By Evonne Wimbush
Fresh Harvest Christian Church (D.O.C.)
Over the past couple of weeks, I have been in conversation with several people (unintentionally) about the same subject, Church People, Christians, and Unchurched People. The tenet of the conversations was people that regularly attend worship service or those that profess that are saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost have forgotten from where they came. More so, their condition when Jesus came into their hearts, and they accepted him as Lord and Savior. Their profession of not doing what they used to do has given them the mindset they are the only ones that can receive this forgiveness from God and be set free from sin. These people are judgmental, rude, selfish, and instead of ushering in those that are sin-sick, they stand at the door and tell them they are not wanted in “their” church. There are those that want to be amid Believers and receive just a little bit of the grace, mercy, and love that is of Christ. There are people that are hurting (physically and mentally) and yet, the one place they are supposed to find healing for their souls is “full.” Many, I believe, want to be like the woman with the issue of blood, just touch the hem of His garment and be made whole (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48).
Just for a moment, let us consider the actions of church people, judgmental, rude, selfish, and amnesic. It is written in Matthew 7:1-3 that we should not judge lest we be judged. Let us understand that this means that with the same measure that we judge others, we will be judged. If you judge Sally on the length of her skirt, you will be judged on the length of your skirt or the hem of your pants leg. If you talk about Sam’s father who was an alcoholic and say the same will be of Sam, someone is talking about your father who was a cheat and a liar and are saying the same of you. As it is said, don’t dish it out unless you can take it. Read more in Luke 6:37, Luke 6:41, John 8:7, Romans 2:1, Romans 14:10. To sum this attribute up, look at Romans 14:13, “Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.”
Rudeness – James 3:6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” Drop the mic!
Selfish – According to the Online Dictionary selfish means “(of a person, action, or motive) lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one’s own personal profit or pleasure.” Jesus said according to Mark 8:34 (NLT), “…………If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” Simply, if you really want to be Christ-like, you will act like Him. It could be me, but I do not think selfish would be a description of Christ. I can imagine what would have gone through his head while he was beaten with a cat-of-nine-tails, while he was spat on, mocked and ridiculed, while he bled, hung his head, and died. I am certain he was not thinking only of himself during these moments.
Amnesic – The word “remember” is written approximately 350 times in the Bible. I believe this means that it is an important action to take. “But then I recall all you have done, O lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. (Psalm 77:11NLT).
I used to joke with my late mother about remembering to take her memory pill. I cannot say it actually worked as it should have, as she would ask me on occasion if she had taken it. She, at times, would have only swallowed it ten minutes prior to asking. After reminding her she had recently taken it, she would laugh and say, “It’s not working; is it?” I choose to believe that people often forget to take their memory pill (a combination of reading the Word of God, praying, fasting, submission and compassion). If we all did these things, I believe we would not soon forget of God’s mercy and how He saved us from uncertain death, provided when we had little or none, protected us when we were careless and reckless, delivered us from various addictions, and promiscuous ways of living. I believe if we medicated regularly, we would not be so soon to prohibit those that are seeking a Savior from meeting the One we know who holds the key, Christ Jesus.
Let us not be an obstacle for those that are striving to merely touch the hem of His garment and be made whole. Open your hearts to again feel the love of Christ; open your minds to remember that His saving grace is for EVERYONE. Open the doors of the House of Worship, step aside and let Jesus heal, save, and deliver. Let Him do what He does…even through us. Choose ye this day to not be judgmental (lest ye be judged), rude, selfish, and amnesic.
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