What floats your religious boat? Music style? Mission awareness? Community buzz? Sermon delivery? Doctrinal position? Mutual acquaintances? Commitment to the Word?
In the name of Bible abiding, our persnickety attitudes run church influence into the ground and the lost communities drive past us without a nod. Why is this? Why do we not notice this about us?
I would not know all of the reasons. One seems to be clear; yet ignored as if such violation of God's call makes no difference. I address the theme of worry. We tend to shrug that one. It has become an acceptable sin.
The Bible doctrine is clear. Do not be anxious. Do not fret. Do not worry.
However; who cares? Off we go about church business fretting and sweating all the way to Sunday School hacked by someone(s) else because they did or did not behave (or believe) according to our priorities. We worry because some churches have the wrong opinions. We become anxious because we do church right and others can't see the glory in our superior mindful and spiritual awareness.
Worry rules the rich and the poor. Christians are fundamentally oblivious to a major doctrine that should set us apart from unbelievers; we are not to be anxious. And we wonder why so many choose to live on the lake or the golf course on Sunday mornings?
So how do we become obedient to Matthew 6:25-34 when we are told by Jesus do not be anxious? This has been a huge mountain for me to climb. Over years of experience, I have learned God uses every setting known to man to produce Kingdom progress. Psalm 46: 10's be still and know I am God literally means let go and relax.
Relax? In these complex times? Yes. Worry contributes nothing. Calm does. Peace is within the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
How do we become obedient to God's stark call to refrain from worry? Stop it. It is a choice; not a circumstance. It is obedience; not a mood.
To ignore this strong Word from God is indeed to hold a very dark doctrine of rebellion.
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