Spend some time thinking about those who have been in the church for years who aren't genuinely nice or compassionate people. Do you have a few faces in mind? The burned out Christians, often critical and more concerned about what is or isn't in the Bible rather than what God is showing them, are tired of doing what's right so they become good guys or gals who turn bad.
Years of church attendance and not doing much else but catering to those who are like-minded will dull senses when it comes to dealing with those outside of the church. In time, you become lukewarm or ineffective. A church-going Christian who is honest with his or herself knows that God is calling the individual to do some things differently in his or her life, but the leader, member or some other person in or out of the church will refuse. He or she will often make excuses not to do what his or her Maker is telling him or her. For instance, a dedicated member who should be spending more time with family will hide behind the excuse that he or she needs to be available to help the church body. An usher who could benefit from counseling rather than blame one's wife or husband for a failing relationship instead continues to weekly touch the collection plates while offering a fake grin at visitors and members.
"I am good...I don't need to change. I have been a Christian for over 30 years...What more do I need to do?"
For some who have decades of knowledge, they have very little wisdom. If someone or something doesn't have a license, a cross, and worth a lot of money, they aren't listening to any spiritual messages provoking them to change. They forget that Jesus didn't have a license and that carrying a cross wasn't a good thing. Further, the Son of God didn't have a place to lay his head. So too is the case for many Jesus followers. Men and women in Jesus' day hated him and to date unbelievers still hate those who believe in Him.
Now attending church is not a bad thing, but at some point you have to look away from the minister and get your eyes out of the Bible. Instead, look at what the Holy Ghost is moving you to do. A lot of men and women who claim to be believers in Christ have spent so much time being critical of like-minded believers that they are not winning any souls to Christ. They are so involved in the church affairs that they don't even see people as people anymore just numbers walking in and out the door.
When God calls you to sit down and set yourself apart from the others, know that He is preparing you to do things that religious people and doctrine will not support or understand. Don't get tired now, it's only the beginning! Draw near to God/Jesus, distance yourself from religion and start walking in your true calling!
Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic and other books.
Years of church attendance and not doing much else but catering to those who are like-minded will dull senses when it comes to dealing with those outside of the church. In time, you become lukewarm or ineffective. A church-going Christian who is honest with his or herself knows that God is calling the individual to do some things differently in his or her life, but the leader, member or some other person in or out of the church will refuse. He or she will often make excuses not to do what his or her Maker is telling him or her. For instance, a dedicated member who should be spending more time with family will hide behind the excuse that he or she needs to be available to help the church body. An usher who could benefit from counseling rather than blame one's wife or husband for a failing relationship instead continues to weekly touch the collection plates while offering a fake grin at visitors and members.
"I am good...I don't need to change. I have been a Christian for over 30 years...What more do I need to do?"
For some who have decades of knowledge, they have very little wisdom. If someone or something doesn't have a license, a cross, and worth a lot of money, they aren't listening to any spiritual messages provoking them to change. They forget that Jesus didn't have a license and that carrying a cross wasn't a good thing. Further, the Son of God didn't have a place to lay his head. So too is the case for many Jesus followers. Men and women in Jesus' day hated him and to date unbelievers still hate those who believe in Him.
Now attending church is not a bad thing, but at some point you have to look away from the minister and get your eyes out of the Bible. Instead, look at what the Holy Ghost is moving you to do. A lot of men and women who claim to be believers in Christ have spent so much time being critical of like-minded believers that they are not winning any souls to Christ. They are so involved in the church affairs that they don't even see people as people anymore just numbers walking in and out the door.
When God calls you to sit down and set yourself apart from the others, know that He is preparing you to do things that religious people and doctrine will not support or understand. Don't get tired now, it's only the beginning! Draw near to God/Jesus, distance yourself from religion and start walking in your true calling!
Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic and other books.
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