The Worldly Church in a Churchy World

When I was a boy, I heard my dad preach a message about the church being the bride of Christ. The title of the message was, "Any ol' gal won't do." And yes, I have used that title. As a ten year-old boy, I remember my dad making this statement:

"The church is becoming more and more worldly, and the world is becoming more and more churchy.

One of these day you won't be able to tell the difference between the two."

Much credit to LD Cannon; we are just about there today. My beloved bride was recently excoriated online for saying she didn't feel right about joining the group called, "A fan of God" on the popular web forum, Facebook. My beloved bride stated, "I don't know, I can't bring myself to be a "fan" of God. I think He deserves more reverence than that." (That is all she said about it; no more than that.)

One woman, a Christian, said she didn't have a problem with it. (That phrase has always intrigued me. But that is for another blog.) "If I want to put down that I'm a fan of God, that might be the thing that causes someone to ask questions, and I can tell them about the Lord!" (If she attended church, that might help too.) This woman went on to call us self righteous, hypocritical and uncaring about souls; as if she has such a close relationship with God. How can deep Christians be so shallow?

My wife and I have given our lives for the last twenty years to the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am a little fed up with backslidden Christians telling me that my standards or my position is bad because it makes them uncomfortable. I know lost people who show more reverence to God than that. I am not God's "fan" I am His servant; His disciple; His preacher. God is not my Buddy. He is not my pal. Jesus is not my "Bro." The Almighty Jehovah, Creator and God of the universe is my Master, my Savior, my LORD and my King.

The bloody horrific death He died on the cross of Calvary paid for my sorry wretched hide to escape an eternal burning Hell fire, which I know I fully deserve. I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, there dwelleth no good thing, and I know that His very Blood paid my redemption. Excuse me if it offends anyone, but on those terms, the word, "fan" just doesn't cut it.

I am weary of thirty-year Christians with a toddler's understanding who do not read their Bible, do not witness, do not go to church, do not tithe and do not pray, telling me that I am "holier than thou." Frankly, I am "holier than thou." And if these people are to be comfortable around me then, either they have to get holier or I have to backslide.

That God of which they claim to be a "fan" said, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." It is amazing how easily offended these "progressive Christians" tend to be. I am amazed at the intolerance of those who cry out for tolerance. I marvel at this "deeper life," and how shallow it is. Are we part of a worldly church, or a churchy world? Or are we part of a "called out" body of believers. One must decide for one's self.

But while deciding whether my position is too Pharisaical, remember; "The fear of the Lord if the beginning of wisdom." "The fear of the Lord is to depart from evil. O.k. I have ranted enough.

Just a thought. Thanks for reading