Don’t Reject Jesus Christ Because Of The Failings Of People

      Having a conversation with a brother the other day concerning the goings on in Christendom set me thinking. I came to the fearful conclusion (because I have had several conversations on same subject with many others) that so many do not really know the God of the Bible they claim to serve. Fearfully and humbly, I am of the opinion that all of Creation, especially the Body of Christ will be in great shock when the Lord Jesus Christ returns because so many things that have been allowed and taken for granted may not really be His will after all. In wanting to have a convenient relationship ‘with benefits’ with God Almighty through Jesus Christ, so many have opened their hearts to destructive and delusional teachings that negate the truth of God even when such ‘truth’ is glaringly filled with holes for them to see: “For God’s wrath is revealed from Heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them because God has shown it to them…instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened” (Romans 1:18-19, 21b). 

      Back to the conversation I had with the brother. He went on and on about how God will and must punish some Church leaders for leading astray and fleecing the sheep. God will indeed punish erring Church leaders and all others for their wrong doing because He had said so (Revelation 22:11-12). However, what manner of people/sheep are we to be then? Are we to sit down and castigate those that we feel should know but are not acting it or to abstain from the Church of the Lord altogether? For instance, someone once said atheists are garnering more converts especially among young Christian people because of the failings of the Church. Beloved, no matter how much we try to vilify or justify what is going on in the Church, it does not stop the Lord from what He is doing and what He is set to do at the close of time: “Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12). Beloved, not only for Church leaders, but for EVERYONE! 

      The Bible says concerning Samuel’s sons (whom he appointed as Judges over Israel because of his old age): “However, his sons did not walk in his ways – they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes and perverted justice” (1Samuel 8:3). So many feel betrayed by not only the Church but by the political class as well. The elders came together, as so many are declaring because of these betrayals: “…Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations” (1Samuel 8:5). Now, children of God compare themselves to unbelievers, even compare their countries to nations that are actively denying Jesus Christ; but because these people and the nations are doing so well, then whatever they are doing must be right. One could understand the argument of Israel's elders; after all, the sons of Samuel were rogues just like the sons of Eli were before them. But their rejection of these judges was actually a rejection of the sovereignty of God over them. 

       Beloved, it is true that most of our Church leaders have failed the Body, but we must not because of that reject the rule of Jesus Christ in our lives by questioning our faith and actively disobeying His Word. Beloved, on that day no person will have an excuse when such stands before the King of kings to give account of his/her days on earth. When Nebuchadnezzar felt he was what he was by his might, God answered him and he couldn’t talk back or give an explanation for his pride. Likewise, when Job felt justified in his own eyes, he was silenced when he heard the rebuke of the Lord and he had no excuse. Beloved, same thing, on that DAY, no man will have an excuse to justify his actions and words. Therefore, don’t allow the attitude and character of people in authority in the Church turn your heart against God by going contrary to His Word; rather like the children of Israel during the days of the corrupt priests Hophni and Phinehas, choose to continue to serve, love and honor the Lord with your strength and might. Imagine if Elkanah and Hannah had held back from worshipping and serving God because of the corrupt practices of the Priests, they would not have had Samuel. What a loss it would have been for them and the people of Israel! Therefore, stand your ground in God's Word: “So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36). God bless you.