You Have To Be Kidding

You Have to be Kidding

Yesterday I posted a blog with some short thoughts on the condition of the church, and the message it shares. Of course I was speaking broadly, as I indicated in the post.

You will find no greater advocate for the church than me. Betty and I have fought for more than 14 years for the right of all people to find safety and love in the church. For some unknown reason to me, some people define the love of God for all people as flesh pleasing. Avoiding the truth of their sin filled lives.

There is nothing further from the truth. At Amazing Life Church we have seen many over the years come to Christ and be baptized, all because they were shown God’s love. They turned to Christ because they heard His story. The only thing that can redeem them is to believe in Christ as their Savior.

I hate sin. The problem in many churches is there is only one or two sins preached. Heaven forbid you teach Proverbs six, or the rejection of Christ by the wealthy young ruler. The story of how we put things before Him. Jealousy, pride, or failure to forgive.

Who are you worried about offending when you will not acknowledge these sins?

There is not a person, in my belief, that does not see their sin,when in the church, you create an atmosphere of love and praise.

When this happens you allow God, and the Holy Spirit to do their job. (When He comes, He will convince the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.)

I have to say that I love it when religion is angered. It confirms the word from the Lord and its relevance to us today.

Some may take from my earlier post that I am criticizing the church. Once again, nothing is further from the truth. I call it like it is. I am a Pastor, not someone who just shows up. I Pastor a church, not just a group of people.

I love the church, and it is nothing more than arrogant hypocrisy to tell the world it needs to repent. All the while refusing to look at ourselves as members of His body, and acknowledge our faults and failures. Then repent ourselves.

In Romans 2 Paul was rebuking the church for passing judgment on others. Then He said this.

Romans 2:4

Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?              The Kindness of God!!!

Five different verses in Revelation show Jesus calling on His churches to repent.

The church at Ephesus, Revelation 2:5. The church at Pergamum, Revelation 2:16. The church at Thyatira, Revelation 2:21. The church at Sardis, Revelation 3:3.

I love the fifth one, it is the church at Laodicea.

Revelation 3:19

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

You see, I love the church, and when you find me challenging the church and its message, two things are going on.

First, I look at myself and the work we are building. Have I, or others within our church wandered off course. Is there something we need to improve. Something requiring repentance.

Secondly, because I love the church I will point out what I believe to be the danger that occurs when the church rejects the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the Greek, the word Gospel is defined as good news. Vines dictionary further defines the Gospel as the story of Jesus. His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

It is not Jesus plus, it is just Jesus.

Hope this clears things up for some of you who were confused.

As Paul said, let me show you a more excellent way.

I pray you are blessed and empowered by His love.

#lovewins #hopelives