This morning I attended a church service in my community as I was part of a handbells group. I like the opportunities I get through playing handbells, because it includes experiencing various worship styles and clergy.
There were times though while sitting and listening this morning I wanted to raise my hand and ask a few questions (but I didn’t – ha!)… like: How do we know and always understand exactly what the Bible is telling us? How with our small human brains can we be sure we get it right? Isn’t the Bible written in a way to create discussion, to think about what the people of those times were dealing with and how it relates today? And why oh why did Paul say to Timothy to have nothing to do with ‘those’ people who sin? I mean, we all sin, just in different ways, and how can we stay away from the people who act like the list above? Does that seem like a good Christian to stay away?
This morning the pastor, a man I have heard preach before, spoke on Timothy 3, 1- 9. It reads:
‘But mark this: there will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous,, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying it’s power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jane’s and Jambres opposed Moses ,so also these people oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. ‘
Wow!!! Right?
The apostle Paul wrote the epistle to Timothy, as Timothy was getting ready to head out on a missionary trip.
This morning the pastor spoke about how true it is that today we still meet people like what is listed in the above verses. Somethings – and people – never change over time. We as Christians certainly know of people that fit the categories listed. We need the Holy Spirit to try our best to be led the way God wants us to go. The pastor pointed often in his sermon that Christians live in this world but not ‘of’ it and that Christians live by the Bible. He stressed that the Bible is ‘the truth’ and the Bible is the place to find the answers. Yes. Yes.
While listening this morning, I thought that maybe Paul was telling Timothy not to waste his time – and to go and disciple to people who will listen. They were traveling to spread the Word, and they were reaching out to those who could then continue on spreading it. I personally don’t think it’s ever right for Christians to shun someone, or to judge their sins.
The pastor also used a reference that I had not heard about: He mentioned some children in a school saying they were cats and wanting a litter box placed in the school’s bathrooms. What?!?! DO you know this story? The pastor said we as Christians must use our wisdom, and make the right decisions. As I listened I thought this example was used to not accept all children, especially those who have different thoughts. A comment to these times.
At about this point I sat there and thought, hmmm…. okay. It’s a tricky part of the Bible to discuss, and maybe I am not understanding what is being said – but if I was unchurched, or checking out a church, this was a red flag. I thought about how church traditions are fine, and I like a liturgy, and I like the respect shown in churches, and I love the music (and today there were two handbell pieces and a lovely choir anthem), but today was a reason some find that the church is hypocritical.
This pastor is a servant of God, and a good family man, and a wonderful speaker – but I worry about the ordained who cannot admit that we don’t always know what God is saying through the Bible. And that, over EVERYTHING God is love – and that Christians are in a constant state of learning… and that we don’t always get it right.
During these turbulent times we need to be
“walking humbly with God” ….
Offering love to all.
Marla’s Musings 