One Jesus...One Love...His Love!!

Jesus said many times throughout The New Testament that we as Christians will be persecuted just as He was persecuted. I actually delivered a message on this recently, but for some reason it just stuck in my brain (lots of empty space up there)...then it dawned on me why...I delivered the message backwards. I was preaching about the un-churched persecuting Christians!

How was Jesus persecuted? More to the point...Who persecuted Jesus? The un-churched...sure they did...but who more than them? That's right...the church itself.

I find myself at a point where I know my involvement in ministry is starting to make a difference due to the fact that more and more people on both sides are beginning to get upset. Now...understand that I am not out to make anyone upset purposely, but if me speaking on the Word of God ruffles feathers, I will never apologize!!

There is a mixed bag of emotions that comes with being an "on fire for God" Christian. There is sadness, frustration, and even peace.

The peace comes from Psalm 35 written by David...a man after God's own heart. The peace comes from hearing God speak and seeing Him move in my life. The peace comes from understanding that I, nor any other human, have control over events and the future.

The sadness comes from those that expect failure. Those that search for motives. Those that turn away in disagreement. Those that refuse to accept the change. Those that long for the old ways.

I expected the sadness. I knew that there would be old friends that would not understand the conversion. I mean...when you have partied beside someone and almost destroyed a small country with them, the change can seem dramatic. I knew there would be friends that would not get it and would turn away. Heck, I imagine even Paul had a few old Christian-killing buddies drop by his place a time or two after his conversion wanting him to go hunting!! They probably left saying things like:

"It won't last..."
"Saul is working an angle..."
"He'll be back with us in a few months...it's just a phase..."
"Ole Saul thinks he is just too good for us now..."

The frustration comes from those that look down their nose at others who are young in Christ. Those that place God in a formula and attempt to manage His worship. Those that cannot seem to see that Jesus's blood binds us ALL TOGETHER as Christians regardless of denominations. Those that are quick to critique but slow to help. Those that are immersed in self righteousness.

I have to say up front that while I expected the sadness, I had no idea about the frustration!! I mean...I thought: "Okay...well some friends will not understand, but no matter what I'll have a home in the church!" I mean...it's church!! We all believe in salvation through Jesus and that makes us all the same, right? Wow...was I wrong.

** Note that when I used the word church back then, it really meant organized religion or "The System". I have since come to see what Christ meant by the Church (notice the capitalization) through my experiences with true loving bodies of Christ!! True Church is amazing...and I encourage EVERYONE to seek it out!! **

As for "The System"...News Flash: You are DYING and DECAYING!!! It is sad to watch...as most are filled with well-intentioned Christians.

You are asphyxiating on endless rules and regulations on "proper worship". You are uninspiring through canned sermons and activities absent of The Holy Spirit. You are undeveloping in your focus on numbers and stats in an effort to gain monetary rewards through a higher man-made organization instead of God Himself. You are hypocritical in your longing for growth but only by YOUR rules...instead of Gods.

Let me be clear: Your awesome knowledge about The Bible, God, and Jesus make you a high ranking, modern day Pharisee...if you use that awesome knowledge to limit the Kingdom of God!!

What does it matter:

What someone wears to worship our Lord?
How long someone has been saved?
What sins they struggle with?
What ceremonial rituals they have performed?
How much they give?
What good deeds they have done?
Where they spent last Saturday night?

If they are coming to the House of the Lord...LET THEM IN!!! Get out of the way and let GOD work!!!

Stop trying to put Him in a box...cause there is none big enough. Stop trying to make following Jesus into a formula cause we ain't smart enough. Stop trying to predict who God will work through (and how) because we simply cannot.

I'm not saying that I have it all figured out...heck...I'm first to admit that I am ignorant except for what insights God has blessed me with. But I know this: We'd see a worldwide revival of unprecedented proportions if we'd just....

Get out of the way...and let God work!!

It is sad indeed, but as The System dies...The Church will strive!! Current leaders will catch the fire anew and congregations will be filled with The Spirit!! New Churches will be planted with leaders that preach The Word...not an agenda!! Churches who aren't afraid to have bright signs over both the entrance AND the exit!! This new revolution will be filled with leaders and laypersons who are not afraid to stand up and say "I am a sinner just like you!!". It will be amazing to watch God work and hopefully....hopefully...be a small part of it if He desires!!

As for this message...the people that would benefit most from it will not read it. I am a baby in Christ and in their eyes, my perspective means nothing. But I was reminded yesterday as I sat at a table talking to a young man (previously a stranger) about accepting Jesus...I have been called to minister to Youth and the un-churched (notice I said un-churched and not un-saved...there are countless people in Church that are not saved).

And it is to those babes in Christ (What an awesome name for an all girl Christian band...Babes In Christ) that I hope this message is delivered. Do not concern yourself with hoops to jump through and regulations to be followed. Follow God!! Trust in God!! Maybe He will lead you through some of those very hoops and regulations...but if He doesn't, just know that by confessing your sins and truly accepting Jesus...you are in The Kingdom regardless!!

One Jesus...One Love...His Love!!