Saturday, July 08, 2006
I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this
http://www.yahoo.com/s/342175
Yea, that's what we all need a little more laughter to take away the "religious" attitudes. But is that what church should be? Is it just that we need to be happy in Jesus and let that show within the church?
And then I cried. How do I explain this to my lost friends?
The ones who already think I'm weird for goin to church. Ones who I have tried to share that it is more than just religous guilt..."if that's church I don't want any-you'll turn me into a freak."
"Is that how you act in church? pffft, you must be crazy."
How are we to conduct ourselves in church? Jumping up and down and goin crazy, rolling in the floor 'cause we lost control?
1 Timothy 3:14 - 16 14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
John 13:34-35 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
http://www.yahoo.com/s/342175
Yea, that's what we all need a little more laughter to take away the "religious" attitudes. But is that what church should be? Is it just that we need to be happy in Jesus and let that show within the church?
And then I cried. How do I explain this to my lost friends?
The ones who already think I'm weird for goin to church. Ones who I have tried to share that it is more than just religous guilt..."if that's church I don't want any-you'll turn me into a freak."
"Is that how you act in church? pffft, you must be crazy."
How are we to conduct ourselves in church? Jumping up and down and goin crazy, rolling in the floor 'cause we lost control?
I Timothy 3:14-16
1 Timothy 3:14 - 16 14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
Love.
The first three chapters of this letter to Timothy, Paul has laid out how one is to conduct themselves in the church. In chapter one, verse 5, he spells out the purpose of the commandment is "to love with a pure heart." Love is to be the first and most precious of the commandments.
John, known as the Apostle of love, recalled Jesus saying in his Gospel,
John 13:34-35 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Notice He did not say, "by your laughter they will know.." A church should be more concerned about loving others and the members of the Body, than with being "happy in Jesus." Don't misunderstand. Yes it is good to be happy and joyful for your salvation, but it is more important that we sacrifice ourselves for the love of the brethern.
That is the primary task of being church! Love from a pure heart
More to come later,
Soli Deo Gloria,
Aaron "Tree" Landis
