Some months ago I lent a book about a Hell’s Angel who came to the Lord and
how he blossomed in Christ, touching lives as the holy spirit guided him. It
was a test to see just where my friend’s heart lied, the church or with God.
Like many Christians he read safe books, hung out with safe Christians, listened
to safe songs, watched safe movies, but was missing something. There was a joy
that would surface from time to time, but buried in church hypocrisy. “Stay
within the confines of the church, they will protect you. Don’t make waves, or
one may hit you.” They have become like a man described pastors at a church I
used to attend “men who live to swim, but are afraid to get into the water.”
Bragging within themselves of which service they attend, which small group they
are part of, how many trips to Israel they have taken, and even what important
names they have heard or know as stay within the lines. They make it a point to
boast of the 99 they think they serve, but neglect the one who is out there
seeking. They have lost their hearts, missed a calling, and within the church
ranks have lost respect, but in a group who has no respect for anything but
themselves, they fit right in. We are all guilty of this from time to time, we
need to ask “where is Jesus in our lives?”
Over the years of secular jobs, I have attended too many corporate
meetings, events, and rallies. As a Christian, I often get invited to hang
around only with the saved members of the company, where it is safe, so when I
would be made fun of as a church boy, I found safety in numbers with other
church boys, too often saying if not thinking “well at least I’m going to
heaven, they’re not.” And boastfully think that is love. As Christians we are
called to be out in the world, not of it, yet we find pastors only hanging with
other pastors, who hide behind pulpits, addressing safe crowds who believe like
they do. We find PTA and school groups dissected by belief, with the Christian
keeping a safe distance from any who might be looking for Jesus, what if they
ask me questions? And no, evangelizing is not inviting them to church.
Scripture tells us an unused barn stays clean, but makes no profit. How clean
is your barn? What is your profit structure based on? Who meets you
needs?
I have been asking church folk “if your church lost all its finances
tomorrow, how would it affect their ministering?” Would it make any difference
at all? Should it? We feel safe and secure when all the bills are paid, when
we can do what we want, but what about what God wants? Do we dare to leave the
security of a building we call home and meet a Lazarus? Have we become so rich
and safe we are isolated and insulated from those hurting, have we become numb
to the spirit? What do we really trust in?
And so when I handed my friend this book, I knew what his response would
be. He started it, maybe read a few pages, but put it down. And fell into the
trap set for him. Reading other safe books, calling on safe people, hanging
with safe people, and fellowshipping with safe people. All one safe group,
numbed by the goodness of God, but really the selfishness of themselves. They
are like other church friends I have, who tithe faithfully, then complain about
having no money. Jesus loves a cheerful giver, not the actions of a miserable
tither. It can happen to all of us, and it happens to me, I need to be on my
guard. You see when church, studies, small groups, and Christian activities are
all you engage in, you are becoming lukewarm, white bread in a world of gourmet
bread. These things are not so much wrong as they may not be right, ask
yourself, “where is Jesus in this?”
When asked to minister or participate, do you have to ask your wife first?
Check with your pastor first to see if interferes with a church activity? Or is
part of their agenda? Or do you trust God enough like you say you do to step
out of your safety zone, and see him at work? Are you church approved or God
approved? Do you know there is a difference? Now....after you have gotten
defensive, and made excuses, maybe even criticized me, are you ready for Jesus?
Or are you so busy studying to find yourself approved you forgot who you are
approved by? Here’s a simple test, pick up your Bible, and just read it. For
fun, not to study or outline, but just to read, like you would a letter from a
friend. And see if you don’t get more out of it. Education is OK, application
is what we are called to.
By the way, the book is called “Fallen Angel-from Hells Angel to Heaven’s
Saint” by Barry Mayson. Meeting the needs of people is what Jesus was all
about, physical, emotional, and spiritual. What is driving you? What if a
person identified you as a Christian, like a little girl did one night in the
garden with Peter, would you run from them? What if she just wanted to know
Jesus, she was scared, and knew Peter was with him, a friend? Is that how you
react when someone calls you Church Boy or makes fun of you for Christ? Do you
bail in fear and pride? Or do you listen and engage them? How different would
it have been if Peter talked with her, and led her to salvation? What if you
were Peter? What if you were that little girl? The spirit is willing, are you?
So if you don’t like the challenge of this message, if I have upset you and
your Safe Christian life, if I have become your enemy by telling you the truth,
I know you are praying for me, because you pray for your enemies just like Jesus
said. My prayer is you listen to what the spirit is saying, get out and live, be
where the action is in Jesus Christ. Sin is sin, from outlaw biker to quilting
lady denying Jesus, do we care enough to show them some love? Jesus did. And
does. And you have all you need if God sends you, skip the meetings, the
budgets, the processes and procedures. Trust God for a change, and see how he
changes you. It was the lukewarm that made Jesus sick, why else would he puke?
I shudder to think I may make Jesus sick, religion is for sissies, Jesus is for
the tough. And also the weak and vulnerable, all the unsaved. Us. How do you
know Jesus loves you? How does your friends know you love them? By whose
spirit will you know?
By the way I met Barry years ago, a very unassuming man, until you meet the
Jesus that changed him. His web site heavenssaints.com, for whoever does this
to the least of them, does it to Jesus. And if you want to read his book, I’ll
get it back from my friend. Unless he is brave enough to read it. Let him hear
what he is missing from someone else. It’s your move....how safe are you really
without him?
If studying is where it is at, why don’t LDS and JW’s go to heaven? Dn’t
they study, aren’t they approved by their church? Hmmmmm......
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com