2 Timothy 2:20&21 says, "In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work."
God wants to use you! It may be as simple as talking to someone at work, or within your family, or in your neighborhood! And it maybe as hard as going to some far-off land! All churches need godly people, not only to be positive examples, but also to serve. However, more and more I have been hearing stories of churches, that are not serving the Kingdom of God.
They are establishments where people come, socialize, listen to a "word", and go home. They purely go, just to put that check on their checklist for the week. Now I put quotations around "word", because believe it or not- many churches are not preaching a pure word. They are not speaking the Good News as the Bible puts it. They have gone to their human desires and are twisting the Good News to fit their agendas, and to fit the agendas of the people attending their church. They are trying to be careful to not ruffle any feathers. (I would honestly rather ruffle your feathers, than God's!)
2 Timothy 2:23&24 says, "Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people."
That does not say- "Tell them what they want to hear!" But be patient with them and teach them! God's truth is not going to change just because someone doesn't want to hear it! It won't matter how rich you are! Or how much influence you may have! You cannot change the Word of God!
On the flip side of this- is the bullying part! God's word always speaks of love and kindness. Going the extra mile to show peace and understanding! No where does it say to go out and picket with signs saying, "If you do or are X,Y, or Z you are going to hell!" Displays like these are just as disgusting and sinful as the worst of the people that you are judging! These people are already in a version of their own hell. They need compassion and healing! Not condemnation!
We are to lift people up! Put down those signs! Put down your agenda! And ask the person "how can I help you today?"
If your church isn't preaching of love in this manner! It's time for a hard conversation, or time to find a church that does. We don't have time to sugar coat the Bible!! And trying to reeducate people that have been taught half-truths and twisted truths, is much harder than showing them the lies they have come to know as truth.
I can stand up all day and say, "Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all His creation." This one "stand alone" verse is not a get out of hell free card for you to do whatever you want! Whenever you want! Or to live a life that you choose for yourself!
2 Timothy 4:3&4 says, "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4. They will reject the truth and chase after myths."
Will you chase the truth? Or will you chase the myths?
Until next time:
Be bless, be a blessing! And love one another!
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