Ok, you grew up in church, maybe even gently forced to attend each Sunday. Is that so bad? Maybe, maybe not. Possibly you’ve witnessed the worst of the worst in church, and you can’t stand the thought of being a part of such disgrace, especially among church leaders.
With those past experiences, you now ponder these questions. Where is God in all this stuff? Why does He allow bad things to happen, especially in church and among church people? Surely He’s alright with me living life from my own perspective as long as I act good and don’t hurt anyone.
Before we find God’s answers to those questions, please be advised that church is comprised of sinners. Yep, you heard right. There are no perfect people at church. Not one. But there is One who is the head of the true Church, the body of Christ, the people of God. He is perfect and His name is Jesus. He came to us while we were sinners in order to show the way to true freedom lived in Him. Yes, your freedom is God-given, and you are free to reject His way, truth, life, even church.
In case you missed what I said, let me repeat. God came to us while we were still sinners, while we rebelled against Him. He came to live on earth to demonstrate true love. He came to die on earth to pay the penalty for sin. He willingly sacrificed His life so that we might have a chance at life, real life with Him on earth and in heaven. He offers grace and mercy to all repentant sinners.
So do you really understand God’s love for you and His Church? He loves you enough to die for you. Has anyone ever died for you, sacrificed life for you? Now that’s love worthy of thanksgiving.
Not only does He love you, but He desires for you to walk with Him, not in rebellion to Him because someone is misrepresenting Him in church. Become aware of Who He really is and how much He loves you. Allow His love to guide you in all truth. Worship Him and only Him, even at church.
Instead of walking away from the God of the universe who loves you completely, follow Him. You’ve been given a choice. Listen with your heart to God’s Word and make the right one.
You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
I cling to you;
your right hand upholds me.
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God will glory in him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced. Psalm 63 (NIV)
Jesus called out, “Come along with me and I will show you how to fish for the souls of men!” Matthew 4:19 (TLB)
Jesus replied, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (NET)
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 (NIV)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 (NASB)
Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, “If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NET)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 (NASB)
If you have no desire to worship the Lord, choose today whom you will worship, whether it be the gods whom your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But I and my family will worship the Lord!” Joshua 24:15 (NET)
The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. Psalm 37:23-24 (NASB)
Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21 (NASB)
But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; and you will walk in all the way which I command you, that it may be well with you.’ Jeremiah 7:23 (NASB)
But a time is coming—and now is here—when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such people to be his worshipers. John 4:23 (NET)