Did you know, that three out of five kids leave the Church by age 15. Did you know that one of the main reasons for this is the same as the reason many people never go to Church as adults. Legalism. Churches have a potential, and a tendency to fall into a certain pattern. First, Churches demand absolute obedience to the Church, and the Tenets of that Religion. They tend to demonize the outside world. Many Churches exclude any Science whatsoever, and rely totally on Faith and the Bible. This many seem logical. However, it also alienates people. Especially young people who are being taught in school, that Science is the is all and end all. No God needed. Churches become too Judgmental. Churches become unfriendly to anyone who questions or doubts whatever the Church may say.
Let's look at this a bit closer.
First, absolute obedience to the Church and or Tenets of said Religion or Denomination. We already discussed this in many ways. Jesus told the "Religious" folks at the time that they "made the commandment of God of none effect by {their} tradition." {Matthew 15} James tells us "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." {James 1:26-27}
Paul? "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." {Romans 1:22-25}
There is nothing wrong with being a good "Christian." Being a good "Catholic." "Jew." "Muslim." Whatever. There is nothing wrong with having faith in the Church. However, when you read Jesus is the "Way, Truth, and Life," and your Church or Religion does not teach you that Jesus is the "Door," then you are in the wrong Religion. If you read "Thou shalt not commit Idolatry" and walk into a Church and see people worshiping at the foot of statues and Praying to this and that Saint, you may want to rethink this. There is nothing wrong with obedience to a certain Church or Religion, as long as that Church and Religion is teaching you the Truth according to God. Not solely the Traditions of Men.
Second, Many Churches exclude any Science whatsoever, and rely totally on Faith and the Bible. The problem with this is simple. Science is NOT evil, nor is it even Anti-God. Mankind has attempted to make the two totally exclusive. They are not. Science explains why and how some things are. God created them. God created Science. Science can only answer so much. Eventually, Science does catch up to the Word of God. One such example? For years, the "Scientific Consensus" was the World was flat. The Word declares "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:" {Isaiah 40:22} As a matter of Fact, it was that very passage, and many others, that Christopher Columbus used to prove he would be successful, and not fall off the edge of the Earth.
It only took Science some 2000 years or so to catch up to what God already told us. There are many such examples. "Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas." {Psalm 8:8}Matthew Fontaine Maury began a search which led to the discovery of Ocean Currents. How about Creation? "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" {Gen. 1:1} In 1820 A.D. a man named Hubert Spencer gave the world five Scientific Principles by which we may study the unknown. They are "Time, Force, Energy, Space, and Matter." Now think about what The Word said again. "In the beginning {Time} God {Force} created {Energy} the heavens {Space} and the earth {Matter.}"
Then mankind attempts to use Science to prove God does not exist at all. OK. Then if nothing added to nothing is nothing, and nothing taken away from nothing is nothing, then explain where the first something came from. No one can. It is impossible. Why? Because they exclude the only possible answer. God. They violate their own Scientific Principles and the Scientific Method itself, to attempt to use Science in a way to justify their belief.
Point is, Science and God are not mutually exclusive. There is no enmity between them. Mankind has attempted to create enmity where there is none. So if someone loves Science, and I do, or has been taught their whole life that Science is the answer for all things, and you tell them Science is false and evil and you must only believe what we tell you without question, you are going to turn them off completely.
Churches become too Judgmental. Ever visit a new Church and get that look? You know the one I'm talking about. "Who is that?" "Look what they are wearing." "They could at least shave?" "Why are they here?" Are you the one giving the look? Remember what Peter told us "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." {Acts 10:34-35} Paul? "For there is no respect of persons with God." {Romans 2:11}
James 2:
Churches have a tendency to judge kids more severely. Their music, dress, language, hair, makeup, whatever. They do not take the time to get to know them as people. They tell them they are going to hell if they do not conform. Or, in some cases, Churches attempt to Hip Up the Message. To make the Bible "cool." Or they try various methods to "reach the Kids." This almost always fails. More on this next time.
Churches become unfriendly to anyone who questions or doubts whatever the Church may say. If a person, especially a youth, questions a tradition of Tenet of a Church, often they are greeted with anger, disgust, or simply dismissed as being too young to understand anything. "But the Bible says that there is but one mediator, between Man and God, and His name is Jesus. Why then do I have to go into a both and confess my Sins before some man, and Pray to this or that Saint, to make Penance?" "Get out." "But I'm truly asking..." "Your too young to understand. Simply put, if you do not want to follow our ways, find another Church." So many times, they simply leave.
Young people, and hurting people, are truly seeking answers and Truth. It doesn't take too many Sermons for them to realized that they can never be "good enough" to have God love them. That they are going to become condemned to Hell for just being who they are. Churches can, and sadly do, sometimes reinforce this belief, by not teaching the WHOLE and BIG picture. In some cases, and I have been in a Church that does this, they get so caught up on teaching Church History, Building Needs, The Pastor's Life, that they forget to teach, God.
Some get so into making The Word "Cool" for the Youth, that they forget to actually teach them what they need most. Jesus. They are to busy attempting to MAKE you Conform, that they forget to teach you, forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. They forget to teach our Kids, that God loves them so, that He came and died for them. "Wait, John 3:16?? Seriously. Come on. That is so over used. Everyone knows that. They don't care. We got to blow their minds. We got to move them." Knowing that God loved them so much, even while they were "Yet Sinners, Christ died for" them {Romans 5:8} is not moving? Knowing that Jesus compared God as unto Earthly Fathers does not effect them? "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" {Matthew 7:11}
You see, way too many Churches try to teach Legalism, and forget to teach God. They forget to teach, especially our youth, that God, wants to be their Father. Not that He wants us to be His Servants, yet rather, His Children.The problem a lot of our Churches have is they forget to raise up Saints. They simple post the Rules and Regulation and tell you to be good and follow them. Again, more on the raising of Kids for Christ next time. Just remember, when you were once a child yourself, you knew little more than to totally trust, and have Faith in, your Parents. This is the relationship that God wants to have with you now. Total trust. Total Faith. Total Love. No Fear, Doubt, or even in some cases, Thought. God said, it is so. But the only way you can have this relationship with God, is to become Adopted.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
There is nothing wrong with being a good "Christian." Being a good "Catholic." "Jew." "Muslim." Whatever. There is nothing wrong with having faith in the Church. However, when you read Jesus is the "Way, Truth, and Life," and your Church or Religion does not teach you that Jesus is the "Door," then you are in the wrong Religion. If you read "Thou shalt not commit Idolatry" and walk into a Church and see people worshiping at the foot of statues and Praying to this and that Saint, you may want to rethink this. There is nothing wrong with obedience to a certain Church or Religion, as long as that Church and Religion is teaching you the Truth according to God. Not solely the Traditions of Men.
Second, Many Churches exclude any Science whatsoever, and rely totally on Faith and the Bible. The problem with this is simple. Science is NOT evil, nor is it even Anti-God. Mankind has attempted to make the two totally exclusive. They are not. Science explains why and how some things are. God created them. God created Science. Science can only answer so much. Eventually, Science does catch up to the Word of God. One such example? For years, the "Scientific Consensus" was the World was flat. The Word declares "It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:" {Isaiah 40:22} As a matter of Fact, it was that very passage, and many others, that Christopher Columbus used to prove he would be successful, and not fall off the edge of the Earth.
It only took Science some 2000 years or so to catch up to what God already told us. There are many such examples. "Whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas." {Psalm 8:8}Matthew Fontaine Maury began a search which led to the discovery of Ocean Currents. How about Creation? "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" {Gen. 1:1} In 1820 A.D. a man named Hubert Spencer gave the world five Scientific Principles by which we may study the unknown. They are "Time, Force, Energy, Space, and Matter." Now think about what The Word said again. "In the beginning {Time} God {Force} created {Energy} the heavens {Space} and the earth {Matter.}"
Then mankind attempts to use Science to prove God does not exist at all. OK. Then if nothing added to nothing is nothing, and nothing taken away from nothing is nothing, then explain where the first something came from. No one can. It is impossible. Why? Because they exclude the only possible answer. God. They violate their own Scientific Principles and the Scientific Method itself, to attempt to use Science in a way to justify their belief.
Point is, Science and God are not mutually exclusive. There is no enmity between them. Mankind has attempted to create enmity where there is none. So if someone loves Science, and I do, or has been taught their whole life that Science is the answer for all things, and you tell them Science is false and evil and you must only believe what we tell you without question, you are going to turn them off completely.
Churches become too Judgmental. Ever visit a new Church and get that look? You know the one I'm talking about. "Who is that?" "Look what they are wearing." "They could at least shave?" "Why are they here?" Are you the one giving the look? Remember what Peter told us "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." {Acts 10:34-35} Paul? "For there is no respect of persons with God." {Romans 2:11}
James 2:
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.Jesus Himself told us "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." {Matthew 7:1-2} Think about this the next time you deem someone unworthy of being in your Church, or unworthy of hearing the Gospel. Remember, "what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Churches have a tendency to judge kids more severely. Their music, dress, language, hair, makeup, whatever. They do not take the time to get to know them as people. They tell them they are going to hell if they do not conform. Or, in some cases, Churches attempt to Hip Up the Message. To make the Bible "cool." Or they try various methods to "reach the Kids." This almost always fails. More on this next time.
Churches become unfriendly to anyone who questions or doubts whatever the Church may say. If a person, especially a youth, questions a tradition of Tenet of a Church, often they are greeted with anger, disgust, or simply dismissed as being too young to understand anything. "But the Bible says that there is but one mediator, between Man and God, and His name is Jesus. Why then do I have to go into a both and confess my Sins before some man, and Pray to this or that Saint, to make Penance?" "Get out." "But I'm truly asking..." "Your too young to understand. Simply put, if you do not want to follow our ways, find another Church." So many times, they simply leave.
Young people, and hurting people, are truly seeking answers and Truth. It doesn't take too many Sermons for them to realized that they can never be "good enough" to have God love them. That they are going to become condemned to Hell for just being who they are. Churches can, and sadly do, sometimes reinforce this belief, by not teaching the WHOLE and BIG picture. In some cases, and I have been in a Church that does this, they get so caught up on teaching Church History, Building Needs, The Pastor's Life, that they forget to teach, God.
Some get so into making The Word "Cool" for the Youth, that they forget to actually teach them what they need most. Jesus. They are to busy attempting to MAKE you Conform, that they forget to teach you, forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. They forget to teach our Kids, that God loves them so, that He came and died for them. "Wait, John 3:16?? Seriously. Come on. That is so over used. Everyone knows that. They don't care. We got to blow their minds. We got to move them." Knowing that God loved them so much, even while they were "Yet Sinners, Christ died for" them {Romans 5:8} is not moving? Knowing that Jesus compared God as unto Earthly Fathers does not effect them? "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" {Matthew 7:11}
You see, way too many Churches try to teach Legalism, and forget to teach God. They forget to teach, especially our youth, that God, wants to be their Father. Not that He wants us to be His Servants, yet rather, His Children.The problem a lot of our Churches have is they forget to raise up Saints. They simple post the Rules and Regulation and tell you to be good and follow them. Again, more on the raising of Kids for Christ next time. Just remember, when you were once a child yourself, you knew little more than to totally trust, and have Faith in, your Parents. This is the relationship that God wants to have with you now. Total trust. Total Faith. Total Love. No Fear, Doubt, or even in some cases, Thought. God said, it is so. But the only way you can have this relationship with God, is to become Adopted.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..
"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"
That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}
If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}
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