After hitting the two biggies, music and movies, I figured it would be better to just combine the rest into this last of three articles about worship. Complete worship of God is supposed to be every Christian's assigned duty. Defining it is an individual thing, at least to a point. However, the Bible is very clear that we are to worship Him.
Because Christians mimic the world, it is sometimes difficult to separate the two, as pointed out in the first article of this series. Music, movies, television, newspapers, games, magazines, clothes, and even our schools and universities are all trying to meet in the middle (if not further) for the world. Believing that somehow if we just "meet in the middle, the whole world will be saved" is crazy talk; at least Biblically speaking.
If you put a cup of hot coffee into a cold room, what happens? It will become the temperature of the room, eventually. This is the second law of thermodynamics, sort of. Hot and cold will always become the same temperature when put together. The same thing happens in life. When a Christian hangs with a non-Christian, things change for both of them. When you have a church that will try and mimic the world in order to gain membership, they are giving up something to do it. The world must see the church as different or there is no point of being the church, is there? If one thing the whole world has been able to see over the last couple months is that the church is really just the people within the building, not the building itself.
Where do we, the Christian church, go from here? The first place to start is the Bible. Why? It's the rule book; hello? Take a look at just the churches that believe the Bible is either outdated or needs an overhaul. They have allowed most of the things considered "heretical" into their congregations. No need to further that thought, just use your imagination. There is no problem with any congregation doing whatever they choose to do. The only request I believe God would have would be to take His name off of it; please!
Jesus didn't have a problem with people at all. He not only loved them, he tolerated the "bad" ones. Don't believe me? Where was Judas sitting at the "last supper"? It is generally assumed he was on Jesus' left during the meal. The left position would have been for the honored guest. While this is a whole other study, let it sink in. Jesus didn't put one of His "better" followers in that spot. Jesus doesn't dislike folks. He allows everyone to make their own decisions.
Matthew 19:16 through 23 tell the story of "the rich young ruler". Here are the last two verses.
"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."
Notice what did NOT happen here? Jesus did not chase him down and try a different way to get him to understand. Jesus let's people make their own decisions. Shouldn't we?
The final portion of this article is to help you see the education of Christians in schools and universities. Without naming actual colleges and universities, there are so many that are as far left as one can go. Of course, I am referring to "Christian" colleges and universities. Training our young folks to err from the faith is not wise by any stretch.
Matthew 18:6, "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
With many verses telling us to not teach wrong to our fellow man, why do we do it? Giving the benefit of the doubt; ignorance comes to mind. It may be one of the biggest diseases within the church throughout history; ignorance. The good news is it is curable. I doubt anyone would want a mill stone tied about their neck and be thrown into the sea; just sayin'. Again, if you are going to teach things that are contradictory to the Bible, just take the name "Christian" off of it. Then teach whatever you like.
In this world, the real challenge is getting people to actually see the Truth so that they can make their own decisions. When we put "Christian" in front of it and parade it by them knowing it is not "Christian", they are not able to make an impartial decision. God help us.
I will end this article, and by extension the three part series, by another video. The song is by Petra and it is called, "Shakin' the House". Bible Pass created a video to go with it to give it a visual. Judgement will start in the "house of God". Come back to Him if you are a Christian and come to Him if you are not. There isn't much time.
2 Corinthians 6:2, "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
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