Internet directed me towards some sermons and blog posts. Many of those articles confirmed my beliefs. However, one of the videos troubled my heart. A pastor from a well-known church in North Carolina, USA, was preaching about how our current circumstances are not the whole story.
He used the example of Joseph. The pastor said that if he read about the prison experience, he would not see the whole picture of greatness. Joseph did end up saving many people from famine, including his entire family. The audience became excited. People felt that the message was good.
Bible does have examples where the Lord put someone in a great position such as Joseph, Ruth, David, Ester, and Mordecai. All these people had an important mission to save Israel from destruction. None of them tried to get there where the Lord placed them.
It's impossible for everybody to be a well-known believer and save the entire nation. For one Ester there were many who didn't get chosen? How many men missed their sisters, daughters and other female relatives; and yet we only hear about Mordecai. After Ester saved her people from annihilation, we don't hear much about her or Mordecai. I am wondering if Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, went to Israel with her and Ruth, would she become the wife of Boaz. Perhaps, he would have married both: Ruth and Orpah. Lord chose Joseph and yet Jesus Christ came through the line of Judah. If everyone will attain a great position with the main duty to save people, there will be nobody to save.
In North America, there is cultural Christianity. You can come across various TV shows, movies, songs, books, articles, and social media that labeled themselves as Christian. Unfortunately, many of those people do not present the real Christianity. In some cases when they do present it, Christianity becomes so diluted that it loses its true flavor. Many Christians promote their actions while not sharing the true meaning of Christianity. Our works should be a part of our faith.
He used the example of Joseph. The pastor said that if he read about the prison experience, he would not see the whole picture of greatness. Joseph did end up saving many people from famine, including his entire family. The audience became excited. People felt that the message was good.
Bible does have examples where the Lord put someone in a great position such as Joseph, Ruth, David, Ester, and Mordecai. All these people had an important mission to save Israel from destruction. None of them tried to get there where the Lord placed them.
It's impossible for everybody to be a well-known believer and save the entire nation. For one Ester there were many who didn't get chosen? How many men missed their sisters, daughters and other female relatives; and yet we only hear about Mordecai. After Ester saved her people from annihilation, we don't hear much about her or Mordecai. I am wondering if Orpah, Naomi's other daughter-in-law, went to Israel with her and Ruth, would she become the wife of Boaz. Perhaps, he would have married both: Ruth and Orpah. Lord chose Joseph and yet Jesus Christ came through the line of Judah. If everyone will attain a great position with the main duty to save people, there will be nobody to save.
In North America, there is cultural Christianity. You can come across various TV shows, movies, songs, books, articles, and social media that labeled themselves as Christian. Unfortunately, many of those people do not present the real Christianity. In some cases when they do present it, Christianity becomes so diluted that it loses its true flavor. Many Christians promote their actions while not sharing the true meaning of Christianity. Our works should be a part of our faith.
Spiritual Infants
Any social media will give you many slides of the Bible verses that will make you feel good. May of those verses are Spiritual milk. Milk is good for the children, but adults cannot live on milk alone. As we get more mature in our Christian faith we need to handle more serious Bible verses. We need to build up our discernment and spiritual strength.
Satan loves for us to remain in spiritual childhood because children often fall and they will not able to make good soldiers/warriors. Often, children need help. When little children are without adults supervision things will escalate quickly. When there are not enough adults to supervise children, things get out of order.
Imagine the church filled with Spiritual children and a few spiritual adults. I have seen churches like that. Most of the congregation focuses on their needs more than on the Lord and Bible. The voices of spiritual adults drowned in the screams of the children. This church turns into a nursery. Children cannot help when they need help themselves.
God's Will
The Lord's will may not be a nice life on earth. Many early Christians faced horrific trials. Yet their faith testimonies changed the lives of multitudes. Do we resist God's call because it doesn't align with our plans? Do we love the Lord? Do we truly love our God? If we want to know the Lord's will for our lives, we need to seek the wisdom."If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5
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I guess that many churches are turning into nurcery for spiritual infants nowadays.Same also in Japan.We often require protection inside church instead of becoming solidiers of Christ going out for spiritual battle.Here lack of male pastors is so serious,many churches were closed after their pastors died,got sickness,retired.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that God's will for us may not be nice life on the earth.May our faith He has given be never lost,even when we are in severe trials.God be with you,Irina.Thanks for sharing.
Sanae
Sanae, thank you so much for your comment. I am praying for Japan.
DeleteIrina