Thoughts for today...

Ok, so here's what you're going to learn about me pretty quick... I like to write. I tend to ramble on and on and sometimes don't know when to stop. Reading this blog is not for the faint of heart. So please, proceed with caution. That's your only warning. ;)

Alright so yesterday Randy and I heard something on the radio that really broke our hearts, and I'd really like to share my thoughts on the subject. It's about watered-down Christianity.
How's that for a light-hearted first blog post topic?

We overheard a lady call in to a popular Christian radio station called Way FM and her and the dj were having a conversation about people's views on Christianity. The lady began to share her views saying, "Some people are all about religion and this set of rules, but it's not about that, it's all about the relationship.... Who are we to tell people what is right and wrong?..."

WOAH. Wait a minute. So you're telling me people actually believe that? Unfortunately, I've seen many Christians having this mindset, and this was just the straw that broke the camel's back, if you will.

Anyway, at first glance, that might not look all that bad to you. But here's the deal: it's not ALL about a relationship. Yes, that's a huge part of it, but if you just had a relationship with your child and there were no rules, or boundaries, or discipline, what would your home look like? Yikes! I don't know about you, but that would not be somewhere I would want to be. This new way of thinking pretty much suggests that we burn the Old Testament, because who needs all those rules? As long as we have a good relationship, we're fine, right?

WRONG. We are a sinful people.. we as humans have a sinful nature. God knew this, so He established rules for us to live by. Just as parents we must set rules for our children, because we know that they are prone to disobedience.

I'm afraid that many Christians have been so scared of following a strict religion where there are just rules to follow and no relationship, that they swung clear to the other extreme where we forget the rules to follow, and only focus on the relationship.

Here's the deal people: there has to be a healthy balance. Again, take the parent to child example. The parent can't always be only focused on all of the rules, being a strict parent and expect to have a relationship with that child. BUT, in the same way, they can't only be focused on the relationship so much that they neglect to set boundaries and rules for that child. Both are needed to make a healthy parent and child connection, and both are needed to make a healthy God and child connection.

Now to address the second part of her statement: "Who are we to tell people what is right and wrong?" Again, YIKES. That is walking on thin ice. If you are a Christian and you see another brother or sister in Christ living in sin, it is your God-given responsibility to confront that person. Matthew 18:15 tells us this. If we do not confront that person, in a way, I believe that it is partly our fault that they continue to sin. If you disagree, that's fine, that's just my opinion. We need to confront that person and tell them that what they are doing is wrong, especially if you have a great relationship with that person.

I also believe that we as Christians have failed greatly to complete the great commission. We are SO on fire to bring our non-Christian friends to church (and rightly so), and then are ecstatic to see them accept Christ into their lives (and again, rightly so), but after that we almost kind of abandon them (spirtually, mainly) and allow them to believe what they want about Christianity instead of teaching them the right way.

Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." You see, we have forgotten the teaching part. We are commanded to baptize, then TEACH new Christians to obey Christ. We place all the responsibility on the church, but really, we need to take the responsibility for ourselves to teach our friends what it means to follow and obey Christ. The church can help, that's where we can fellowship with other believers, and learn more about Christ, but it's total purpose isn't to just teach new Christians about following Christ. We need to take that responsibility upon ourselves and not take it lightly!

Okay, okay. I think I've said all that I can.. that's just something that's been stewing around in my brain since yesterday and I was dying to get it all out. If you made it through all that, congratulations.. you have no life! Haha.. just kidding. But really, thanks if you did!

LGLP.