What say you??

Friday, April 20, 2007

I can’t seem to get away from the turmoil that is going on in what passes for Christianity today. The more I read of church history the more you see the same thing repeated again and again throughout the ages.
I can see where the fear of a state sponsored religion can raise red flags. I’m sure most people don’t understand what has happened in the past when one church became “the church” of the state. In times past that meant persecution of any other church or religion that didn’t conform. At this stage in history one would hope that the killing and other forms of persecution wouldn’t happen but stranger things have happened. If we happened to be part of the “sponsored” church would be find it in our heart to stand against unfair treatment of those outside of our “club”?? Human nature seems to want to belong to the main group and shun those that can’t seem to accept what is deemed “the norm”. I think we all feel we would do the right thing but I know for a fact it’s really easy to get caught up in the flow of the crowd or whatever and follow the leaders without putting any thought into it!!
It appears to me that God has shined new light into those that were willing to hear it. As they began sharing it with others it caught on and the people moved forward in their walk with Christ. As it grew men became worried that it might get out of control so they began setting rules and regulations on the people. The scriptures were there and the Holy Spirit was available to teach everyone but the leaders were afraid to let go of their control and never taught the people that they could hear from God thru the scriptures on their own. Sure enough God raised up a new group of people that would hear from Him and the fight was on again. When you stand back and look at all of this you are able to see that it was man attempting to maintain control of what God was trying to do and once that happens the Holy Spirit moves on.
That said we can move onto this whole emerging church thing!! I know I’m a late comer to all of this but I am unable to get past it. Once again some of these people had valid questions about the practices of the organized church. We brought up the leaders of said bodies refused to address them other than to say this is how we think it should be done and if you don’t or won’t go along we won’t fellowship with you. At that point another part of Christ’s body was split away to attempt to function on its own! As this happened people moved into the void and began teaching that the authority taught by the OC [organized church from here on] was wrong and there didn’t need to be anyone in charge everyone should be in charge of themselves. Isn’t it clever how the enemy takes scripture and twists it just a little to get people moving in the wrong direction?? If you have ever been at sea you know that a slight misdirection can move you way off course down the road and make you miss your destination by a bunch. Could it be that the enemy has wormed his way into this new camp and set them off course and that it feels so good that many are following figuring that it must be right because it feels so good and so spiritual?? The things that they now accept and condone come out of so called religions that worship false gods and idols. We cannot worship Jesus in the same manner we once worshiped an idol or false god. He just will not accept that.
The question then becomes; how do we reach those that are being led astray?? There is no use trying to get to the leaders because they are already feeling the power and the money that comes from being in charge. They say there are no leaders but look behind what is happening and you see people directing the flow of things. Who do you suppose is behind all of that?? A lot of mainline churches are jumping on the bandwagon because it seems so hip and they want to be part of it. I’m sure there are a lot of well meaning believers that are getting sweep away in this stream. I myself spent several years in the “word of faith” thing. There seems to be none or very few from the OC that are willing to do anything other than criticize. Is it that the OC is afraid to look at their practices in the light of the scripture for fear of finding they are to stiff and turn the seekers off with all their rules and regulations?? The word says Jesus is the “bread of life” but I doubt He gave anyone the whole loaf!! It appears that it’s time to move out of our comfort zones and exam our walk and when we find error or whatever we must be ready to change. Maybe at that point those being swept away by this new wave will actually see Christ in us and begin to exam what they are believing and following. Not many people have been led to the light that is Jesus Christ by being beat over the head with the gospel club. There must be some love to go along with the correction if you want to make any impact!!

What say you??