I’m sure this post will get me plenty of hate mail from the religious crowd, but letting the light of Jesus shine into darkness has never been easy or without persecution. Wolves, dressed in the clothing of religious service looking like sheep, have infiltrated the church and are openly stealing the glory that belongs to God. Helping people in need brings God glory and for those who have received help, rightfully so, God bless you. But for those to whom this post is written wake up!
For weeks now people have worked feverishly to get things ready. Donations have been sought and collected to ensure no one goes without. Crowds of people have so graciously donated their whole weekend taking care of the material needs of folks all over the area. People under bridges have been clothed, fed, and hydrated. School kids have received back packs filled with school supplies. Porta-johns have been set up for the grand celebration service this evening. God is sitting on His throne looking down at His people so proud of all their selfless efforts. Yes, in our little world, God is well pleased. Bologna! Since when has working for the kingdom of God become about back packs, school supplies and worldly material things? Since when was it proclaimed by Christ that providing for people living under bridges that refuse to rid themselves of pride and arrogance be called the work of God? Since when did Christ say the work of God should be so worldly focused? I wonder how many cases of beer the church bought this weekend? I wonder how many cartons of cigarettes the church provided? That’s right, I said it, how can the church enable irresponsible people to continue on the same path of destruction by choosing to deliver, in God’s name, the provision people refuse to work or sacrifice for. It’s a fact, many of the thousands of back packs that were delivered to children have parents that are not willing to sacrifice their carton of cigarettes or their case of beer so that their child could have what is needed for school! It’s just a fact that most of the people living under bridges refuse to go to a homeless shelter because the shelter won’t allow them to do as they please. The shelters have rules and standards that are very similar to the rules and standards we live by. Drug and alcohol abuse is forbidden. But don’t worry, our conscience is soothed and we have spoken the words of affirmation that we needed to hear to each other making everything feel fine. After all, we are the one’s most important. For every comment I hear about what Christ has done, I hear hundreds more about what we’ve done. It makes my stomach turn to see God’s glory being stole right before my very eyes! For if I would keep silent, the very earth would cry out in anguish. I’m all for loving on the lost. I’m all for feeding the hungry. I’m all for helping those who are struggling, but not at the price of enabling them to continue in a life of sin. It’s my desire, and the desire of Christ, for them to be delivered from the bondage of sin and set free. It wasn’t material things that Jesus said would set people free, it was Truth! Nowhere in scripture does it say we should become like the world to win them, in fact it states quite the contrary. Go ahead throw your stones, but know this, truth has been delivered to you this day. What are you going to do with it?