Thechurchthatwon'tforgive...
Will cause people to hide their weakness.
Years ago I was with a church that criticized the sick, the ailing and even the dead. Sister Frail was given funny looks by other church members if she wasn’t at Sunday church, but was at the grocery store on Tuesday. Brother Terminally Ill was indicted for making himself diseased. And yes, the deceased were blamed for their own death or at least the circumstances that led to it.
When I faced my own inner turmoil, I did it alone by my choice. I couldn’t imagine letting those hurtful people see my heart when I was already vulnerable and weak.
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Gal. 6:2
Will force people into the dark with their sin.
We hide because of shame. We hide because of guilt. We hide because, ever since Eden, that’s just what we do. The last thing we want to hear when we are hiding is:
- You should know better
- What were you thinking
- You are the last person…
Just as God drew Adam and Eve out of hiding, so must his church.
If another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. Gal. 6:1
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results… My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. James 5:16, 19-20
Will repel broken, unsaved people.
Christians are so:
- judgmental
- hypocritical
- fake
Rather let them say, Christians are so:
- Amazing
- Accepting
- Merciful
- Welcoming
“This church and the people here are amazing, so accepting, they brought me back to God.” -single grandmother raising her granddaughter
“All I can say is God is good. The love that the Brothers and sisters have at that church is amazing I’m lost for words. I have to say thank you God.” -37 year-old addict and convicted felon
“An amazing church full of Gods love an mercy !!! Felt connected an welcome!” -woman struggling in her marriage, searching for God.
“Great spiritual church! And the congregation is so welcoming and friendly. I’ve truly enjoyed my visits with The Church in Chillicothe. You leave the church spirituality blessed.” -visitor
These are actual testimonies that I copied off of my church’s Facebook page. They rock at this!
Will die.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Col. 3:13
To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Rev. 3:1
