What Do We Do With This Love Now?
In an article from Christianity Today (Sept 2017) the number of Christian churches in America , according to a 2012 study, was around 384,000, with a 95% accuracy rate. The study revealed, on average, 30,000 churches close their doors in America annually. That’s slightly less than 10% of all churches shut down every year. Why? I believe the accurate question here is, why are there so many churches? What if we operated based on supply and demand? Let’s fill one up before starting another across the road! Yet, we cannot get past basic doctrinal disagreements in order to grow the Kingdom of God. While this is sad, it should not come as a surprise, as it has been an age long issue. How can we ever mature as believers in Christ, come to see His magnificent power in the world around us, and in our lives, if we can’t get past the lesson of repentance?
We’ve been stuck on the basics for too long! It is time to grow up as Believers! What can we do with the love of God in our hearts? We can first realize He has called us to a higher calling, not to be merely attenders of Church, but to be an active part of the Body of Christ, actively loving and living and reaching others with His love. What can we do with this love? We must unite as the Body of Christ. If we are ever going to see America great again, it begins with prayer, repentance, unity, and growth in the Word. There are a lot of churches today that sound more like an episode of Oprah, life change, life coach, self-support, self this and self that. I’m all about some improvement folks, but the greatest thing we can do is point others to the Cross of Jesus Christ! When our messages fail to do that, it’s time to shut the doors! Stop being stuck on the basic teachings and let’s grow!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the wisdom and hunger to grow in the teachings of Your Word. Stir in my heart a hunger for Your Word like I have never had before. Sustain my feet as I pursue You, the Lover of my soul. -Amen
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds[a] and placing our faith in God. 2 You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT
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