I'm being facetious. I am annoyed and perturbed that a sacred day has become a spectacle.
The big picture is clear: The world is waiting for the Church to step up. Not in affairs of the State or the Government but as representatives of the character of the Father in the earth. Lifestyle. Conduct. Character. Prayer Life. Speech. Relationship. Integrity. Holiness. These simply relegated to catchphrases nowadays. Somewhere "we" got sidetracked. All "we" care about is appearances. And that's exactly what doesn't matter. Whether you wear a silk suit or a burlap sack, God's eyes are not on your fashion choices. Every Sunday, we may dress for success but what are we striving to be successful at?
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (I Samuel 16:7 KJV)
What's the state of affairs in the Church? Religious leaders support political candidates and stand up publicly as advisors because it enhances their professional portfolios and benefits them personally and perhaps, financially. Preachers and ministers calling themselves to the office, decreeing things to be good when the Word of God says they're evil, having direct knowledge of a leader's sin but rather than correcting and restoring them, they advise them to shake it off and get back to work. (True story) Its "leaders" have zero prayer life and they love the praise and adoration that comes with the position. More volunteers than you count but few that possess a servant’s heart. Fasting is what their personal trainers recommend so they can get into their bikinis for the summer, not the biblical kind we talk about. They disrobe and expose themselves at the height of a worship service, or physically strike fellow parishioners that they don't like and blame it on being under the influence of the Holy Spirit. But at least they look good....
Do you believe in accountability in your church leadership? How many visions do you have in your church at current? Is there a hierarchy or a code of conduct in your ministry? Have the aesthetics, the audio-visuals, color scheme, smoke, and the mood lighting more important than the invitation of the Spirit of God and the Word of God presented with an anointing that compels people to come to Christ? Slowly and subtly, souls are barreling down a path of destruction and sadly, very few seem to notice or care. And much of the responsibility falls in the lap of the church.
But the church I was referring to prior only cares about appearances, how the organization looks, how the people within it looks, how big the church and its campuses are, how attractive the sign or marquee is, and how much monetary giving is taken up every week. There is a Church that differs though. This Church isn't relegated to a building with a roof and a mortgage. This Church can't be bought. This Church doesn't vote out ministers who don't preach favorable, happy-feeling messages that don't challenge anyone spiritually but does increase giving. This Church doesn't blackball, prostitute, blackmail, bribe, and collude, understanding it would bring shame to the legacy of the Church and even endanger spiritual lives. This Church is about the Father's Business and not big business.
There are a people worldwide that still believe and know the Church is still being assembled in expectation of the Master's return. (John 11:52) To them, it is as serious as life and death and it is their purpose for being here. He's coming back for HIS Church. I'm 99.9999999999999% positive that He's not referring to YOUR church. The mirror might say you look fine but what does God say? (Colossians 3:12-14)
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14)
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