A Few Words: church

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Why Do You Hate Me?

Hatred (Photo credit: dton23)

...the wicked slander me
    and tell lies about me.
3 They surround me with hateful words
    and fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!
5 They repay evil for good,
    and hatred for my love.

Psalm 109:2-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

No one purposely sets out in life to be hated. The act of hating can take a tremendous physical and mental toll on those who are engaged in the action. Likewise for the one who is hated. A goal that I strive for is to neither hate nor be hated, but I'm certain that there are those out there who hate the things that I cherish and believe in. If those haters could directly connect me to my loves and beliefs then they would probably hate me specifically.

Many who call themselves Christians try to make an effort to be loved by all. They try to adapt their Christian beliefs to be a big house where everyone is welcome to live no matter what beliefs they may have. Much modern Christianity adopts a doctrine of acceptance of all things--an open door for all believers no matter what it is they believe.

The Church should not be trying to conform itself to meet the world's approval. Christians should accept that there are times when they will be hated for the things they believe. To be hated does not feel good. Just remember when it does happen--Jesus suffered through the ultimate hatred so that we can have eternal life with Him in paradise.

Better to suffer for a while in this life than to suffer for eternity.

Blessed are you when people hate you,
    when they exclude you and insult you
    and reject your name as evil,
        because of the Son of Man.

Luke 6:22

New International Version (NIV)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Do You Really Need Church?

A Different Church Building (Photo credit: justshootingmemories)

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Psalm 122:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

Are you a traditional church goer? Or perhaps you go to church at non-traditional times like Saturday night for instance or celebrate the Lord in a place other than an actual church. Then again, you might find church meetings boring or ritualistic and prefer a learning environment like a Bible class or the informality of a Bible study group.

And then there may be those of you who eschew any semblance of organized religion. Some see it as phony or a gathering of hypocrites. Who really needs a bunch of holier-than-thou types looking down their noses waiting for others to fall? Is that the way you see church?

Many of us have had bad church experiences and would prefer to just sleep in on Sunday mornings or do something more fun than going to church. Others may find themselves too busy for church and would prefer to get other things done. Church often seems to be the same old things week after week. If we really feel the need for church we can watch it on television without becoming involved with others or even leaving the house.

Have you considered that maybe you are the biggest part of the problem? Church is after all the body of believers who meet together in worship, prayer, and study. Are you waiting for someone else to spark your inner flame? Isn't God enough?

If you are one of the many who have stopped going to church for any of the reasons mentioned here or for whatever reasons you may come up with, you may want to give church another look. Church is what the members make it. Church is for you, your children, your family, your friends--for everyone who wants to honor God.

Church is your privilege. Be thankful that you have the opportunity to attend a church that you choose. One day you may not have that choice.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25