Statistically the Church is viewed as being in explosive growth, but only four percent of this generation claims the name of Christ. The Church has always been viewed as a place of redemption and sanctification, but in today’s media its boundaries and standards have been jaded and skewed. Has society done this, or has the body of the church brought it upon itself?
The walls of the church are still viewed as refuge to the weak, but has our definition of the weak changed? At one time the body of the church rallied around the lost, the forgotten, and the hurting and brought them the truth and strength through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Now, the body of the Church is hiding behind the safety of its own walls from the persecution of the world. Many believers have gone from proactive to immobile.
On page fourteen of An Unstoppable Force Erwin McManus writes, “We [the church] have chose standardization over uniqueness. We have chosen predictability over surprise. And without realizing it, to our own regret, we have chosen comfort and convenience over servanthood and sacrifice.” Some churches defy this norm, such as Healing Place Church, but what about the other 699 million members of the protestant belief, 1.2 billion Catholics, and the 77 million Anglicanism believers? (Wikipedia) Protestant churches are full of revivals and the Holy Ghost, but all they seem to do is “keep the holy, holy.” Then the Catholics are all about God’s forgiveness. If they are able to give one true message it would be that God covers all, but they portray very little of the sanctification the body of the Church should have for itself. God’s sanctity is all we need, true, but God calls us to live with sanctified bodies.
As God’s chosen people Christians are called to be set apart. They are not called to be set apart with just their “title” as a Christian, but also in all ways of living. God calls believers to be set apart not to hinder them but with hopes of, “…attaining yet greater perfection in living this life.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1 Amplified) In Thessalonians 4:1-8 God has specifically called follower of Christ to live a sanctified life; one pleasing to God and viewed by man.
Finally, we have the 77 million Anglicanism believers, whom I have never heard of so there is obviously not much global effect here. From what I understood about them on Wickipedia I would safely assume that they are another group, much like the Catholics, that is caught up in its traditions and much like the Protestant keeping the holy, holy. Again, this is an assumption, but I feel that we as the Church should be so bold in our faith that there would not be room for supposition.
Many great Christians are doing great things, but the majority of the Christian population fails to even present Christ-like character six days of the week. I am not trying to harp on anyone because I know for myself that much work needs to be done, but what will it take for us to awaken ourselves to this situation? The first step is accepting the problem, now it’s time to fix it.
(Some of these numbers may be dated due to the fact that research for this was done months ago)
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2 comments:
I hope u always keep a blog because this post was so true & just completely honest. More people need to write with this kind of openess you didn't attack anyone yet you ask Christians to examine the lives they lead & be more bold & courageous about how they live out their faith or to actually try to live out their faith. This was a very well written article. Thank you for having the guts to suggest people look at their own lives & beliefs to examine why it is that churches have gotten so caught up in having that they lost the true meaning of charity & willing to serve. Because its truly sad that a generous & loving christian has become a minority, we are supposed to reflect Christ instead many churches reflect the kind of behavior that temples in Jesus Christ's time were doing that mad Jesus so angry. God bless.
Thank you for the kind words. God has given me a passion to write and I don't do it nearly as much as I should. Your affirmation is definately an inspiration to keep going! // I pray I can reflect what I write. God Bless!
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