Sorry it has been a while since my last post, busyness of life caught up with me. Though it has given me the opportunity to look at life and especially the Christian culture. I have had a chance to see the ugliness that is Narcissistic church culture. I believe we may be stumbling on a whole new denomination of cult worship. The problem is that people in this arena are blinded to the deception of their own lives. Let me explain.
People being made in the image of God are no longer seeing the image of God in the mirror. What they see is what they want to see. The are removing God from the equation of their spiritual lives in actions and walk but not in words. They claim to look for God's guidance but when faced with the inevitable calling to step out of their box they decide they know better than Him. Ha, that's a funny statement; us a finite being knowing more than Him an infinite being. Anyways! What I am seeing is the view that if God's direction doesn't fit in my life, satisfy my current want, lead my life to success in money, job, position, home, family then I am not sure I can do what God wants. Man is no longer trying to live up to being made in the image of God, but we are trying to make God into the image of man.
This mentality is anti-Christ. People are now in the worship of self and not God. This can be classified as a cult since it is loosely based on the religion of Christianity but perverts it to fit the need of the one's self. They take the truth and twist it to fit their lives so they don't have to change or be uncomfortable.
I know this problem isn't new but it is more wide spread and noticeable today. Everything from the hate gospel of Westboro Baptist Church to the health and wealth gospel of Joel Osteen. Jesus Christ left a everlasting word that did not need any changes or revisions. But we as man feel we know best. So why has it come to this; My Money, My Comfort, My Wants! Really it's all about me, me, me! We need to get serious and see that nothing is about us not even the death or resurrection. It is all about God and His Glory.
It's always about what God and the church can do for me. I love the attitude of Christians today, or should I say the audacity of Christians today! They talk about church as if it was a commodity that was there to provide them with what makes them feel good. They look for a church like they do a car. We are so consumer driven that God's Church has literally become a grocery store item.
"Hmmm. Ok well they have a pretty decent pastor who is not too loud. The building is really nice, could use a few more chairs in the lobby to sit in when I am waiting for my kids. The music is ok would like to see a little more of the hymn stuff but it's not too over the top. Really could use some coffee right now, I wonder why they don't have a coffee shop in here. That would be a good draw for those lost people. Speaking of that who is this smelly guy beside of me. Oh yeah! Women's ministry is strong but the men's is not doing good. That's ok my husband is not there too often because he has worked all week and he is really tired. And since it is his only day off he needs to relax watching the games and race. Oh wow great children's ministry and youth ministry is strong but I don't know about all those kids with the skateboards. Not the kind of influence I want on my teenager. Well not to worry he has ball practice on Wednesdays so he shouldn't have to much interaction. Well everything seems OK, I guess I could try it for a couple of Sundays. I just hope it is better than the last two churches I was at, I mean where do people get off telling me that my life is not about me. They really hurt me and I will never ever forgive them for not thanking me for all the hard work I did in the nursery. But this place well it looks like a place that really recognizes those who do good and work hard."
I know this seems silly and a bit exaggerated but in truth this is in the mindset of a lot of people today simply because they are not allowing God to lead them. They are choosing their steps in life and it is not what God is calling them to do.
The problem is people are looking for freedom in God but still remaining slaves to themselves and the world. If we are truly to be free we need to find it in being a slave to Christ. If it was all about us and not God's will, Jesus could have said in the Garden, "You know Father I don't think I can do this. It will hurt and I am not sure that I am comfortable with sacrificing for a people who will not really sacrifice for Me. I mean there are not going to give you the worship that this sacrifice so deserves. So I guess what I need is a way out. How about a little fog and a cloud to get me back home to You?"
It is time we wake up and see the truth. Live IN Christ and not in the world and yourself.
Love and Peace through the One who allows me to!!
