When truth comes from several sources.
Scripture reading: John 10:1-11. Text: “‘You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart,'” Jeremiah 29:13, and: “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. ‘”Amos 8:11, and: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.'” Isaiah 55:8-11.
Not long ago two interesting articles were published. One in a newspaper and from it we learned that the largest Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, lost so many members during 2014 although they are prevalent in the so called “Bible belt;” and other article appeared in a church related magazine dealing with: “Top reasons why people choose a church.” This was their finding: “pastor/preaching 90% – doctrines/church teaching 88% – friendliness of members 49% – someone witnessed to me 41% – family member attends 38% – and sensed God’s presence 37%.” We do not argue with these statistics; only wish to express our humble opinion about these issues; the declining membership in the congregations and how to receive back the unchurched millions. The problems are complicated and so are the solutions.
BESIDES WHAT ARE MENTIONED ABOVE, WE FEEL WE SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON THESE ISSUES ALSO:
From the very beginning it was clear that the worldly life and the Christian life are not in harmony, as Apostle James wrote it: “Unfaithful creatures! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.'” James 4:4. The power struggle between the “WORLD” and the “CHURCH” is constantly shifting, but in which direction and in whose favor? Are not we becoming more and more liberal, that is permissive?
For us not the “church-connected” life is the most important but the “Christ-centered” one. It is wonderful if the believers belong to a congregation, but the very first question is: Are we the children of God through Christ’s redemption? We know, there are problems, but we have to accept the fact or carry this cross, that even the born-again Christians will argue and disagree and denominations interpret the Bible in different ways. Do not expect total and pure harmony in the church, it exists nowhere.
What should change our minds and bring us back to church is a three steps enlarging circle which directly or indirectly should be an existential question for all of us and these questions have been presented and heard before.
Regardless how peaceful our beloved relative or good friend looks in the coffin, for us as Christians, the question is, where will he or she spend the eternity, and when the times comes where will I go? Then the world becomes totally immaterial and the spiritual life will be the major question. Please see Matthew 10:28 and Luke 12:5.
In order to strengthen the family life we should “reinterpret” (take more seriously) such Christian virtues as love, faithfulness, trust, perseverance, and sacrifice. Should one enjoy life at the expense of the suffering of others? Children need their parents (father and mother) and the old folks need their caring children.
This is not so visible and obvious but immorality is taking over many aspects of our life and corruption at the end could create a financial disaster or even worse a social unrest. When anger and retaliation will get out of hand, it will be very hard to restore order. We do not pay too much attention to those countries where the drug lords have the upper hand and a belligerent and ruthless minority created a civil war. When a national disaster will shake up the whole country, we will fall on our knees and turn to God. This happened in Europe. Is not it great that we live in peace and safety now?
Jesus told this parable about a rich man’s philosophy who was so proud and sure of himself: “‘And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.'” Luke 12:19-21