I have been doing some studying that has me thinking. (Scary)
God chose the Israelites to be a chosen people, set apart, to show the whole world what the One True God could do for people who loved Him and Him only.
They were supposed to be the light that shined in a dark world.
But the flesh got in the way.
Commandments became rules that only the most “devout” could follow. Rules were added on top of rules on top of rules to demand human perfection. Leaders became actors, following a script, acting out the “correct” way to follow Him, outward actions became more important than inward, heartfelt belief.
And self importance took over (the flesh) thinking it was for them and them alone, though all through the Psalms and the prophets it speaks about the gathering of nations.
Prejudice grew, the flesh and self importance took over. And pretty soon they were hoarding His loving kindness for themselves, not wanting to share, believing it was for them and them alone, not for “every tribe, every tongue, every nation”.
Is that how we are at church?
Do we like our pew so much that we don’t want to see new faces? That we couldn’t stand the thought of going to church and it be so full we have to stand.
We, along with the Jews are now the light to a lost and dark world.
Are we including opening our seats at church, to opening our arms to the stranger? To praying our church become so full that we know we’re going to have to stand for the whole service?
Or are we teaching and preaching and hoping you find your own church?
When we don’t ‘speak life’ aren’t we being just like the Pharisees? Hoarding salvation for ourselves? And whatever happens to you, well, good luck with that?
Once we are saved, we become a slave, to do the will of the Master. A tool to be forged and used for His good pleasure.
And what is His pleasure?
From what I have gathered over the last four years, it’s for you to share. To give up your seat, to pray for your church to grow and be a light to a lost and dying world.
We are called to serve, not be served.
I’m not going to lie, I’ve had those thoughts.
“Boy I hope no one is sitting in my spot” “it’s the holidays, church is gonna be packed, I hope no one took my pew” “why didn’t they greet me like that at the door?”
We become possessive about our church, our friends at church, our seat. Our ‘position’ and then we become like the Pharisees. Wanting to horde it all for ourselves, so when we ( who go to church every Sunday, every Wednesday, every service) don’t have to give up our seat to someone “who probably won’t come back anyway “
The way the world is today, we need to pray for our churches to be full, not to lord our knowledge and piety over everyone else, but to bring this crazy out of control world back to its original focus.
There is only One God, His Son died to save us from our sins, He rose again to sit beside the right hand of the Father, and he will reap His harvest one day. I for one, would rather be a worker in the field than gleaning what is left over afterwards.
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