Guilty!

Matthew 7:1-2 (Amplified Bible) Do not judge and criticize and condemn others ... for just as you judge and criticize and condemn others you WILL be judged and criticized and condemned., and in accordance with the measure you deal out to others it will be dealt out again to you.

Could this be true? If so, God help us all! No wonder the world is so harsh and condemning of the church! We are only getting back what we have dished out! The church has been so judgemental, critical, harsh, and condemnatory toward the world .... ranting and raving about sinful lifestyles and practices. We MUST stop judging. Jesus never gave us this authority or responsibility or even permission to judge, condemn and pass sentence on the world.

In fact, if Jesus were to join a group in 'judging', he would join with the worlds 'judgement' of the church (religious crowd), just like he did in his day!

It is time for us to stop condemning, prosecuting, judging , and passing sentence on the people in the world. We (the church) need to start repenting for ursurping God's job! It's time for us to start focucing on being gracious, and loving and welcoming ... i.e. like Jesus.

By being harshly judgemental, we have handed the world a very big stick with which to beat up on the church. I'd sure rather that the only 'measuring device' the world had to use against the church was one of love and grace and mercy.

What do you think?

Keeping the passion alive

For many Christians the initial passion for kingdom living eventually dies down (sometimes even goes out.) Why?

I believe that the central issue is that we forget that it is Jesus who 'ignites the kingdom fire within us, a fire within us, the Holy Spirit within us' (Matthew 3:11 The Message). We come to believe that our Christian life will be sustained by conforming to the churches programs, by attending, and serving, and trying hard to act like a Christian is supposed to behave. And we end up frustrated, weary, discouraged, burnt out, and full of doubt. Because we have forgotten the source of our 'life' and passion and fire - Jesus.

If I want to stay spiritually alive and passsionate - I must keep encountering Jesus regularly and stay connected to him. That is the ONE thing necessary (Mary at Jesus feet! Luke 10:42) - our encounter and close connection to Jesus. No matter what else is going on!

As a church leader, my greatest work (and most productive work) is to keep people encountering and connected to Jesus - he is the source of life, change, passion, and power - not me, not the 'church' not the programs, sermons, worship, or ministries. Jesus - the great igniter!