Being a Christian cannot be separated from being in church
... four characteristics of a Christian who cultivates a lifestyle of consistent behavior: He becomes dependable, persistent, true-to-type and unchanging.
I'll get into all these at some point, but first, remember that when I encourage consistency, I'm talking about very specific behaviors that require something of us:
- Being consistent in your prayer life, making dedicated time to pray alone and to pray with others;
- Consistent in studying the Bible, all the while applying its teachings to your life;
- Consistent in spending time with other Christians who are like-minded (that includes being active in a churchand also having friends who encourage and challenge you spiritually).
Nobody develops the characteristics I mentioned above (and the behaviors that bring them about) overnight. Like anything else in life worth having, cultivating a well-grounded spiritual life is a process and, like I said before,
that won't happen outside of consistently being in church.
I'm well aware that many people don't want to hear what I just said about church and get defensive when it's brought up. But this is just one of those things that you can't get away from if you're going to actually profess to other people that you are, indeed, Christian.I understand well that people get burned in church all the time by others who aren't actually living what they say they believe.
I've been burned in church by other Christians just like everybody else (and I unfortunately have the scars to prove it), but that doesn't mean that every church is a horrible place to be and that every Christian is a hypocrite.
People will always be selfish and make mistakes, and people do get hurt and offended in churches all the time for a million reasons. Just because we're believers, that doesn't mean we're perfect.
But our inability to be perfect doesn't give someone who says he is Christian an excuse to blow off being in church. Some people decide that because they have been hurt, they're just going to "go it alone," as in, "It's just you and me now, Jesus. Forget them."
If you're determined to hang onto your pride, you won't find yourself walking with God for long. Consider this Scripture: "He has made clear to you, O man, what is good; and what is desired from you by the Lord; only doing what is right, and loving mercy, and walking without pride (humbly) before your God."
(Micah 6:8)
Either way, you really can't say you believe in Christ and then refuse to do things God's way.
The God of the Bible and Jesus Christ are a package deal. You get one, you get the other, and what's expected by God — and even expedient — is clear in Scripture, to "not forsake the assembling of yourselves ..." (Heb. 10:25)
If you choose to ignore this, you will not grow spiritually, neither will you develop the desire to help others do likewise.
Views: 111
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Comment by James Robertson on July 19, 2010 at 9:38am -
Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
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Comment by James Robertson on July 19, 2010 at 11:41am
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Galatians 6:10
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Comment by lutheranlady on July 19, 2010 at 5:07pm -
Don W, point of order. Maybe he is censoring your spelling. Ha. It is you're not your. :)
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Comment by Rev. Matthew Gunia on July 19, 2010 at 8:09pm -
Don,
You have posted the following: "I say members should talk to membes, because we understand each other. Pastors have their own thing, and their own interest. Their Synod, Their District, Their fund rasing for the Synod, and their VP or area VP."
I am concerned that you are advocating that laity not discuss things with their pastors. I am also concerned that you are telling fellow Christians that their pastors are untrustworthy. Driving such a wedge between pastors and their flock will be beneficial neither to anyone within the Church.
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Comment by Rev. Matthew Gunia on July 20, 2010 at 5:14am
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True, there are some pastors who prove themselves to be untrustworthy. Both Jeremiah and Jesus condemn such undershepherds. And, should a faithful Christian find himself under the care of a selfish, arrogant, or aggressive shepherd, Lord, have mercy upon him.
This being the case, I would recommend that the lay members of a congregation consider their pastor a loving, Godly, faithful man until he demonstrates a pattern which proves the opposite.
We are here to teach the members of our congregation--collectively and as individuals. Therefore, if questions or concerns arise, especially about faith, I would strongly recommend that you make an appointment and see your pastor. He has spent a considerable amount of time studying, praying, and himself trying to live a righteous life. He would love the opportunity to sit with you one-on-one and walk with you.
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Comment by James Robertson on July 20, 2010 at 6:00am
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1 Thessalonians 5:12
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
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Comment by James Robertson on July 24, 2010 at 12:05pm
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Who we surround ourselves with has an impact on us. If we hang out with folks who are a little on the wild side chances are we will drift that way. If our group of friends are more on the reserved side that will rub off on us too. It is the same way in our faith life. If we surround ourselves with people who take their faith seriously and want to grow in their faith we will find ourselves in the same boat. If we spend time with people who just go through the motions we will do the same thing.
Jesus understood the need for community. When he sent his disciples out he didn't send them out on their own but in groups of two. They were there to support one another and encourage each other in their work. I hope you have found strong community when it comes to your faith life. We were made for community, our faith grows in community and we can have an impact on each other. Hopefully when the opportunity arises for us to be a part of community we won't find ourselves saying "no way."
Pastor Scott Suskovic Christ Lutheran Church
Charlotte, N.C.
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Comment by Rev. Matthew Gunia on July 24, 2010 at 7:52pm
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Do you then intend to place yourself outside of fellowship with other Christians until you are able to find such a congregation? Everyone wants a congregation full of people who are continually in the word, strong in their faith, follow all the teachings of Scripture, etc. But if you are holding out for such a perfect congregation, I'm afraid you won't find one. All churches are filled with sinners who are both tempted to and fall to their temptation. Scripture is mixed with the wisdom of man. Doubt and unbelief exist. The weak flesh finds itself unable to follow Scriptures commands. The Trinity is not honored as it ought to be.
We go to church not to glory in the presence of the saints; we go to church because we are all sinners in desperate need of forgiveness. And we find this forgiveness in the Church.
Go to church, Don. Love, honor, and pray for your pastor, even though he is a sinner. Pray also for those who worship with you, no matter what their faults may be. Trust that they pray for you as well, even when you are trapped in your sin.
Go to church, Don. Hear the Word proclaimed by a sinner and receive the Sacrament administered by a sinner with all the other sinful human beings that cling to Jesus' mercy.
Go to church, Don. And invite others with you.
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Comment by James Robertson on July 25, 2010 at 3:21am
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Our cause rests in the hand of him who distinctly tells us, “No one can snatch them out of my hand,” John 10:28. Furthermore, the gates of hell shall not prevail against my church,” Matthew 16:18. And Isaiah 46:4, “Even to your old age and to gray hairs I will bear you. I will do it, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” Martin Luther
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Comment by James Robertson on July 25, 2010 at 12:09pm
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John Owen | By God’s all-wise appointment, our assemblies are the food and the nourishment of our souls. It is the main way whereby we publicly identify with Christ and His Gospel. We evidence our love for Christ by our loyalty and support of one another in opposition to all false worship. Many things will rise up in competition to the diligent attendance of our assemblies. We must recognize and refuse to give into anything that is opposed to what Christ commands. The total falling away of a graceless professor always begins with this neglect, this disassociation with God’s people.
© 2012 Created by Norm Fisher.
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