In this blog I will try to clearly communicate my disappointment with those who claim the name of Jesus Christ today. It astonishes me that so many who say they are followers of Jesus give excuse after excuse not to serve Him. I am not talking about your typical sin either such as I did this when I shouldn't have. I am speaking of those who don't do what they should be doing. I speak of those who should be showing love to their brothers and sisters in Christ. I speak of those who should be involving themselves in sharing the good news of Jesus to the lost. I speak of those who are not imitating Christ but are trying to imitate their own idea of Christianity.
I've heard the excuse that it is understandable that the church today is like this because we can look at the letters of Paul and see that the early church had its problems too. Ok, maybe they had a couple of people in their midst who were not living as they were supposed to, but what did Paul say to do to them? Get them out of your midst and expel them from your fellowship. The early Church had to undergo major sacrifice and persecution everyday and the modern church can't even practice loving one another. I personally want to blame the problem on idolatry, because that is the simple solution. However, I think it is more complex than that. I think it is about people who are not committed to following Christ. Those who have never really known Jesus to begin with. It is those who follow a religion and a code of conduct. They make sure to not do this and this and this, but when it comes time to sacrificially give or simply give up pride to encourage and love a brother it is not even a thought in their head.
Well, maybe their just operating in the flesh...maybe, for we all do at times. But when it is a consistent lifestyle I have to say its more than that. I have to declare that they have no choice to operate in the flesh, because they have never received the Holy Spirit. They have created another god in their own head just as the Canannites did when they made Baal.They are not trusting Christ for their salvation and submitting to Him, but simply acknowledging Him and making sure they go to church.
I see people who not only tear down others by their actions, but tear down the good name of the one they claim to know. When does it stop? When do we stop giving excuses and simply be like Christ? I want to give testimony after testimony here, but do not want to be mistaken for boasting. I pray and weep for the lost and those who claim to know Christ but do not shine His light!
