In the last month, I have read things - published online articles as well as social network posts from acquaintances - that has turned my heart sickness toward those inside the Church. This big "C" church refers to the whole Christian community and not to one specific congregation or denomination, and my sadness crosses all those lines as well.
So, what prompted this post? I read an article about LGBT people becoming pastors of churches in a denomination that I wouldn't have expected, and about a deacon who was a "they" instead of a "he" or "she." I was reminded by an acquaintance of a very public pastor in another denomination who proudly displays her crudeness and sins in front of her congregation - with no apparent remorse over sin or effort to turn from sin. Also, I read a comment someone posted that the Church makes a big deal about homosexuality but not other sins, for example porn, when all sins are equally bad. I know not everyone in the Church (or outside it) who reads this post will agree with my stances. I'd rather not name names or put the articles on here, but if you are interested, I can share those with you.
So, as this post is about some of my church ponderings, I'm just going to put them here with no necessary flow of order - just as they have come.
- Porn is more of a hidden sin. People aren't flaunting it and trying to push it on other people. I haven't heard of people trying to convince others that it is okay and that everyone should accept it. Well, not directly anyhow. It has become more and more accepted through all forms of media - magazines, billboards, t.v., movies, books, etc. At the current time, though, people aren't going around openly telling others that they are into porn and demanding acceptance of it. There aren't parades, protests, and political action committees for porn. It doesn't make it right, but it can explain some of the reason you hear less about the Church fighting it.
- If we (at the church my family attends, and I believe many others) knew a person struggled with porn, or another sin (homosexuality, adultery, anger issues, etc.), it would not keep them from coming to our church. It wouldn't even keep them from becoming a member. If known, though, it would mean they couldn't be a leader. They couldn't be a Sunday school teacher, ministry team lead, or pastor/minister. Why? Because we believe that teachers and leaders are held to a higher standard of expectations - by the Bible! The section that immediately comes to mind is 1 Timothy 3. James 3:1 says "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." Matthew 18:3 says "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." This is stated also in Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2. Luke 17:1 says, "Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.'" If a person has a known sin in their lives that could cause others to sin or give a wrong view about God (His character, His expectations, etc.), then they should not be in charge of leading others.
- The Church is a place of sinners, seeking to be pleasing children serving our heavenly Father (and more importantly seeking to bring others into the family of God, but that's not the current topic here). We all have some sins. The difference is in whether we flaunt them and say "So what?" or repent and say "I'm sorry. I'll try to do better." Then, we put the words into action - and really try to do better! At least that's the way it should be... I'm afraid a large body in the Church is starting to say "So what?" and thumbing their noses at God.
- For those who say that the Church is ignoring sins such as porn, there are some programs that exist. Some educate people about it and its effects, as well as some who help people overcome it. There are also programs that exist for overcoming other sins, such as anger issues. Yes, every sin is egregious. If we have a known sin and cannot beat it on our own, then we should seek help from trusted others. Again, I don't believe you hear as much about these sins since they aren't being forced for acceptance as social norms.
- I have been led to a different way of thinking about modern-day "Pharisees." I usually think of "Pharisees" as just being overly legalistic about things. A new way I started thinking about them is that they make up their own rules and try to force others to follow them. During His earthly life, Jesus addressed the Pharisees acting in this way. In today's time, I'd say this would include those seeking to redefine "church," being a Christian, and right from wrong.
- There is not a unity in the Church on beliefs. It has always been Satan's goal to divide and conquer, and he is making progress. This should not be, Church family! Deuteronomy 7:25 says, " Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Utterly abhor and detest it, for it is set apart for destruction." We need to be careful what we are allowing into our Church "house."
- I saw someone wrote about the duality of Christianity - that it's black and white, not accepting of all the gray areas. I agree, but I don't see it as a bad thing, as this author did. There's right and wrong, absolute truth and untruth. There is light and dark, heaven and hell, saved and unsaved. I think it's helpful to have some things like this clearly spelled out so I don't have to guess or doubt about such things! This author said it is "not this way on earth." It's not the way we humans see and do things. He's right! We messed it up! God's not wrong just because we have consequences for our own sins!
- The author in the above point also said, "...love that is the very essence and nature of God..." So many people forget about His justice! Yes, he is a loving God, but He metes out discipline just as a loving father would, to help his children grow as they should. Proverbs 3:11-12 says, "My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."
- Not all who call themselves Christians are. Not all churches have the favor of God upon them. There are false teachers in the Church and the Christian community. If someone claims to be a Christian, then they should be making efforts to turn from sin and live a Christian life. 1 Corinthians 11:13-15 says "For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve."
Here are some other verses I've found while praying and thinking about all these church ponderings. I hope you'll consider taking the time to seek God and read them on your own.
Unity in the Church
1 Cor. 1:10, Romans 16:17-18, Gal. 5:15
Turning from Sin When You're a Christian
Romans 12:1-2, 12:9, Gal. 5:13, Col. 2:20-23, Col. 3:5-6, Eph. 5:1-7, 2 Tim 2:19, 2:22, Titus 1:16, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Peter 2:16, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 John 1:6, James 1:26, 1 Thess. 5:21-22
False Teachers/Not All Who Claim to be Christians Are
Gal. 1:6-8, Col. 2:8, 1 Tim. 4:1-4, 2 Peter 2 (whole chapter), 2 Peter 3:15-16, Matt. 25:31-46, 2 Peter 3:15-16
1 Timothy 4:16 - Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Cor. 1:10, Romans 16:17-18, Gal. 5:15
Turning from Sin When You're a Christian
Romans 12:1-2, 12:9, Gal. 5:13, Col. 2:20-23, Col. 3:5-6, Eph. 5:1-7, 2 Tim 2:19, 2:22, Titus 1:16, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Peter 2:16, 1 Peter 4:2, 1 John 1:6, James 1:26, 1 Thess. 5:21-22
False Teachers/Not All Who Claim to be Christians Are
Gal. 1:6-8, Col. 2:8, 1 Tim. 4:1-4, 2 Peter 2 (whole chapter), 2 Peter 3:15-16, Matt. 25:31-46, 2 Peter 3:15-16
1 Timothy 4:16 - Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you - unless, of course, you fail the test?
