August 20, 2012
Reason to be Offended
There are some people who, when they want to get out of a situation, look
for or even create a reason to be offended. Occasionally their reasoning may
have a ring of legitimacy, but more often than not it is a lame excuse that
others can see through. Recently a church member wanted us to change our
worship schedule to an earlier time slot so that people could then have more
time to get out on the golf course on Sunday. Out of diplomacy the leadership
took a survey, however the consensus of the congregation was to leave the time
alone. The person making the request is now sending out signals that he will
probably stop worshipping with us because, ‘No
one listens to me’. Objectively the Apostle Paul says, “… Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather
think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith
God has given you.” (Ro 12:3b NIV)
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Gail;
-----A few years ago I went to the yellow pages and counted nearly fifty churches in the Montrose area. I am sure every one of them is as different from each other in attitudes and particular beliefs and practices as every individual is from others. That’s just the nature of things. But in it is also the availability of our life. If only one church qualified as fellowship in the Lord, then a whole lot of people out there are in for a very unpleasant surprise. And those of that one church would be quick and sure to point out the existence of the broad way to destruction implying themselves to be the narrow way to life. Fortunately, such is wrong.
-----God has many children in many churches. If golf is so important to this person, why should worshipping with His kids who care less about a golf schedule be more important than worshipping with His kids who care more about a golf schedule? I’m sure some church around here does. He may have to put up with funkier theology, but maybe that’s what he’ll get if golf rates so high in his spiritual priorities list.
-----If he stops worshipping with you, then so what? The important thing will be that he is still worshipping, if he is still worshipping. Of course it would clearly speak that golf is to him more important than fellowship with you. But then, in a real sense of the truth, you clearly declared your worship schedule to be more important than fellowshipping with him. And all is well. And all is good. If he continues worshipping with someone. If he does not and proves himself lost, even though this will be his own fault, would it have been proven so if you had bent your schedule lovingly to prevent his breaking apart over something he would not handle? That is a supercilious proposition in light of the some fifty other churches available for his fellowship. But what if your church really was the only church? Would something as trivial as a worship schedule then be worth the cost of a soul’s eternity? Or would his soul be fried anayway? I am glad the presence of nearly fifty other churches makes even the thought of such questions absurdly ridiculous. Love him and let him go. All will be God's will, and His kingdom will continue coming even because of it.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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