The shame of Palm Sunday

[imoss]

I was led to read Romans 14: 1-13 today and in prayer and reflection was considering this passage. For you got me thinking... I know the Lord will say "I never knew you" to some. In reading this passage I got thinking about how we are not to judge the faith of one who is but a babe in Christ.

I was thinking about the effects of such righteous judgement upon one who goes to praise our glorious Lord but twice/year. For they are praising the Lord, for they do know the redemption that is in Christ Jesus but they only cheat themselves out of relationship with others and the Lord by not assembling regularily. If we stand in Judgement of them, they know that. They can sence those judging eyes (which are not from the Lord who loves them) when they see those judging eyes at church they have no desire to go back & thus separates them further from the Lord.

I think that we are all parts of the body of Christ once we are in Christ. There are those, probably like you who are called to convict others of their err in their walk. This is a tough place to be in the body of Christ (much easier to be one called to edify thats for sure!) The thing is I think that this calling to convict others of righteousness should be done prayerfully and cautiously when dealing with one early in their walk. They should be validated where they are doing it right & gently encouraged to grow in Gods word. As they spend time in Gods word they will see passages about the gathering together and the Holy Spirit WILL minister truth to this.

I know this was true for me. I stayed away from church for the longest time because I kept hearing how corrupt the church is and all that jazz. A truly wrong way to look upon my fellowship for sure. I thank God for my church now, been going for 15 months when we can (we live 45 minutes from town in the north so many sundays its not a good idea to be on the road)

When you think that placing yourself within a building weekly makes you somehow more approved then another in Christ you err.

When you sit in righteous judgement of the faith of another without having walked in their shoes you err.

I want you to sit and take a good hard look at yourself and decide to love these annual church attenders as Christ loves you. For there is nothing we could ever do on this earth to earn the grace and mercy given upon that cross. You didnt earn it, they didnt earn it... (it may make you indignant that they choose to walk the way they do, this is not your concern its between them and the Lord) As for me, I didnt grow in my faith because I was surrounded by unbelievers and really didnt know how. I was not mentored or followed up on after I received the Lord. slowly though our present Lord got through the barrier of pride and fear and I praise him for that but would never judge another who is not "there" yet. I pity them a little though cause there is NOTHING like having relationship with CHrist and KNOWING him present!

Bless your heart!

[Fez]

In light of this passage, we know that we live in a world filled with billions of people who think that they are saved and going to heaven, when in fact they are not.

And every year, around Easter they get this big reinforcement, that they are

[ErinCP]

To the man who is about an inch away from being saved and living his life for Christ, DO IT, take that little step further, cuz once God plants a seed it grows!!! And if the LIVING Word doesnt convince you, read 20 minutes in hell, then you'll be convinced, trust me!