Now, I am not talking about the great people who attend Community Church of the Hills. Nor am I talking about the ordinary, everyday Christian who makes mistakes, commits faux pas’, stumbles into accidental indiscretions and occasionally sins; that’s the believer’s daily battle.
One who walks with the Lord authentically will admit they are fallen and will turn away from an offense when it is pointed out or remembered. Yet that only happens when there is a relationship with God through Jesus that is honed by regular fellowship with Him by reading his Word, meditating on what He says, listening to and speaking with Him.
No, I’m talking about those who “go-to-meetin’” Sunday after Sunday, forever unchanging because they attend out of a sense of duty, looking at their watch during the sermon when they aren’t nappin’ in the middle of it.
They say the worship songs are too modern or too old; the drummer too loud, the sanctuary, too cold. They go to get, never to give, and never, ever, change.
Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce…”
I was at a Christian gathering some time ago and the subject changed to a very prominent believer in town who had died. A mover and a shaker, he was respected and well-liked. “He loved Jesus,” said a friend, “but, boy, could he swear up a blue-streak. Every other word was 'F--- this' and 'F--- that,' but, he really loved Jesus.” Hmmmm.
A church person once scolded me saying that it was my duty to teach only from the pulpit and NOT to live it out in public.
A pastor told described business meetings as well-attended only when there might be a fight.
When Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again,” he literally means that. Anyone coming to Christ is a new creation, the old is gone, the new has come.
In other words, you will be a brand new person. You cannot stay as you are and claim Christ as your Savior. If you do, you are deceived!
The Apostle Paul wrote this to all church people: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Oh, those darned church people. Yet Christ died for such as these.
Will someone please tell them?
With that said, will you please invite someone to our perfect little church this Sunday for the national observance of “Back to Church Sunday.”
You won’t find a hypocrite in the bunch.
Except me.
