Something that has been weighing heavily on my mind and heart lately is the question of: “Why?” - I do not write this in anger or condemnation. I’m past that now. The Lord has convicted me of my bitter heart and I have confessed and repented. I write this today to ask you to examine your own hearts and to ask it of your loved ones.
Ask people you know - either the ones who have not come back here (Post Covid, I guess that is where we are?) or those who have left their church - ask them this simple question” “Why?’
If the answer is “Well, I don’t like Pastor Scott” or “I don’t like my pastor” and then give reasons behind it, then ask them why they do not obey The Word of God for reconciliation.
After all, they claim to be “Christians”… right?
If they will not reconcile then ask them where they are currently attending church. If the answer is “No where.”. Then ask them: “Why?”
After all, they claim to be “Christians”… right?
Believers in Jesus Christ should desire the way of Jesus Christ.
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1st John 2:6 - NIV1984
It is never done to perfection, I am living proof, but I desire to live that way. It is a desire that “Christians” should have. To live and pursue a Godly life in Christ Jesus.
“The Bible says that I have to love them but I don’t have to like them.” is a phrase that I have heard in the church for 20 plus years now. Let me ask the people who hold that belief one simple question: “Why?”
If you desire to stay in a state of “dislike” towards someone - never moving away from that attitude then that is not love. Your continual dislike is your sin nature ruling your flesh. Scripture calls us to put that to death - go read Colossians 3:1-17 - I’ll wait.
If you do not desire to put your sin to death then your desire is to use it for the justification of your attitude.
You can dislike what someone does, that is normal. What is not normal is claiming to be a “Christian” and staying in your dislike. Christians are called to love, forgive, and to reconcile.
Love is patient - love is kind. It does not envy - it does not boast - it is not proud. It is not rude - it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered - it keeps no record of wrongs (And yet when we stay in a state of dislike towards someone isn’t that what we are doing? Keeping a record of wrongs of what we do not like about the person?) love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects - always trusts - always hopes - always perseveres - love never fails… unless you continue in your dislike.
So ask yourself, friends, family, etc. the simple question: “Why?”
After all, we claim to be “Christians”… right?