Today was one of those days where I should not have clicked on certain blogs. I get so frustrated sometimes with the growing trend of angsty young bloggers spewing liberal theology and agenda skewed, faulty hermeneutics claiming to speak for an entire generation of believers. In the name of Google Analytics numbers and dollars signs they erect straw men and toss grenades into the twittersphere that explode onto the minds of the impressionable, the worldy, or the bitter. Their books make a mockery of the biblical framework and family values of the mainstream evangelical body of believers, but do little to point the reader toward the saving Grace of Jesus.
I challenge, with everything in me, one of these mud-slingers on the Bride of Christ to show me how their criticism is helping anything but their bank account or Klout score. Instead, I'd rather focus on the brothers and sisters who are working from within the body to keep us grounded in grace and love for each other and our world. Yes, we need to focus. Yes, we need to do better at extending this love and grace to those less fortunate, those of all races, and those whose sins and struggles may look different than ours but are not more of an abomination to our Holy God. Yes, we need to point the finger demanding sexual purity right back at our own divorcing, fornicating, adulterating selves. Yes, we need to be authentic. Yes, we need to rebuke, from within, those who beat the drum of legalism and spout unbiblical, ungodly paradigms ...but my point is, it's from WITHIN.
The church these folks are throwing rocks at is people. It's people like me and you, churches like mine and yours. And, as humbly as I can, I would ask them to look closer. If they did they would see men and women loving, serving, sacrificing financially, going and sending. They'd see them washing the feet of prisoners, digging wells in Africa, building orphanages in Guatemala, adopting foster kids, serving meals at shelters, cleaning up schools, sponsoring classrooms, rebuilding homes in disaster areas, rescuing trafficked girls, rehabbing addicts, providing free dental care and mammograms, reaching out to other races, and welcoming all who struggle with sexual sin of any kind to the throne of grace. They'd see authentic God-centered worship, sound doctrine being taught, and biblical community happening. They'd see our blood, sweat, and tears. They'd see us poured out and emptied for the sake of the good news of salvation for all mankind. Not haters. Not folks who are backward, ignorant, arrogant, show-offs, sexist,biggoted, manipulative or rude. Just sinners who found Hope and want to shine the Light.
So... If you plan to sling mud on the Bride of Christ, and air our dirty laundry out in the world for your own fame, you'd better be ready for her Groom to defend her. She's not perfect. Her dress may be smudged, her face dirty at times, but she is His. She will endure. She will be on the side of her returning King. Be sure you're fighting for the right side on that day.
So let me end this post with some more positives. I'm bragging on the church I serve. We are in the middle of a series called "Pillars", a teaching series by our pastor Dr. Bruce Frank on the non-negotiables of our faith. We also have many ways we are seeking to serve our world and our local community through our "Love Loud" projects of hands on ministry outside the walls of our church.
I hope you have a church where you can pour out your soul in worship and have it filled back up with sound teaching and encouragement. I pray you are seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I pray you are able to spot impure motives and selfish narcissistic agendas when you see them. I pray you will humbly work to make Christ known. I also pray you will defend Jesus' bride even as you call her out on her complacency, and work to make her ready for the King's return. Our time is growing short and the fields are riper than ever for a harvest.
Oh yes, friends. Jesus is the Cornerstone. And upon this Rock, God will build His kingdom. It will stand forever and the gates of Hell itself will not prevail against it! Here's a video look, below, of what we at Biltmore Baptist Church are all about: Reaching up, Reaching in, and Reaching out! If you don't have a church home, find one that is doing these three things. We have a lot to do! Show us Your Glory. Lord!
Biltmore Passion from Biltmore Baptist Church on Vimeo.
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:15-19
Yes...so true! Easy to get distracted and angered by nay-sayers and negative-nellys! But, I'm praying for our awesome church and staff...we LOVE what's going on there & are so blessed!! :~)
Posted by: Rca122 | 07/30/2013 at 07:31 AM