As I sit here this morning with a heavy heart, I pray for those Christians on a mountaintop in Iraq, waiting to be rescued. I pray for those doctors who have contracted the Ebola virus by helping those in other less-fortunate countries. As the Gospel continues to be spread throughout the world, I see the contrast between the persecuted church and the church in America.
Here in America, I read the headlines of current events in the Christian realm. Although I do not like to write about current events, I am deeply troubled at our presence in this country. We have Christan singers denying the inerrancy of Scripture. We have a pastor's child who committed suicide last week, maybe for being confronted online over his “public transgressions”. A pastor and his church were removed from a church planting organization that he helped start. We have denominations that are going against Scripture and condoning a lifestyle that is contrary to the Word of God. A couple months ago a pastor that I really enjoyed hearing teach, had to step down for indiscretion. The fingers pointing and the tongue-wagging that all of this has brought on is astounding. Instead of being earnest and diligent in our prayers for the people affected by and going through all of this, we become part of the mob of condemning Pharisees. Don't get me wrong, the Bible clearly gives guidelines and procedures for correction, especially for those in minstry. Yes, sin does need to be brought to light and dealt with. However, to take to the public square hinders the growth of the Body and will not win those who have not Come Home yet. Our failure to pray for those caught in sin and to seek to restore them, is itself a sin on our part. I am reminded of the story of Jesus interaction with the religious leaders and the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11). Casting stones at others is probably not the best use of our time. It certainly isn't attractive behavior to a world lost and dying and in need of a Hero to rescue them. If they get the sense that we will do the same to them if they “mess up”, why would they even want to come and join with us?
Jesus prayed for us all to be One in Him the night before he died (John 17: 20-26). I'm sure He would be appalled at what we do to each other as believers and followers of Him. If we are to show Him to this broken world, inhabited by broken people, He commanded us to love each other as He loved us. We can't do that by throwing stones, lashing out at each other in social media or even withholding forgiveness to other offenders. Without showing the process of restoration to this world, they will neither know or understand, what that even looks like. If we continue to be unnatractive in our dealings with each other, we will not be bearers of light to this darkened world. Let us instead, weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn and seek to restore to a right relationship with Him, those who have acknowledged their sin, confessed it and turned back to Him. This should always be the attitude of followers of The Way. Let us not continue to break the Father's Heart by condemning other believers who have stepped out of line and lost their way. Unity is the key to the Way (Ephesians 4:3).
Here in America, I read the headlines of current events in the Christian realm. Although I do not like to write about current events, I am deeply troubled at our presence in this country. We have Christan singers denying the inerrancy of Scripture. We have a pastor's child who committed suicide last week, maybe for being confronted online over his “public transgressions”. A pastor and his church were removed from a church planting organization that he helped start. We have denominations that are going against Scripture and condoning a lifestyle that is contrary to the Word of God. A couple months ago a pastor that I really enjoyed hearing teach, had to step down for indiscretion. The fingers pointing and the tongue-wagging that all of this has brought on is astounding. Instead of being earnest and diligent in our prayers for the people affected by and going through all of this, we become part of the mob of condemning Pharisees. Don't get me wrong, the Bible clearly gives guidelines and procedures for correction, especially for those in minstry. Yes, sin does need to be brought to light and dealt with. However, to take to the public square hinders the growth of the Body and will not win those who have not Come Home yet. Our failure to pray for those caught in sin and to seek to restore them, is itself a sin on our part. I am reminded of the story of Jesus interaction with the religious leaders and the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11). Casting stones at others is probably not the best use of our time. It certainly isn't attractive behavior to a world lost and dying and in need of a Hero to rescue them. If they get the sense that we will do the same to them if they “mess up”, why would they even want to come and join with us?
Jesus prayed for us all to be One in Him the night before he died (John 17: 20-26). I'm sure He would be appalled at what we do to each other as believers and followers of Him. If we are to show Him to this broken world, inhabited by broken people, He commanded us to love each other as He loved us. We can't do that by throwing stones, lashing out at each other in social media or even withholding forgiveness to other offenders. Without showing the process of restoration to this world, they will neither know or understand, what that even looks like. If we continue to be unnatractive in our dealings with each other, we will not be bearers of light to this darkened world. Let us instead, weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn and seek to restore to a right relationship with Him, those who have acknowledged their sin, confessed it and turned back to Him. This should always be the attitude of followers of The Way. Let us not continue to break the Father's Heart by condemning other believers who have stepped out of line and lost their way. Unity is the key to the Way (Ephesians 4:3).
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