I Wonder?

Sometimes when I am meditating or reflecting on God, I begin to wonder about some things and ask some what if's. You know, like what if Jesus had come today, instead of the 2000 years ago. And I find myself really dwelling on the state of The Church today. Not my church, or your church, but The Church. The one that Jesus prayed for His that last night before the crucifixion. The followers He prayed would be one, like He was One with the Father.

but really, what would He say to us today, if He just dropped by to visit?

I wonder what He would tell the Pharisees of our day? Lord the church is full of them. Legalism and pride have decimated the congregation.

I wonder what He would think about all the racism and hate still going on in the world 2000 years after He showed the way of Peace and Love, and Kindness. About the prejudices' and hatefulness from the pews of His Church? I wonder?

I wonder what it is like to spend your first Christmas in Heaven. I wonder if the Angels would mind letting us hear the story from their point of view.

I know, just sentimental thoughts of a young fool, but I am misty eyed thinking about it. And all of the ones I loved so much that have went on to be with Jesus. I am reminded of Whintly Phipps reciting "Go Down Death" and feel sorry for those that would not listen to it because of his skin color.

I wonder how often the angels in heaven gasp at the actions of men, and then gasp again at the Glory of God? I wonder why the ears of men have grown dull and their hearts hardened? And that's just the ones that claim Christ. I also wonder about the ones who have no chance because someone was too shy to share a man called Hope with them? Or about the abused child who languishes because we are "minding our own business".

Its ironic, that we will mind our own business about a child or woman undergoing abuse, but will light the ears of anyone who would listen about a Christian Brother or Sister. Gossip about their clothes, their tithes, or about how they have backslidden because they miss a Sunday at Church. I wonder what Jesus thinks about that?

I wonder why more churches are not feeding the hungry, taking care of orphans and widows, healing the sick, and visiting the prisoner? I wonder why we turn a blind eye to all of the violence and hatred in our world, then rain judgment down upon a Christian brother or sister?

I wonder why sinners believe me when I tell them what God has called me to do, but Christians do not. I wonder why the miracles in our Churches are not brought up when we are evangelizing. I wonder if the Church is even evangelizing at all?

Don't you all ever wonder these things? Take a moment and be silent. Listen. And then wonder. And ask yourself, have I been faithful to my calling? Have I followed Jesus. I mean really followed- that means in loving others, showing kindness to those we wouldn't be caught dead socializing with before our Change.

Following Jesus is so much more than just claiming Him. So much more. And I wonder, am I following Him? Can I humble myself low enough to see, in this age of Me and I?

Are we really following Christ? I mean, really following Him? Jesus said that the world would know His followers by their love for one another. Do people recognize you by your love and kindness toward others?

Are you aware that other people are watching you? In a survey of preachers and workers done by Charisma magazine, did you know that the #1 excuse for people not attending a church was because of the behavior of other Christians?

Out of 1000 people who say they have been saved but do not attend Church, 80% said they no longer attend because they had been hurt by other Church goers. Going deeper, it was the legalists in church that did the most harm.

Pharisees and Legalist's are ever present today. They consider themselves the perfect Christian. You know them, not by their love for other people, but by their "holier than thou" attitudes. These are the ones constantly bragging about how often they pray, how long they pray, where they pray, the money they give, how often they read the Bible, how much they read of the Bible etc. When praying out loud, they try to be the loudest.

And they are the first ones to judge, criticize, point fingers, gossip, and hurt other people.

They put on Christ and take Him off like a jacket, whenever it is convenient to them. They wear a form of Godliness on the outside, but their inside is filthy. Everything Jesus said to the Pharisees in the Gospels apply to them today.

We are to follow Jesus, and to do what He did. Do you know how many sinners Jesus judged or condemned while He was here on Earth? Not one. Not a single one.

do you know who He DID criticize and who's behavior He did condemn? The "church-goers" of His time, the scribes and Pharisees.

So much for being sentimental, huh? But really, have you been hurt in Church? Well I have, and quiet recently. And I am a preacher! I had some awful and hateful things said about me, but you know what? I am still here! I am still standing, and am still doing what God called me to do.

So I wonder, how to address this cancer in our Churches and congregation? I will tell you how.

Love more. Be kind. Have faith. Know that they did the same thing to Christ. He was not welcome in the "religious" establishments of His day, and He would probably not be welcome in a lot of our organizations here. And for that reason, He has already left quiet a few of them.

But be of good cheer! Do not judge all churches like the one that hurt you. Their are true Churches out there doing what God called His Church to do. And there are Christians who love deeply any one, regardless of who they are. And you will know them when you see them. How?

By their Love and Kindness, of Course!