It is a false belief and vain hope to think that if we get the people of God living purer and better Christian lives then people will flock to church. The argument goes "if we get the church right and Christians living the true Christian life then the churches will be packed."
Now, I don't deny that some folk will be touched by the impact and witness of authentic Christian living, but, and it is a big but, Jesus lived the perfect life and when He was presented to the people by Pilate did the people support Him? Did they flock to join His cause?
People reject Jesus and true Christians because their deeds are evil. Many people prefer darkness to light. They want to walk the broad way. They want to to do it their way. They don't want to repent of their sins or walk the Calvary way. They do not want to be disciples and embrace the Cross. They are comfortable with their sinful ways and selfish lifestyles.
Jesus taught us that few would find the narrow way. The true Church comprises those who are called out of the wicked world, called to put their faith in Christ having repented and turned to Him. Many are called but few are chosen.
The parable of the sower helps to put things in perspective.
We do need labourers, however, because the Lord of the Harvest desires to bring people into the Kingdom.
We will never get the church right or perfect this side of the Parousia, the second coming of Christ.
The church is a hospital for sinners, and it was never intended to be a gymnasium for the spiritually super fit.
We sin. We fail. We falter. We fall short of our calling.
We may never be paragons of virtue, or super spiritually sanctified and perfectly pious, but we, as Christians, are partakers of the divine nature. And that should make us different, warts, blind spots, shortcomings and all! We may not be better than the person next door. We may have less charm and kindness than charity workers, but we should be better than we had been before we came to Christ. If we are not, then something is seriously wrong, and it's time to change and to get right with God. Christ wishes to make us new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), created in Him to do good works which He has prepared for us to do. Ephesians 2:10. He wishes to work on your life, and perhaps there is plenty to be done.
The Good News, the Gospel, reaches out to all, and it does not show special respect to the wealthy, the healthy, the successful, the strong and the influential. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34. It is for all, young and old, rich and poor, whoever lives and breathes, every living soul. The love of God revealed in the Gospel calls all to repentance, sinners to be saved by grace.
Now, I don't deny that some folk will be touched by the impact and witness of authentic Christian living, but, and it is a big but, Jesus lived the perfect life and when He was presented to the people by Pilate did the people support Him? Did they flock to join His cause?
People reject Jesus and true Christians because their deeds are evil. Many people prefer darkness to light. They want to walk the broad way. They want to to do it their way. They don't want to repent of their sins or walk the Calvary way. They do not want to be disciples and embrace the Cross. They are comfortable with their sinful ways and selfish lifestyles.
Jesus taught us that few would find the narrow way. The true Church comprises those who are called out of the wicked world, called to put their faith in Christ having repented and turned to Him. Many are called but few are chosen.
The parable of the sower helps to put things in perspective.
We do need labourers, however, because the Lord of the Harvest desires to bring people into the Kingdom.
We will never get the church right or perfect this side of the Parousia, the second coming of Christ.
The church is a hospital for sinners, and it was never intended to be a gymnasium for the spiritually super fit.
We sin. We fail. We falter. We fall short of our calling.
We may never be paragons of virtue, or super spiritually sanctified and perfectly pious, but we, as Christians, are partakers of the divine nature. And that should make us different, warts, blind spots, shortcomings and all! We may not be better than the person next door. We may have less charm and kindness than charity workers, but we should be better than we had been before we came to Christ. If we are not, then something is seriously wrong, and it's time to change and to get right with God. Christ wishes to make us new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), created in Him to do good works which He has prepared for us to do. Ephesians 2:10. He wishes to work on your life, and perhaps there is plenty to be done.
The Good News, the Gospel, reaches out to all, and it does not show special respect to the wealthy, the healthy, the successful, the strong and the influential. God is no respecter of persons. Acts 10:34. It is for all, young and old, rich and poor, whoever lives and breathes, every living soul. The love of God revealed in the Gospel calls all to repentance, sinners to be saved by grace.
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