Brother Rudd has 'Expository Files' on his website which "is a monthly electronic journal, edited by Warren E. Berkley & Jon W. Quinn, dedicated to the faithful exposition of Scripture. Our journal's history began in 1994. Our writers seek to present helpful truths on selected Bible texts. Each one believes that all Scripture is inspired by God. Though most of the writing is expository in nature, some articles deal with special issues and topics. We invite you to download as many as you wish."
This is something that caught my eye as I was reading an expository writing entitled 'Sinner's Anonymous' under 'Sin and Morality' section and then under 'Consequences of Sin'.
"The growth of local churches of Christ has, no doubt, been stunted by the refusal of Christians to sincerely welcome into their company those who are seen as spiritually "challenged". This un-Christlike behavior is seen not only in public worship services, but also in our personal and business activities as we consciously avoid anything other than a distant and casual acquaintance with those whom we consider to be spiritually and/or morally inferior.
Jesus was not afraid to go to the poor, ignorant, downtrodden, socially outcast, morally decadent and physically diseased masses. Neither were his apostles, and neither should we. (Mt. 4:23; 6:2; 8:3,14,28; 9:6,32; 10:1; 12:10; 14:36; 15:22,30; 16:1; Acts 28:7-9; I Pet 2:21. Read 'em!).
The church in Corinth was made up of sinners of the vilest ilk, male prostitutes, homosexuals, etc., Paul however, tells them reassuringly, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (v11). No longer shun such people. Let their sin, or poverty, etc. be your opportunity to lead them to Christ."
Ed Barns, Expository Files 6.10, October 1999.
Wow. I have to say that while this is very generalized to churches everywhere, isn't it true that we can greet them and make them feel welcome in our midst in the worship service...but how often do we invite moral degenerates into our homes for a meal...are we afraid of them?? of how it will look to our fellow brethern?? thank Jesus that He was not afraid of how it would look to His followers to associate with the people that no doubt had mental problems to say the least. Are we so comfortable in our lives that we can't make time for people who take us out of our comfort zone??
I'm not condemning anyone because I'm sure I may have offended someone out there and that is not my intention...the intention is to make us all think...myself included that maybe I will start talking to those people who have problems that I don't understand so well. I could end up just like them if I gave up too or if I made poor choices. People who make poor choices and live out the consequences of their sin...include all of us but some have just gave in to more weaknesses I suppose.
I have many weaknesses, like many of us do...and you may have seen many of my posts that were full of self pity and looking for your help and support. I got a lot of support on here, and I'm blessed for that. I know that no church is perfect but as much as people would agree that it's good to help someone by pointing out their erring ways...well, it may be good to give some churches a wake-up call so to speak. A church with addicts and people with mental illnesses does not have to be a weak family if there is support. The denominational churches take such pride in all the help they offer to anyone who wants it or needs it in the world of addictions and dependencies. I understand that they aren't teaching the truth as we know it...but one thing I've noticed they do have is a real desire to reach out to the community at large...as Jesus did. Now, if we could all get off our sometimes, stuffy butts, lol, and learn something from them...that the lowest of society may have somethign to teach us besides what we don't want to become. Some of those people have hit such bottom that they truly desire God's effect in their life and soak up the bible and loving God so much...imagine if it was us in the Church of Christ, the only true church that would learn how to get these people in touch with the one true gospel. I do believe that people who suffer from dependencies of many kinds, need personal attention and time...time that people are willing to give...that is how they will see Jesus, is through our commitment to showing love...and they need love. There are people in our own congregations that need us more than we know.
I have been fortunate to have known some of these kinds souls. I have mental illness and a warped way of seeing myself and I am very lonely and am very weak...but I have started to attend a support group full of people just like me. They all hunger to live for God too. I certainly hope in the future that my church can reach out to these people and realize what they need and how to show them love and Jesus in a way that will help to change their lives. People in our own churches NEED to understand beyond a textbook and their realm of what addiction and mental illness is all about.
READ THE BIBLE, PRAY EVERY DAY.....YES. GET THE LOVE AND DAILY SUPPORT FROM YOUR GODLY FAMILY....LET'S HOPE SO CAUSE THAT IS LIVING FOR GOD.....right?
And it all starts with individual Christians doing what they can do - not on their own, but through the power of God! Keep up the good work - "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world!"
I completely agree with you Rayanne. I think it is important that we as Christians do our best to especially target those plagued non stop by Satan or those who are recent converts and subject to revenge from Satan; to ensure that they have all the necessary tools to help resist the world and the devil’s sick mind games so we can all be good Christians and hopefully be strong enough to make God proud of us.
Take me for example, I suffer from anxiety attacks, social phobia, depression and I am constantly assaulted by worldly nonsense. I think it is important for people like me, to be constantly reminded that Christians are our Godly family and we shouldn’t feel phobic or anxiety to be around our fellow Christians and that unlike a lot of worldly people, Christian people can support you and give comfort and encouragement so we may all hopefully be together in heaven. I think we should all recognize that sometimes actions speak greater than words and the weak need to be tangibly assured of the agape love we all have for each other and be like it says on the side of police cars “serve and protect”-in this case, our fellow Christians.
We must all everywhere guard against externally and internally giving the false impression of luke warmness or even coldness by constantly striving to be proactive by simply even asking how you are and talking.
Sometimes in this weird day in age filled with real mental illnesses, I believe it should be explored whether it would be beneficial to have a member of the church whether it be an elder or a deacon, have a degree or some kind of training in mental health, to compliment their strength as a Christian as it might be that beneficial strive to help reach those who are weak in the faith, are mentally sick or have serious addictions of some sorts. I dare say, it might even be beneficial for congregations to have seminars on how to deal with people like that in order to facilitate and be mindful of the needs of such people who obviously through no fault of their own, need the constant care of fellow Christians to help them resist Satan. For some people, that kind of ability to reach out to people like that, comes natural however not all people have the kind of natural ability to be able to reach the weak, the ill and the addictive without risking accidental alienation or discouragement such as myself but I would love to know how so I can drastically reduce my chances of having a negative effect on those kind of people either due to my actions or lack of actions but at the same time, maintaining the fundamental principles of the Bible.
