“IS THE CHUCH PRACTICING SPIRITUAL SEGREGATION UNKNOWLINGLY?" In the secular world it is known as the good old boys club, or on college campus as a sorority group. Clubs which excludes a person based on the individuals not meeting the club’s requirements. As it was in America about 30 to 40 years ago, Afro-Americans were discriminated against because of the color of their skin. Being an Afro-American myself and living in America for many years, I came to know first hand what discrimination looks like when I see it happening, no matter what form or circumstances it is presented. I have observed this type of characteristic occurring in some churches that I have attended. The hidden underlining level of “spiritual segregation” that’s being practice in the mist of the church by some of its membership. This segregation was not limited to just black/white congregations not wanting to fellowship with each other. It goes even deeper then that. This component of isolation extends to the very thing in which Jesus sacrificed himself on Calvary for, and that was to redeem the lost souls of ankind or should I call them sinners, from a Christ less grave. The fact of the matter is, God loves the sinner, it is the sins they commit which stinks in his nostrils. In Matt 9:8-17 & Mark 2:15-17, it tells of the love Jesus has for saving the lost. Matthew 9:12, Jesus speaks of appraising the hypocritical Pharisees who was accusing and condemning him for eating with the sinner; where it says, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” These spoken words by Jesus substantiate my point of view, often times as Holy people we get caught up in being “Holier than Thou”, where we become no earthly good. By having this mindset we lack the understanding of Christ’s most simple command; and that is, “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” We who are believers following Christ have a job to do, and that is to reach everyone that can be reached before He calls his people home. Through the message of Christ’s life changing ministry which is the “GOOD NEWS”, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Church has a commandment which must be fulfilled in the end times. Mark 16:15-16, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature; and He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” This commission should be the Church’s main theme of purpose, which is to reach the lost by overcoming that traditional mindset of isolation. The Bible states in order for a person to obtain friends, they must show themselves to be friendly. I also like Pastor Rick Warren’s message in his book, “There can be growth without compromise our principles of Holiness” within the church. The Lord exemplified this in the book of Jeremiah 31:3 were he says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” If the church’s purpose is to be God’s light in a dark and sinful world, then we must start by putting that light on the hills of our spiritual hearts. We can accomplish this in showing more love towards the lost, by trying to reach out to them, no matter what the cost. A time must come when all churches believing in Jesus start showing the real love of God to the rest of the world. By demonstrate something that precedes all things and covers a multitude of faults in others, which is God’s love. We, who are counted as a part of Him, should have His love for the lost. Let us not forget that while we were in our sins, Christ loved us and gave his life in ransom for us. John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” In my mind the key words in this verse are not to condemn and saved. I have chosen these words because; they summarized Christ’s whole commitment to his creation. Yes, he was God wrapped in human flesh, and he sinned not. Even with his deity and perfection, he shows humility in dealing with the imperfection within mankind. The Holiness Church membership must learn from the formula Jesus used in drawing sinners. He did not condemn them in ways that demoralized their sinful condition, (he knew all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God), but built up their hope and faith by the words he spoke. Telling them of the serenity and rest which could be theirs to obtain, if they accept His Kingdom of Heaven’s teaching and believe on Him. After repenting, and being baptized, then receiving Him into their lives, it would be a greater hope for them, than the one they are experiencing now on this present earth. Showing love toward the sinner allows us to:
Finally remembering we are all sinners that are saved by the grace of God. The book of Romans 3:23 and 5:8 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” In conclusion: Christ died for the sinner, I Corinthians 15:3, Galatians 1:4, I Peter 2:24, II Corinthians 5:21. And when the church converts just one sinner, the Bible said the heavens rejoices (Luke 15:7). Two things to remember:
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