I usually make it a point to not comment on or get into debates about “religion”, I know from experience that there are very few people who are capable of having this discussion w/out immediately jumping to the defense, and or attacking the other party for their beliefs. What I also recognize is that alot of people whether they are for or against “Christianity” or “The Church” as a whole, confuse being religious w/having a relationship w/God and that is where the disconnect is.
Religion is a man made entity. Religion is based on humans trying to “get God” through ordinances, rules and works. Religion is based on mans attempt at reaching or “getting right” with God through our own deeds and abilities. None of this cultivates the relationship that is so important for us to have in order to truly know God and understand:
- His purpose in creating us
- Allowing us to be born into the families we were born into
- Allowing us to endure the tests and trials that He allowed us to face
- Ultimately being trusting of and faithful enough in Him to lay down our flesh and allow His spirit to move on our behalf.
I grew up “in church” if I learned nothing else about “church people” I learned that they are all human INCLUDING the Pastor and the officials. I’ve seen my own Pastors battle w/their demons right in front of the congregation, be it intentional or inadvertent, and most of the time it was being done subconsciously. I realize that most people who reject church (and I said MOST NOT ALL) do so because of a very real hurt or disappointment that they have experienced.
There was a point in time where I turned away from the church because of the things that I saw being done by the people that God supposedly chose to lead His sheep. I spent many years not being taught, not being fed, and not being in fellowship with the very people that God wanted to use to draw me closer and vice versa. Ultimately I returned because LIFE became too much for me to handle on my own. I walked away thinking “I don’t need church to know God. I can do this on my own.” As stubborn as I was and as far away as I felt eventually I dragged my tail right back to where HE told me I needed to be. I wasn’t there for Pastor so and so, or this Deacon, or that Usher. I was there to be obedient and to go in expectation that God had something for me. I went seeking Him and I got that and so much more.
The Pastor of the church that I was a member of up until May of 2009, was accused of sexually molesting a young boy from the age of 12 to the age of 18 when he finally told a guidance counselor at his school, who then reported it. The police got involved and there was enough evidence for this man to be arrested and charged w/this crime. I found this horrifying thing out one morning as I was getting dressed for work, and his name came flying out of the reporters mouth, I looked up and there was his mug shot plastered across the screen. MY PASTOR who on many an occasion has been left unsupervised w/my own son who at the time was only 12-13yrs old. MY PASTOR who has ministered to me and given me a message that was tailored just for me from God. I was completely devastated by that as were most of the congregation at my church. Lets face it no one wants to feel like they’ve been lied to, or taken advantage of and where children are concerned, hurting a child is inexcusable by HUMAN standards. My Pastor ended up committing suicide because of his indiscretions and I have to assume immeasurable guilt.
Dealing with that taught me that regardless of what Paul told Timothy about the “overseers and deacons being above reproach” when we are walking in our destiny and being obedient to God, and we make the choice to stop depending on Him, waiting on Him, trusting in Him, and listening to Him HE WILL DEAL WITH US ACCORDINGLY. When we make a conscious effort to instead of praying and seeking God for the strength to resist our temptations and the traps that the, enemy sets, instead we give into them HE WILL DEAL WITH US ACCORDINGLY. If God has elevated you and given you charge over even just one person, and you allow your fleshly desires to take precedence over being obedient, and responsible you will be dealt with. THAT very thing is what Bishop Eddie Long is facing right now. Its that very thing that Prophetess Juanita Bynum also experienced.
God continues to bless us according to our faith. Out of strong faith comes complete obedience because we trust that He will do exactly what He said he will do. God does not ever fail us WE fail Him when we believe and act in such away that says we don’t need Him and we can handle it on our own. The only thing that I have personally been able to do w/out God, acting on my own is fail, and make a complete and total mess of my life. BUT GOD!!!!
2Corinthians 12:19 says “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” God uses the least of us, the most misfitted person to do great things. Moses was a stuttering man, he told God I cannot speak eloquently yet you want ME to go tell Pharaoh to let all of these people go. He was operating out of his flesh. God knew exactly what he was doing, He knew that in using some one like Moses who did not speak well at all, who was not great in stature, and seemed highly unqualified ONLY GOD would get the Glory. We all have a purpose in this life each and every one of us was made for a specific reason, given gifts that will help us carry out that reason, and allowed to go thru some things that will strengthen us to understand what some one else may be dealing with. God will get his way EVEN if He has to break you in front of every body. People like my ex Pastor, and Biship Eddie Long are in desperate need of Prayer, not condemnation but PRAYER.
Were they both wrong? HELL YES!!!! I do not condone the selfish choices that they made which turned into years full of a bad disgusting habit. But at the end of the day, GOD WILL DEAL w/them (and me) accordingly. He is God all by himself.
No comments:
Post a Comment