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Going to church should be way more than merely making an appearance and pretending to be perfect. I’ve worked in the church for over 20 years and the reality is that life is messy on either side of the cross.
I spent three years battling depression, and even wrote a book about it. What finally changed my perspective was when I stopped trying to change everything around me and began asking God to change what was broken inside of me. He humbled me, broke me and restored me.
When we meet Christ the penalty of our sin is paid for, but the presence of sin and what we’ve done in our lives is still there. It takes time to get the bad seed out and the good seed planted and producing a good crop (Galatians 6:7-9).
The church should be a place where we find hope during this process. Should you feel good at church? Yes. And should you feel convicted at church? Yes!
The truth hurts sometimes. It stings. It convicts. However, the truth also provides freedom and hope, inspiration and encouragement, and it does feel good.
The church is a place where it’s OK to not be OK, but it’s not OK to stay that way. The church should speak the truth from the Bible. It’s not the pastor’s job to make people feel good or bad about where they are in their spiritual journey. It is the pastor’s job to teach the truth. The Holy Spirit will then do what He needs to do.
So if you’re struggling with something, know the church is the perfect place to ask for someone to pray with you or for you. And when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you next time you’re in church, listen and do what He says. If you apply that information you’ve heard or learned, it WILL bring about transformation in your life.
I spent three years battling depression, and even wrote a book about it. What finally changed my perspective was when I stopped trying to change everything around me and began asking God to change what was broken inside of me. He humbled me, broke me and restored me.
When we meet Christ the penalty of our sin is paid for, but the presence of sin and what we’ve done in our lives is still there. It takes time to get the bad seed out and the good seed planted and producing a good crop (Galatians 6:7-9).
The church should be a place where we find hope during this process. Should you feel good at church? Yes. And should you feel convicted at church? Yes!
The truth hurts sometimes. It stings. It convicts. However, the truth also provides freedom and hope, inspiration and encouragement, and it does feel good.
The church is a place where it’s OK to not be OK, but it’s not OK to stay that way. The church should speak the truth from the Bible. It’s not the pastor’s job to make people feel good or bad about where they are in their spiritual journey. It is the pastor’s job to teach the truth. The Holy Spirit will then do what He needs to do.
So if you’re struggling with something, know the church is the perfect place to ask for someone to pray with you or for you. And when the Holy Spirit is speaking to you next time you’re in church, listen and do what He says. If you apply that information you’ve heard or learned, it WILL bring about transformation in your life.
Scripture
About this Plan
Want to experience the abundant life Jesus promised us in John 10:10? That life starts when we connect to Jesus and to His Church. In this 14-day reading plan, Perry Noble, explains why no organization has more potential to change the world than the local church!
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