Thoughts: the Church is supposed to represent Christ to the world. We are to be ambassadors of His love, hope, and grace. But instead we fail miserably. We go our own selfish way, get wrapped up in over-indulgence, greed, fear, worry, lack of faith and courage, and simple apathy to what is so very important.
We get caught up in formality, stuck in rut and rote, legalism and even breaking our own rules with our own sin. It thus appears to the world that what we believe has nothing to do with human spirituality, or the deep truths of life.
The one weapon that Christ has given us- love- we keep in a box.
So many leave the church because they do not feel the church loves them. Maybe some of it is that they did not make themselves vulnerable to love the church. To love we must seek to love. Yet it is true the church does not love others as they should. Human prejudice, human pride, human apathy and selfishness get in the way. In heaven we will love purely. Here we do not love as we are loved by God.
So many leave because the church has not only not loved them but she has hurt them. Neglect, abuse, or rudeness may scare others away.
Twice different visitors came to church and complained to me how cold and unfriendly the church was. I asked them to please come back and try the other side. Both times the visitors came back reporting that the church was indeed friendly and both joined. The church will fail because we are not in heaven yet- so our humanity reigns over our god-like qualities. But if the church has failed you- do not give up in a huff. Your salvation may depend upon your trying again and again. Your ability to forgive the church may also reflect God's ability to forgive you.
Prayer: Forgive us, Lord as we forgive others. We fail. Help us to walk in your ways.
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