Idealistic? or Jesus' Standard!

10/10/2007

I have chosen to no longer attend the “standard” church due to my disillusionment with the way most mainline protestant denominations represent Christianity. The only support I have at this time is a friend who happens to be an athiest (isn’t that ironic). My greatest fear is that over time I might abandon the faith if I have no fellowship and encouragement from other believers face to face and will buckle under the pressure to conform by those who do not understand my “obsession” with Jesus Christ. If you have any words of wisdom as to how to be strong against the judgment of family and friends while feeling completely alone I would really appreciate it…

Hi again….. Oh yes, it’s obvious that many will try, unsuccessfully, to protect, hide, or deny the great evils in the man-made unBiblical “factory system” (“attendance-based” clergy system, mostly devoid of 1Cor.12 relational LIFE, but certainly with some good and Saved people as part of the larger mess of knowing compromise and rebellion, such as what you have mentioned). Why would they do that? WHY would anyone want to hide or pretend or lie or rationalize Laodicea? Well, the “builders” (1Peter2) reject Truth because of pride, power, and paycheck. Others may reject Truth or put their fingers in their ears and say “La-la-la-la” 1) out of fear of clergymen, relatives, and others, or 2) insecurity about “what alternative is there anyway?” or 3) an addiction to sentiment, or 4) a guilty conscience of their own (that immobilizes them), or 5) they are still too young and naive to actually believe the evils are real, 6) or 7) or or. But, you are Right in your assessment of how wrong it is, and how no one has the right to contradict what JESUS wants with His church, with the “child psychology” of “you are being idealistic” nonsense. The BIBLE says what it says, and NO MAN has the right to contradict Jesus and the Scriptures! No one. Stand your Ground -- the BIBLE is our Standard, not excuses and child psychology. STAY soft -- which is the only way to be “part of the Solution, rather than part of the problem.”

ALSO, as you mentioned, it’s not uncommon that an “atheist” or someone disinterested in “religion” would be amongst those with the freshest perspective, at times. It was so in Jesus’ days here, as well as Saul/Paul’s experience in many places. Funny thing is, “atheists” and “un-religious” actually often care MORE about the REAL Jesus when they hear of HIM, BECAUSE of things like you’ve mentioned that are “brushed under the rug” (instead of addressed and dealt with in His Truth, in courage, in His Blood, in Love -- at the early stages at the religious facility. (We’ll call it that since it’s not a church, obviously. Lampstand) It is true that many HONEST people don’t want anything to do with religion “If that’s what a church is and that’s all that Jesus means to people.” So, “the Good News of the Kingdom” -- to the non-religious, the “tax collectors and prostitutes” (along with some Jews repenting and bowing knee to Messiah Yeshua) may be the majority of the Harvest in the days to come -- rather than the religious. Fun stuff, actually. AND, it sounds familiar, Biblically, doesn’t it?

By the way, you have NO REASON TO FEAR A THING. You are deeply Kept in the palm of *His* hand, washed in His Blood and carried in His Spirit, if you look continually and intentionally to the Author and Perfecter for all things. :) No fears, no worries. We all need Him and “are no better” -- “chief of sinners” “least of the Saints” but (1Cor.15:10) are MOTIVATED to scorch earth in Love, to do His Will regardless of cost. The trials are just Opportunity to serve Him in “a wicked and adulterous generation.” Spend yourself for Jesus, guided by the SCRIPTURES not the “lukewarm” religions of our day that excuse sin and compromise. Jesus said clearly how HE feels about religions like that (Rev.3:16:22) and “everyone” who has HIS Spirit will feel the same way about compromise (1John 2:1-6) as HE does! Hallelujah!

Carry on. Love much those in your home and around you, and keep the Faith firm, come what may. It’s called “Christianity.” :)

In the King of all Kings, the Protector and High Priest of YOUR Faith,