| Churches are always safe places... |
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| Written by Hamp Lee III | |
| Monday, 06 August 2007 | |
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This is an adaptation from 10 Misconceptions of New Believers (http://christianity.about.com/od/newchristians/a/misconceptions.htm). As we view this myth in greater detail, may we first take a look in the mirror... Let's take a quick look on the other side of the fence. I don't want to give the impression that all Christians in all churches aren't trustworthy. There are many people in Christ that are loving, kind, and seek to do God's will at all times. But at the same time, we mustn't place this blanket statement upon everyone. Matthew 13:24-30 (KJV) - Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 10:16 (KJV) - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. From these scriptures, we find that in the first, the 'harvest' of the enemy will be among the good across the harvest field (the world). Sin has been produced in various forms among mankind and sadly, there will be people within the church that are from the harvest of the enemy. (Most) Churches welcome people of all types, cultures, and social/economic statuses. To be honest, you may never know what acts these individuals have committed in darkness. There can be molesters, murderers, robbers, etc. sitting next to you in your church services every week. Now, this shouldn't be cause for alarm, but a call to be mindful of the people (and things) that are in your church and other fellowship settings.For example, when many families visit a church for the first time, they'll gladly send their children off to Children's Church. Children's Church is often out of view from the main sanctuary, but parents feel safe because they automatically place their trust in the church. Now, if the same family was outside of the church, they may want to know who's watching the children; has a background check been accomplished; what are the classroom standards; etc. From the second verse, as Jesus sends His disciples out to preach, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils, He tells them to be wise as snakes and harmless as doves. Without going into lengthy definitions, Hebrew, or Greek, most people understand the attributes of snakes and doves. When I think of a snake, I think of something crafty, sneaky, and always out to cheat you. When I think of a dove, I think of purity, safety, and peace. If my family attends a church for the first time, our daughter will not go into Children's Church until we can find out more information about the teachers, classroom, etc. I'm not saying that the workers in Children's Church are molesters/abusers, but I'm not saying they're not. Sadly, we cannot afford to blindly trust people just because they are in church. (Churches should run background checks on their volunteers as a precaution as well.) You may have heard the cliché that you can't trick a trickster. Snakes/tricksters often use shadows of deception in order to fulfill their plans. If you know the 'games' and patterns of a snake/trickster, you're better prepared to stay far away from their traps. We may never be able to squash the inhibitions of those inside/outside our church walls, but as we allow ourselves to be harmless as doves, we can bring a little more love, purity, safety, and peace to our church, community, and world...through Jesus Christ. Remember to check the fruit... Matthew 7:15-20 (KJV) - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. |
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