Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. -Romans 12:5-6
Shame on you!!! I say shame on you to those who fit into this category! Lately I have seen some of the people I consider closest to me abandon the whole idea of what the Apostle Paul called "The Body of Christ." We are all made in specific ways that can further the Kingdom of God, but I have been hearing a lot of people judge certain churches, say certain churches lack the presence of the Holy Spirit, or some churches have sinners running teams of volunteers. Shame on you!
Maybe sometimes we get distracted by life and forget to put God first. However, sometimes we completely amputate ourselves from church trying to make a church fit our needs when we are designed to serve the church.
Tangent: Last night a very close friend of mine said in regards to his wedding, "Wes, I noticed that you find out who your real friends are during the wedding process. Those who truly care about you will put their selfishness aside for you, but those who seem to be distant or unhelpful are too focused on themselves."
All in all, I have been heartbroken lately at the lack of Christ-like behavior in those who I would expect to step up to the plate in this hectic time. I have seen things of this world completely take over people's lives and God is only a distant idea instead of the prophet, priest, and king over their lives.
I am not boasting, I promise, but it seems that I am always sacrificing for those around me. I have been sacrificing my wedding planning to help people because I LIKE HELPING OTHERS!
So I ask, please examine your motives and trust me when I say that if you are not in the Word, God is not going to speak to you, trust me. I believe Jesus and the Apostle Paul both believed in love in the form of discipline and so I hope some of you who are convicted by this repent and check yourself.
P.S. We are all sinners saved by grace. Remember that judgmental thoughts are equally as sinful as someone who has pre-marital sex, a murderer on death row, or a child trafficker. Serve the church!!!
3 comments:
This is pretty harsh Wes, but there is a lot of truth to what you're saying. I don't know the context in which your friends were talking about church but it's very true that we as Christains today ask churches to meet our needs. It's almost like asking Jesus to come down and wait ON US, to adapt to our life. We are his bride and he is the bridegroom of the "church" in which we serve. We serve Jesus by serving the church. That needs to be clear and distinguished which I know you know.
We need each other in this lifetime. I pray that I can be there for you to edify you and to help you grow closer in walk with Jesus.
And my God bless your wedding!! And marriage! Amen.
Jeff,
I always love your feedback. Me being harsh might be due to my simple nature, but I believe that some people are too smart for their own good and try to figure out who God is instead of just loving and serving him. Forgive my harshness but at the same time I must be truthful. Love ya bro!
Wes, who ever yor friend was that said "you will know who your true friends are during the wedding process" was so right! I have seen this time and time again and experienced it in our own wedding! I know it is stressful, and hard, and you feel bummed about how others are acting right now. But today is Monday. You have been married to your wonderful wife for like 48 hours and mostly it does not matter anymore what your friends said or did! Remeber to focus on the best... your new marriage and forgive those who did not step-up like you thought.
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