the LORD's word, but I think that's human nature. There's a quote, "religion creates division" making the Muslim hate the Christian, making the Christian hate the Jew, etc. I know that as a sheep, you are also accounted for the slaughter. I would like people to think about the topic seriously as well.
On top of the distrust people with lack of faith, have toward the people who provide the message of GOD is what has been the product of MAN for hundreds of years.
1.) Think back to one of the worst crimes in United States History, the buying and selling of slaves. Devout Christians hundreds of years ago sold, enslaved, burned, hung, and killed blacks just because of the color of their skin.
2.) Think of massacres and suicides that have happened throughout the world because people have chosen to blindly follow the messengers of GOD. Intelligent faith helps you discern between what is right or wrong based on what is factually written in the bible and what is reasonable, as opposed to blindly believing what is told by man.
Scandels in the church as well as brainwashing, swindling, hate, and much more happen within the confines of a church. Not all churches though. I know very little on the subject apparently, but these are just a few surface details as to why some disbelief exist.
@ the end of the day it all comes down to the matter of FAITH and the belief in things unseen. And how you choose to demonstate that faith, shows how you walk this earth with GOD. So when someone says, "I feel like GOD skipped past the church and came to me," I wouldn't judge that person because I don't see it as vain, but just a particular way they came to see. I don't want people to think or feel like they have to be ignorant and blind to what's really going on in the world. That's why I say take the "wool" from over your eyes. People can concieve death, but the possibility of betrayal never crosses anyones mind sometimes. I might have to think twice before seriously and blindly commiting myself to a church as a disciple for Christ at this point in my life. I have so much more to learn, but I can definitely say that more soul searching needs to be done on my part.
Keep the Faith...
Hey Josh,
ReplyDeleteThanks for blogging. I just found your blog yesterday so that's why I'm not responding till now even though you wrote this a couple of months ago.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
They give him a bunch of different answers. But then Jesus says to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
I think that's the question you need to answer. It's not ultimately a church question. It's not ultimately a faith question. It's a Jesus question. Who is He to you?
You're never going to find a church that is doing everything right because a church is a gathering of sinful people (people who do things wrong). But we aren't looking for a church or a right confession of faith. We are following the One who died to become Shepherd of our souls because that is what He has commanded us to do in His infinite wisdom.
Jesus knew that churches would have problems (every church in the New Testament had problems and that's why Paul wrote each of his letters to them). But He still called His followers to submit to the local church because that would reflect their submission to Him. For them not to be submitted to the local church would be for them not to be submitted to Jesus. They couldn't choose to take one and not the other. And neither can we.
So my encouragement to you is to not let churches and their problems distract you from Jesus. Don't focus on the church. Focus on the One who is the Head of the church, Jesus. Know Him. Seek Him. Love Him. Submit to Him. Follow Him.
If anything, go to the church where this is what the people are doing so that you will be spurred on in your pursuit of Jesus because it's all about Him...
But before you can do that, you must answer for yourself when Jesus asks you, "Who do you say that I am?"
You are an encouragement to me. I pray that God would continue to open the eyes of your heart to see more and more of the glory of His Son so that you would live a life of passionate devotion to Him for the glory of His name and for the good of others.
Let me know if you ever want to talk or if you need anything.
Grace and peace,
Chris