On My Mind...
Do you find it hard to remain optimistic? Is it increasingly difficult for you to fight cynicism? Politics turn my stomach. Politics in the culture and in the church. I’m tired of the finger pointing, posturing and grandstanding on both sides. I’m tired of living in a moral cesspool. I’m fed up with life in general. I’m tired of doctrinal degeneration, the loss of faithfulness and the lack of holiness. It is getting to the point that the line between believer and nonbeliever is nonexistent. I’m depressed about the cost of healthcare, gas, housing, education and just about anything else you care to name. Maybe we should just all get together and go find a mountain somewhere, build a compound and just hideout until Jesus comes. No, we’d just get on each other’s nerves. Now, aren’t you glad you started reading this article?
The truth is we live in a broken world. Our world that is dominated by sin. Corruption reigns in the hearts of men and thus, life stinks! That should neither surprise us, nor destroy us. The universal verdict seems to be that the church is in trouble. All the statistical data indicates the church is in serious decline. Scholars and religious gurus are scrambling to find an antidote. Worship services are being replaced with carnival acts. Corporate worship, the gathering of the church as a united body to express the praise and worship of God, is being replaced with a cafeteria style, do as you please worship “experience.” Dr. Phil has replaced the prophet, so instead of, “Thus saith the Lord” we ask, “How’s that working for you?”
What’s the answer? What do we do? I think the answer is simpler than we are willing to acknowledge. We believe, embrace, declare and live the gospel and we do so, together. I didn’t say the answer was “easy,” I said, “simple.” It is not complex and complicated. We acknowledge that every man, woman, boy and girl is dead in trespass and sin. We are rightfully under God’s righteous judgement, and we cannot fix it ourselves. But God, in love and grace provided the solution in the Lord Jesus. By trusting in the grace of God through Christ alone, we find life eternal and abundant. We then live as He commands us in His word, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Living as He commands includes being part of His body, the Church. If we are to thrive, we need each other. It is through life together that we carry one another’s burdens, spur one another on to good works and publicly display God’s glory. “Pastor, will that fix the world?” No, but then, that’s not our job! Our job is to preach Christ. Our job is to live out the truth of His word. Our job is to be salt and light. He does the “fixing” in His time and in His way. I’m fairly certain that as the Lord looks down at His Church, we often shakes His head and says, “Stay in your lane.” I’m I suggesting the cares of the world, and the sins of society are no concern of ours? NO! I am saying that there is only one Savior and we are not Him. By all means, speak to the issues biblically. Share your thoughts and opinions, but don’t forget the assignment given to us – preach and live the Word. Be the Church.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod
The truth is we live in a broken world. Our world that is dominated by sin. Corruption reigns in the hearts of men and thus, life stinks! That should neither surprise us, nor destroy us. The universal verdict seems to be that the church is in trouble. All the statistical data indicates the church is in serious decline. Scholars and religious gurus are scrambling to find an antidote. Worship services are being replaced with carnival acts. Corporate worship, the gathering of the church as a united body to express the praise and worship of God, is being replaced with a cafeteria style, do as you please worship “experience.” Dr. Phil has replaced the prophet, so instead of, “Thus saith the Lord” we ask, “How’s that working for you?”
What’s the answer? What do we do? I think the answer is simpler than we are willing to acknowledge. We believe, embrace, declare and live the gospel and we do so, together. I didn’t say the answer was “easy,” I said, “simple.” It is not complex and complicated. We acknowledge that every man, woman, boy and girl is dead in trespass and sin. We are rightfully under God’s righteous judgement, and we cannot fix it ourselves. But God, in love and grace provided the solution in the Lord Jesus. By trusting in the grace of God through Christ alone, we find life eternal and abundant. We then live as He commands us in His word, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Living as He commands includes being part of His body, the Church. If we are to thrive, we need each other. It is through life together that we carry one another’s burdens, spur one another on to good works and publicly display God’s glory. “Pastor, will that fix the world?” No, but then, that’s not our job! Our job is to preach Christ. Our job is to live out the truth of His word. Our job is to be salt and light. He does the “fixing” in His time and in His way. I’m fairly certain that as the Lord looks down at His Church, we often shakes His head and says, “Stay in your lane.” I’m I suggesting the cares of the world, and the sins of society are no concern of ours? NO! I am saying that there is only one Savior and we are not Him. By all means, speak to the issues biblically. Share your thoughts and opinions, but don’t forget the assignment given to us – preach and live the Word. Be the Church.
Have a blessed week and I’ll see you Sunday.
Rod