There are churches on nearly every corner in America: Non-denominational, charismatic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist.... I could go on for ever with that list. Now, that we've been reminded about all those churches that we see, how many people do you see, just in your community, that are living for His Word? I can tell you that there aren't very many. TONS of people say that they go to church on a regular basis, but how could you tell by their actions? For the most part, all of those people listen to messages preached out of the same bible. They all have the same ending. God loves you, and Jesus wins in the end. Right? All of those bibles say the exact same thing. Yes, it is interpreted in different ways, but God made you in His image, He loves you, etc.
My question is this: Why are there so many people sitting in those churches and on their way to destruction? The message is the same in every single Bible. This may surprise you, but Jesus is the only Way to the Father. If you are greedy and stingy, you have surpassed murderers and rapists on the crap list in heaven. No man should be looked at as above everyone else. In fact, if you want to be "great", serve those around you.
Most Christians that I know, that I do not go to church with, are scared to death to tell people that Jesus is the ONLY Way. Jesus, Himself said that. This is the same guy that predicted His own death and resurrection, and pulled it off! He might have some insight into a couple of things. Let's be honest, what is so wrong with the message that Jesus preached? Love God above all else, and love one another as your self. "Oh, no! We might have to be KIND! We can't do that. We have to tell everyone how bad they are and all the reasons they might go to hell." How's that working for ya? Really, how many people have gotten on the straight and narrow path, and stayed there happily, with that sort of a message? Guilt is a short term motivator. I am a prime example of that. It wasn't until I got a true revelation of what happened at Calvary that I really began to commit my life to fulfilling His will. Let me fill you in on the details. The Son of God Almighty, part of the Holy Trinity, was in Heaven and had the same shape and substance as the Father, round the clock praise and worship. Instead of staying there, He saw us, humans, suffering because of our fallen world. He made Himself into the form of one of the very things that He created. (If you need a better view of that, think of us becoming something that humans can create, like spark plugs) Then, The Creator submitted Himself to the authority of that created being. He taught, preached, healed, delivered, loved and showed us a better way to live: as conquerors instead of slaves. Then, He submitted Himself to be beaten, tortured and ultimately killed so that we didn't have to try and pay that costly price. That is the message that we should be preaching. Get a hold of that message, let it sink into your spirit, submit yourself to the loving God, spread it everywhere you go, and you will see the world change before your very eyes. Jesus is the only way to that life lived in freedom.
Now I am going to call out pastors, elders, deacons, ministers, etc that think that they are better than the congregation that they have been given charge over. You may have a job inside the ministry of your church, but that does not mean that you are above them in any way, shape, or form. You put your pants on the exact same way they do. Actually, that goes for everyone. Do not judge someone just because they sin differently than you do. We all got issues. If you want to give someone advice about a certain area in their life that is going in the wrong direction, do so with love, gentleness, and kindness. As a matter of fact, have a good relationship with them first. It's called discipleship/friendship depending on the relationship with that person. I have both of those in my life. They can call me on my crap when I'm being an idiot, I don't mind because sometimes I am an idiot. But I digress. Let's get off our high horses, get down in the mud with the people around us that are struggling and teach them how to keep themselves clean, MOSTLY BY EXAMPLE! Basically, tell people about Jesus, and if you have to, use words. That goes for everyone! To be first, you must make yourself last. Serve others and you will be exalted.
Finally, there are over 2,000 scriptures talking about money. They all say that your righteousness is connected to your generosity. Yet, 3% of people tithe and even less give generously. My research shows that more non-Christians give to charity than Christians do. What is wrong with us? Give a kid a meal. There are tons of starving people that would be overjoyed if people cared as much as they say they do. Once again, same Bible, same message, but we cannot let go of our worldly possessions to bless others; even though the Lord promises that if we do, it will be returned "pressed down, shaken together, and running over" and "so much that our barns will be filled to overflowing". Then He says, in Malachi 3, that if we do not give to the church, ourselves, AND the poor (the three tithes, yes there are three. why do you think tithes is plural?) that we are ROBBING HIM!! It's not an immediate cure for poverty, a good remedy for poverty is getting a job. It is a process that begins a whirlwind of awesomeness coming your way. Aside from all that, there is something inside all of us that gets super happy when we do something generous for someone else. It helps you, blesses them, God is happy, His will is fulfilled! What more could we ask for?
I hope that everyone reading this knows that I love them. I have no beefs with anyone. I just want to stir up something inside each and every one of us. Something that brings us to the cross of Jesus Christ. When we step away from that encounter with Him, we come away with a heart to war against the darkness for those that do not know how to for themselves. I cannot express how important it is to God that we help others. He has the best life in store for all of us. It's not about Him liking us more or less. It's about walking through prosperity and health, giving Him the glory for it, and showing the rest of the world that that's what God has designed for us all! Better put, to show the world what God looks like.
Grace and Peace be with you Always!
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