Something I've Been Thinking About Recently

[Caleb]

I attend church in the mornings & in the evenings. The evening service I attend, has a motto: "Come as You Are." The meaning behind it is that we're all sinners & need the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The more I think about it, that motto needs to really be more prevalent in many churches. Many people have turned off by Christianity just because of self-righteouness in the church. People tend to forget (myself included) that sin is sin, no matter what we do & is equal in God's eyes & is impure & unacceptable, but forgiveable. I know people who have had run-ins with the law & God turned their lives around & are totally in love with the Lord. Anyway, I just wanted to share.

[cjones]

i think you're right with the idea of coming as you are. Jesus sure didn't wait for somebody to not have any problems in their life before going to them - the Samaritan woman at the well, Zacchaeus the tax collector, or the woman accused of adultry that was going to be stoned.

But of course there has to be balance. A church should definitely be open to anyone who would come in, and be ready to minister to them wherever they are. That should not be though the sole way of evangelizing though - I think that church members should be going out into the community and reaching out to the multitudes that are destined for Hell because they have not had their sins forgiven.

That is a hard balance to get right - some churches lean heavily on one side (being overly welcoming.... and not helping those coming in to see that they are in desparate need of Jesus), and those who lean on the other - shunning anyone in church who isn't saved like them or dress like them or who wasn't born or married into the church.

You're right Caleb. One of man's biggest problems is self-righteousness (and pride that usually goes hand and hand with it).

-chris

[Caleb]

But of course there has to be balance. A church should definitely be open to anyone who would come in, and be ready to minister to them wherever they are. That should not be though the sole way of evangelizing though - I think that church members should be going out into the community and reaching out to the multitudes that are destined for Hell because they have not had their sins forgiven. Our church is also big into evangelism. We have all sorts of evangelism programs, especially just in the local community, what one of our pastors calls, the "PRD" (People's Republic of DuPage) in reference to our county.

[cjones]

Sounds like you are in a good church Caleb! :thumb

-chris

[4everHis]

Caleb, two thumbs up to you and your church. Your church is one of those that truly make a difference in the lives of people in the community.

[head1982]

I attend church in the mornings & in the evenings. The evening service I attend, has a motto: "Come as You Are." The meaning behind it is that we're all sinners & need the forgiveness of Jesus Christ. The more I think about it, that motto needs to really be more prevalent in many churches. Many people have turned off by Christianity just because of self-righteouness in the church. People tend to forget (myself included) that sin is sin, no matter what we do & is equal in God's eyes & is impure & unacceptable, but forgiveable. I know people who have had run-ins with the law & God turned their lives around & are totally in love with the Lord. Anyway, I just wanted to share.

Glad you have this kind of thing recognized because I believe we as Christians tend to lean onto Self Righteousness when we lost sight of the real dimension of sin, of who we are (sinners) and in the inconceivable (by the Human mind at least) Price Paid for it at the Cross in Calvary, the Life of the Lamb of God, Our Lord JesusChrist.
I'm Guilty of Charge :(: But am very glad God's progresively changing me :clap Praise be to Him!

We were discussing these with some friends about how when you have close relationship and fellowship with other christians, you really get to see they're sinners just like yourself, and called to Love them and Forgive them just as we were forgiven by God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

But We as sinners Judge People before we forgive, it's in our nature but thank God for the Holy Spirit and it's power to transform lives in order that we mold our lives to the Only True Perfect and Holy life: Jesus of Nazareth. It is Scriptural that People would Know we are His by our love for everyone, lost and saved. as in John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

And as Cjones was saying, it's a matter of balance, not confusing the Discipline and encouragement to Holiness and Sanctification the Church must have with the Love and Forgiveness. I think we need to remember we are Siblings of the Most High and for that we Know Scripture Also tells us that, both in Hebrews 12:5-6 and in Proverbs 3:11-12


My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,

because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.
It's a difficult thing for our limited and unwise hearts but it can be done through the Lord's Guidance.

God Bless