Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
If anything, thins post will be more of a rant but, in life sometimes you need a soapbox, a platform. Then sometimes God gives you one. Let me just be clear, this is directed at myself just as much as the next guy but, I'm sick and tired of it. I've got a fire to share this message and when you get a burning in your belly its time to share. What I'm talking about is the very real point that we Christians are facing in many churches and I'm tired of it. I'm talking about ritual and seclusion. If you are a traveling guest or, move to a new area and begin church hunting what is normally the first factor you look for? The answer is how are you treated. That's right, we really don't care about the pastors message right away nor do we care about the music. We want the beliefs to align with ours but, if there is a stink of unfriendliness, we tend to want to leave. We can't stand to be treated wrong but, people we don't even know. Or how about clicks? You know what they are, they are these little groups that form unintentionally most of the time but, once they are formed they cause others to be put aside. If you don't feel you are loved the church is not doing its job. We are the body of Christ and we will be known by or love, not just for the unbeliever but, for the believer. For the one who is put off because they are new to the church, for the one who volunteers and is shown no acceptance, for the one who slips up and is shown no mercy, I apologize to you for the church. We have become a massive den of close minded hypocrites who condemn the very ones who stand with us. Its no wonder we are looked at poorly by the rest of the world. We are supposed to love the sinner, hate the sin, seek out justice, be merciful, be patient, kind, loving, understanding. We are supposed to cry with those who morn and celebrate with those who are who are happy. We are supposed to reach out our hand and help those who need help, and run to those who need us. We should be willing to just wrap our arms around those in despair and welcome those who do not know God. Why? Because it is what Jesus did! He never turned away anyone, He loved, He gave, He served. Why? Because that is how we are supposed to live. Forget the fancy lights, the PowerPoint, the loud music, the teachings. People aren't saved by our church, they are saved by the grace of God that we are to share by our love. Enough of the theatrics, enough of the long, hollow prayers. Enough of the hell fire and brimstone. You want people to come to God and you want people to not leave the church? Then learn to love and accept them all. Stop with religion, religion is dead. People aren't looking for mysticism, they are looking for answers and love. Its time for faith and the end of ritual.
If you are wondering why I chose Psalm 1 as the opening verse here is why: when we were told how to live we were told to not be like the world. Instead of taking head to what we were told to do, we did the exact opposite and became like the world. The man who follows the law of God and takes heed to what He says will be the one described in the above verse. By not loving everyone and being as we are, we are not the person in the verse and we are no more then the Pharisees of the days of Jesus.
