April2's Profile
Where are all the true believers?
Apr 21, 2008 12:15AM
- 8 comments
Sometimes I'm just so frustrated, angry, sad and hurt by the actions of the very people who should be my brothers and sisters in Christ.
My own teenagers are still searching and questioning and for them to see bad behavior in other Christians only makes them think that most Christians are like that.
My daughter had an incident where a church leader (not our church) told her she was going to hell because she was questioning what she believed right now! I couldn't believe that. Is that anyway to draw someone to Christ??
Then today after leaving church someone got inpatient with how long we were taking and went around us in their car. Didn't they listen to the message today??
I did talk to my kids and told them that Christians are human too and we all make mistakes and sin, especially when we don't pray first and ask God what we should do or say. But it breaks my heart to see Christians behaving badly. What about the pastors who steal from their flocks? what about the priests who have molested children? What about the people killing in God's name? What about the people leading good people astray in cults? Don't they read their Bible? Don't they listen when Jesus said to love one another, put others before ourselves, pray for each other. turn the other cheek, forgive? How many people go to church every week and proclaim to have a faith in Jesus and then live in sin the rest of the week? There are so many people hurting in this world and we don't see it! Do we only care about ourselves? We're supposed to be reaching the lost, the hurting. How much damage this has done to those watching us.
I do have some good Christian friends who are truly seeking God but I see too many who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
Where's the fruit of the Spirit? "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." If we all only truly practiced what Jesus taught and truly aplied it all to our lives, what an impact we could have on this world.
Sometimes I'm ashamed of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Wake up, Christians! We are shaming the name of Christ! I too am guilty of not being all I can and should be for Christ. Lord, forgive me. How many times have I fallen short? How many times have I said something unkind or did something I know the Lord would not like or approve of? Too many times. If only we all could overlook our short comings and forgive each other (and ourselves), what peace we'd all have! If we all only had the faith the disciples had, what miracles we could see and participate in today!
I know there are several Christians on this site. My challange to you (and me too) is to check our hearts to make sure we're still in the faith. Humble ourselves in prayer and repentance and truly seek God as He deserves. We musn't be hypocrites if we are taking on the name of Christ. We musn't shame the name of the very one who died for us. My we each and every one glorify God in our lives every day.
God bless us all.
My own teenagers are still searching and questioning and for them to see bad behavior in other Christians only makes them think that most Christians are like that.
My daughter had an incident where a church leader (not our church) told her she was going to hell because she was questioning what she believed right now! I couldn't believe that. Is that anyway to draw someone to Christ??
Then today after leaving church someone got inpatient with how long we were taking and went around us in their car. Didn't they listen to the message today??
I did talk to my kids and told them that Christians are human too and we all make mistakes and sin, especially when we don't pray first and ask God what we should do or say. But it breaks my heart to see Christians behaving badly. What about the pastors who steal from their flocks? what about the priests who have molested children? What about the people killing in God's name? What about the people leading good people astray in cults? Don't they read their Bible? Don't they listen when Jesus said to love one another, put others before ourselves, pray for each other. turn the other cheek, forgive? How many people go to church every week and proclaim to have a faith in Jesus and then live in sin the rest of the week? There are so many people hurting in this world and we don't see it! Do we only care about ourselves? We're supposed to be reaching the lost, the hurting. How much damage this has done to those watching us.
I do have some good Christian friends who are truly seeking God but I see too many who talk the talk but don't walk the walk.
Where's the fruit of the Spirit? "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." If we all only truly practiced what Jesus taught and truly aplied it all to our lives, what an impact we could have on this world.
Sometimes I'm ashamed of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Wake up, Christians! We are shaming the name of Christ! I too am guilty of not being all I can and should be for Christ. Lord, forgive me. How many times have I fallen short? How many times have I said something unkind or did something I know the Lord would not like or approve of? Too many times. If only we all could overlook our short comings and forgive each other (and ourselves), what peace we'd all have! If we all only had the faith the disciples had, what miracles we could see and participate in today!
I know there are several Christians on this site. My challange to you (and me too) is to check our hearts to make sure we're still in the faith. Humble ourselves in prayer and repentance and truly seek God as He deserves. We musn't be hypocrites if we are taking on the name of Christ. We musn't shame the name of the very one who died for us. My we each and every one glorify God in our lives every day.
God bless us all.
Some people claim to be what they are not this is where hypocrits come from, True christians will have good fruits, you will know them by their fruits Meaning if they are christians they will behave as Christians if not they will sew bad seed for instance they will claim to be what they are not. All I know to do is to Pray for them in Jesus name and show you good fruit and be kind. Set examples by the way you live.
Wow, you ask the same things I have also, and I suppose so many people. All I know is that I can learn from the bible, learn from my pastor's sermons/bible studies, since he is one of those men that try to follow the Lord, and help us grow as mature Christians.
This Sunday I noticed that church seems to be more of a social club than a group of believers wanting to grow in knowledge. Pretty sad state of affairs. Praying is best, and if you have found a few close bible study friends, count yourself so blessed. I have found a few also, in my church and other denominations, and to make a group of 7 it took almost as many churches. God still is working on those who trust Him And I always say, just because I go into a garage, it doesn't make me a car. If someone attends church, that doesn't mean they are a Christian. There are phony pastors so one has to really know their bible now to avoid phony religious things. I've been told i'm not a believer by quite a few, usually legalistic, rule following people, and I've learned to pray for them and if I have doubts, pray to the Lord, and not take human advice too seriously. Help your children learn, as best you can, and pray hard for them, and new believers, as it seems so many people want to stomp their spiritual fire out. What a pity. No wonder the bible has about 'fighting the good fight' but who knew it would be in our own churches! May the Lord of all peace give you His peace and grace.
This Sunday I noticed that church seems to be more of a social club than a group of believers wanting to grow in knowledge. Pretty sad state of affairs. Praying is best, and if you have found a few close bible study friends, count yourself so blessed. I have found a few also, in my church and other denominations, and to make a group of 7 it took almost as many churches. God still is working on those who trust Him And I always say, just because I go into a garage, it doesn't make me a car. If someone attends church, that doesn't mean they are a Christian. There are phony pastors so one has to really know their bible now to avoid phony religious things. I've been told i'm not a believer by quite a few, usually legalistic, rule following people, and I've learned to pray for them and if I have doubts, pray to the Lord, and not take human advice too seriously. Help your children learn, as best you can, and pray hard for them, and new believers, as it seems so many people want to stomp their spiritual fire out. What a pity. No wonder the bible has about 'fighting the good fight' but who knew it would be in our own churches! May the Lord of all peace give you His peace and grace.
First of all we need to make sure we are in the church of GOD's choice. Not just our own choice according to how I feel. As long as the bible is preached and ALL is truth! Every church and religion has its hipacrits. Even in bible times. I like to liken my church to the 10 wise and 10 foolish virgins. It isn't a pleasant thought, only realitly. I just want to make sure I am one of the wise and not look at others faults unless they are grotesque. I can not judge. Only God judges and he judges each to their own knowledge. Did you know that God requires a new birth experience?
Now I want to ask you... Have you read up on the head covering? I know alot of people say it is old fashioned and not aplicable in this day and age. BUT, God is not the one who said it! It is man. And it says that is exactly what will happen in the last days. It says to be on the look out for those that teach us not the bible way. So lets read our bibles. WE need to understand it as God would have us do and not just blindly follow what man has to say on the subject. O.K. Now the covering... I have heard all the arguments about the hair being the covering but if you go back in history how many sects all wore it? All the way back to bible times! It has only been in the last 100 years that people do not wear anything to cover thier head when when they attend church or pray.
Also the dress issue. We are not to wear apperal of a man. I know that pants are made for women, but where did that start? In the last 100 years or so. There were no pants for women. It was either kulots or dresses. And the dresses of the christian women where 'modest'. No big neck holes. No close fitting anything that it doesn't leave much to a mans imagination. I could go on but won't. Have a great day. And I pray you will get your answers. I know you will if you seek God first and listen to only what he would have you do.
Now I want to ask you... Have you read up on the head covering? I know alot of people say it is old fashioned and not aplicable in this day and age. BUT, God is not the one who said it! It is man. And it says that is exactly what will happen in the last days. It says to be on the look out for those that teach us not the bible way. So lets read our bibles. WE need to understand it as God would have us do and not just blindly follow what man has to say on the subject. O.K. Now the covering... I have heard all the arguments about the hair being the covering but if you go back in history how many sects all wore it? All the way back to bible times! It has only been in the last 100 years that people do not wear anything to cover thier head when when they attend church or pray.
Also the dress issue. We are not to wear apperal of a man. I know that pants are made for women, but where did that start? In the last 100 years or so. There were no pants for women. It was either kulots or dresses. And the dresses of the christian women where 'modest'. No big neck holes. No close fitting anything that it doesn't leave much to a mans imagination. I could go on but won't. Have a great day. And I pray you will get your answers. I know you will if you seek God first and listen to only what he would have you do.
April, you and I must've been having the same kind of week! I have experienced my own issues with exactly what you wrote about, and I was SO frustrated and discouraged last week! Certain things happened with certain people in my life that just really got me down, and some of those people were calling themselves "Christians." I was in such a state of frustration last week that I wrote a blog on MySpace that practically parallels your journal entry here!
In fact, I got to thinking that (and this is just my opinion) people who claim to be Christians but do not live as a genuine believers are practically taking the Lord's name in vain. The way I see it is if a person says, "Yeah, I'm a Christian because I believe in God and Jesus," but they don't go to church and they do absolutely NOTHING that bears ANY fruits of the Spirit, they are making a title for themselves out of what our loving Savior did for them. They're just using the name and religious title of something so profound, so full of love, and something that should provoke fear, humility, and the desire to have faith, trust, and obedience within them for the One who is their Creator, their Savior. But to these so-called Christians, becoming "Christ-like" means nothing to them. It seems more like they feel that claiming the title "Christian" only gives them a hopefully more positive reaction from people when asked of their religion. However, if they "offend" someone, they're quick to denounce all of what true Christianity is supposed to stand for.
That's just the way I see it, and that's what really infuriates me. But I suppose everything comes down to the fact that only God knows each person's heart and where they really stand.
In fact, I got to thinking that (and this is just my opinion) people who claim to be Christians but do not live as a genuine believers are practically taking the Lord's name in vain. The way I see it is if a person says, "Yeah, I'm a Christian because I believe in God and Jesus," but they don't go to church and they do absolutely NOTHING that bears ANY fruits of the Spirit, they are making a title for themselves out of what our loving Savior did for them. They're just using the name and religious title of something so profound, so full of love, and something that should provoke fear, humility, and the desire to have faith, trust, and obedience within them for the One who is their Creator, their Savior. But to these so-called Christians, becoming "Christ-like" means nothing to them. It seems more like they feel that claiming the title "Christian" only gives them a hopefully more positive reaction from people when asked of their religion. However, if they "offend" someone, they're quick to denounce all of what true Christianity is supposed to stand for.
That's just the way I see it, and that's what really infuriates me. But I suppose everything comes down to the fact that only God knows each person's heart and where they really stand.
April I agree with you! We call ourselves Christians, but shame the name of Jesus at least we think we are shaming him. The word tells us that no man meaning mankind will make a mockery out of Gods name and get away with it! Hyprocrites! We act just like the Sadducees & pharisees always going around pointing trying 2 find fault n others instead of ourselves brood of vipers!!! Yes we steal n his name yes we do all of the things that the almighty bible tells us not 2 do! That's why scriptures tell us that my sheep know my voice & only my voice will they hearken unto, but a stranger they won't listen to. Remember many are called but only a few are chosen. And we that are chosen let us lead by example & show the non believer that this is how we Christ walk n gift talk! And last but not least we can't go around blaming the church folks saying thais the reason why I don't go 2 church. We each are held accountable b4 God on judgement day! Let him deal with the snakes but as for us we are commissioned 2 preach the gospel 2 the ends of the earth!!!
Luv, I'll tell you right now it ain't just the flesh that's weak. :)
You're a member of one of the biggest religious groups in the world. And that group has more splinter groups, factions, and ways of interpreting their book than there are fleas on John the Baptist.
The short of it is...just because they say they're a true Christian, doesn't mean they are. Remember the old saying...looks, walks, and quacks like a duck? well...
My advice is to avoid those that you don't seem to "fit" with. The thieves, the power brokers, the fanatics...they all make me about as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. (Alright, I've used up my quota of country sayings/wisdom for the day).
Don't look for "perfect fits", just close.
Call it, say, kissin' cousins (Ah! One more!!!).
If you can get that, you can be happy to have friends of close enough belief to go courtin' at the barnyard square dance. (Alright, even I'm tired of it! I'm stopping before I put on a straw hat and start smokin' a corn cob pipe!)
You're a member of one of the biggest religious groups in the world. And that group has more splinter groups, factions, and ways of interpreting their book than there are fleas on John the Baptist.
The short of it is...just because they say they're a true Christian, doesn't mean they are. Remember the old saying...looks, walks, and quacks like a duck? well...
My advice is to avoid those that you don't seem to "fit" with. The thieves, the power brokers, the fanatics...they all make me about as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. (Alright, I've used up my quota of country sayings/wisdom for the day).
Don't look for "perfect fits", just close.
Call it, say, kissin' cousins (Ah! One more!!!).
If you can get that, you can be happy to have friends of close enough belief to go courtin' at the barnyard square dance. (Alright, even I'm tired of it! I'm stopping before I put on a straw hat and start smokin' a corn cob pipe!)
Thanks, everybody, for your responses!
huneybee, you're absoloutely right. We show we're followers of Christ by our fruit. And to be honest, when I started searching my own heart I think God has shown me plenty of times I wasn't acting very godly myself. I in no way want to ever act like I'm better than someone else. I'm just as much a sinner in the need of grace as the next person.
karen, you sound a lot like me! We seem to think alike. I agree wholeheartedly with what you said. God bless! Hope to meet with you again sometime.
George, you bring up an interesting point. Is the head covering a man made doctrine or did God command it? Now, if you notice the Jews still cover their heads when they pray. It's supposed to be a sign of respect and humbleness before God, I believe.
Now, if it was a man made doctrine, does it still aply today? And if it was God ordained, does it still aply today? Notice that many of the commands from the Old Testament do not aply today because of what Jesus did on the cross. We now live in a time of grace. We are not under the law anymore. We don't have to do animal sacrifices anymore (thank goodness!) because Jesus was our sacrifice for all of us. We also used to be vegetarians until the fall. It was only after Adam and Eve sinned that God allowed them to eat meat. The first blood spilled. The world was in perfect harmony up until that point, a hint at what Heaven will be like.
Now, didn't the disciples say (after Jesus' death) that there were no longer unclean animals and that all things were permissable to eat, even sacrificed animals as long as we did it to the glory of God? Now, was that man ordained or God ordained?
Boy, we could go on and on with this subject! I love talking about it though. It never bores me. Thanks for your insight.
AJH84, you and I think alike too! You're right. Only God truly knows the hearts of every person and only He can and should judge all people. As He said in His word, the wheat and the weeds will grow together until the harvesting time comes when the wheat will be gathered and the weeds tossed in the fire. Ouch, scary thought.
Like I said, God has shown me that I too wasn't always showing good fruit. I have to contantly check my own heart. Thanks for your thoughts! Keep in touch! It's always good to hear from you! Take care!
boldsojah4Christ, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! You are right. We all are sinners and we should take care of the plank in our own eyes before trying to remove the splinter from our brothers eyes. As the Word says, then we can see well enough to remove the splinter from our brother's eyes. Lot's to ponder on all of this.
I think the thing to remember is to stay humble and rely on God and God only, not our own strength. Thanks for writing! I enjoy reading your writing to others and encouraging others. Keep up the good work in Christ!
Savas, my friend! I can always count on you for a good laugh! You are hysterical! I am so grateful to you too for not judging me on the cat forum. I get the feeling you are a lot like me, a peace maker. I do like to keep the peace, believe it or not. I don't usually get into debates. I only got into that one because I felt like I was kinda sticking up for someone (well, and myself somewhat! :)
I think I got the gist of what you were saying, hee hee. Don't look for perfect fits. Makes sense. Who among us are perfect?
Like I said, I have to remember sometimes that we are all sinners. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. That's why we need God's forgiveness and grace so much. It can't be earned because none of us are perfect. It's a gift. Simple as that.
God bless you all! Thanks again for your thoughts. I'd love to stay in touch and hear from you all again! Take care, everyone! Have a blessed day! :)
huneybee, you're absoloutely right. We show we're followers of Christ by our fruit. And to be honest, when I started searching my own heart I think God has shown me plenty of times I wasn't acting very godly myself. I in no way want to ever act like I'm better than someone else. I'm just as much a sinner in the need of grace as the next person.
karen, you sound a lot like me! We seem to think alike. I agree wholeheartedly with what you said. God bless! Hope to meet with you again sometime.
George, you bring up an interesting point. Is the head covering a man made doctrine or did God command it? Now, if you notice the Jews still cover their heads when they pray. It's supposed to be a sign of respect and humbleness before God, I believe.
Now, if it was a man made doctrine, does it still aply today? And if it was God ordained, does it still aply today? Notice that many of the commands from the Old Testament do not aply today because of what Jesus did on the cross. We now live in a time of grace. We are not under the law anymore. We don't have to do animal sacrifices anymore (thank goodness!) because Jesus was our sacrifice for all of us. We also used to be vegetarians until the fall. It was only after Adam and Eve sinned that God allowed them to eat meat. The first blood spilled. The world was in perfect harmony up until that point, a hint at what Heaven will be like.
Now, didn't the disciples say (after Jesus' death) that there were no longer unclean animals and that all things were permissable to eat, even sacrificed animals as long as we did it to the glory of God? Now, was that man ordained or God ordained?
Boy, we could go on and on with this subject! I love talking about it though. It never bores me. Thanks for your insight.
AJH84, you and I think alike too! You're right. Only God truly knows the hearts of every person and only He can and should judge all people. As He said in His word, the wheat and the weeds will grow together until the harvesting time comes when the wheat will be gathered and the weeds tossed in the fire. Ouch, scary thought.
Like I said, God has shown me that I too wasn't always showing good fruit. I have to contantly check my own heart. Thanks for your thoughts! Keep in touch! It's always good to hear from you! Take care!
boldsojah4Christ, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this! You are right. We all are sinners and we should take care of the plank in our own eyes before trying to remove the splinter from our brothers eyes. As the Word says, then we can see well enough to remove the splinter from our brother's eyes. Lot's to ponder on all of this.
I think the thing to remember is to stay humble and rely on God and God only, not our own strength. Thanks for writing! I enjoy reading your writing to others and encouraging others. Keep up the good work in Christ!
Savas, my friend! I can always count on you for a good laugh! You are hysterical! I am so grateful to you too for not judging me on the cat forum. I get the feeling you are a lot like me, a peace maker. I do like to keep the peace, believe it or not. I don't usually get into debates. I only got into that one because I felt like I was kinda sticking up for someone (well, and myself somewhat! :)
I think I got the gist of what you were saying, hee hee. Don't look for perfect fits. Makes sense. Who among us are perfect?
Like I said, I have to remember sometimes that we are all sinners. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. That's why we need God's forgiveness and grace so much. It can't be earned because none of us are perfect. It's a gift. Simple as that.
God bless you all! Thanks again for your thoughts. I'd love to stay in touch and hear from you all again! Take care, everyone! Have a blessed day! :)
Modest dress is modest dress whether it's in a skirt, dress or pants. Women had been wearing pants for centuries before it was forbidden. So I'm sorry George73 but your history is mistaken. There are several famous cultures where the men wore "dresses" or skirt-like dress such as the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Scotts to name a few. And, if you think about it some fairly famous Biblical figures too: Moses & Jesus. Slacks were invented so that men could more easily use the restroom and skirts and dresses remained the norm for women because they are easier for women in this circumstance. It wasn't until it was outlawed that women were not allowed to wear pants but there is absolutely no bibilical support of this restriction.
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