In my efforts to show myself approved through Bible study and “higher education,” my study of the scriptures revealed to me that the way we “do church” these days is directly opposed to the Word of God.
- Man is elevated above the Word
- Money is the emphasis of 90% of preaching (not the saving grace of the blood of Jesus)
- We (I surely include myself) are hypocritical in our walk with God
- Most people equate a weekly visit to a building for “fellowship” with sanctification
- There is no true repentance
As an Associate Pastor, I tried hard to ignore what was revealed to me because of the years of tradition and time invested in church activities. I asked myself, if I could plainly see these things, what about those that were the “keeper of my soul?”
I prayed about this seeming contradiction in my life and I heard God ask me this question: “Why do you do what you do when you worship Me?” I tried to answer Him by citing scripture but I couldn’t justify my actions by His word. All of the years of activity was just that – activity – busy work – tradition – wood, hay & stubble to be burned when placed upon the alter of His Word.
I could no longer continue to fool myself.
God has called me out and given me a new mission: To be a voice in the wilderness calling people (like John and Jesus did and continues through scripture), to repent. Then once they come to the saving grace, they are to study and fulfill Christ’s command to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Mat 28:19-20, not sit as an observer week after week being talked at and thinking they have done their “duty” to God.
My intention is to enlighten as God opens His true purpose for His body of believers..
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1Co 1:18
So hang on to your seat; grab your Bible and follow me as I follow Christ in becoming all that He would have us to be.
[to be continued]
Rev. (Dr.) Franklin D. Coleman, D.D.
Path Of Life Ministries 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about purpose of existence.
Regards
I enjoyed this. I know the feeling of I have been fooling myself. I actually have been thinking about this over the past 24 hours. We really got to be real with ourselves. It seems no one wants to inspect themselves and see.
Brother Javier, Praise God! Thanks for the comment. Not many brethren take the time to chime in.
It is relatively easy for a person to inspect themselves. The trouble comes when we inspect ourselves in light of God’s Word.
When we look at what we’re doing; does it line up to the Word of God or is it traditions of men?
Sadly, 90% of today’s “Christianity” is centered in tradition.
My Pastor didn’t help. When I (dutifully) came to him with the questions God placed in my heart, he had no answers, “that’s the way we do things here” was the gist of his responses.
It took me over a year to embrace the freedom of true fellowship and was able to withstand the scorn of my pastor & “friends” when I left the institutional corporate church.
It wasn’t easy. The years of programming; the guilt of knowing I participated in spreading heresy and admittedly, the feeling of loneliness from not “doing church” anymore. But the past four years my wife & I have spent alone with God and fellow-shipping with other disciples of Christ can never be expressed in words. The only thing I can say (in my best Mel Gibson – Braveheart voice) is: FREEDOM!!!
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Like you I told God is would do his will no matter what. I made that promise 26 years ago.
God has called me to share our “Power Of Love Joy Of Forgiveness” plan with as many of God’s people as possible in celebration of National Forgiveness Day. During our 4th year of NFD, volunteers across the nation reached more than 500,000 people with our message of love and forgiveness. Please check us out. Please sign up as a friend. Please ask and answer questions. What is your greatest need?