Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts

Saturday, July 22, 2023

All Churches Are The Same

 All Churches Are The Same


 

I've been involved with Churches my whole life. And what I have found is that every church has about 5 to 10 people who think they own the church. They think it's their job to control and police the church. They use their power, money, influence and knowledge to bully people into doing what they want.


Now, when I said this I'm sure that a church person popped into your mind. If you attend church you probably know one of them. If you don't attend, then they are probably the reason you were driven away.

When I talk to church people about this they all say the same thing. "All churches are like that. You'll never find a perfect church" 

They say this like it's so profound and a solution to the problem. They seem to think we should just suck it up and let these people rule.

But, the scriptures speak of these people plainly.

It's these children of Satan who worked to kill Jesus.

It's these tares among the wheat who tried to destroy Paul's work, every where he went.

They are wolves in sheep's clothing who drive away people seeking God.

They are false brethren who do everything they can to distract from God's work.

They are a brood of vipers who seek followers, then make them 10 times the sons of hell.

They are scribes. Pharisees, and hypocrites, whose end is to be burned.

They are Lot's Wife. They are the Elder Brother.

They are the foolish virgins, shut out and driven into the apostate church, to beat the menservants and maidservants.

We know who these people are. Why do we let them rule? We are guilty for allowing it. We are guilty for letting them drive people from Christ.

The Lord will cleanse His temple in these latter days, and drive out the money changers and those who buy and sell, instead of knowing and serving  Christ.

They need to be saved. They do great damage to the cause. Satan uses them in these last days to disrupt the work of the believer.
-----
 
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois

Photo by the writer.

Follow me on Medium: https://medium.com/@chris-bunton



Sunday, May 7, 2023

Christians Hate Social Media


Christians Hate Social Media.



I have noticed this ever since Social Media became a thing. It is apparent on my Facebook page, conversations I’ve had and in national Christian circles. Christians hate social media.
Maybe hate is too strong of a word. Maybe hate is a sin. Maybe it’s fear. They fear social media. Course, fear is a sin as well.

I know they look at social media. I see them carefully Facebook stalking. But, still there’s this rejection and ridicule of it.

I have many Christian Facebook friends, and they hardly ever post. A few of them do. But, large amounts do not. They never “like” anything. They never comment. They only stay in their small safe circle. The same circle they have at church. Now, if it’s a post that is totally vetted and safe, then you might see some likes. . If it’s a quote from some world famous preacher, or an achievement that reaches the level of 20 “likes”, then you might see a few come out of the closet. But, it’s rare. I see Sasquatch more often. Maybe it’s just me.

I’m under the impression that Christians have a job to do, and that is to spread the Gospel, help others, and bring light into darkness. I believe God has allowed the internet and social media to exist in these last days for that purpose, before the Door is shut. But, where are Christians? My newsfeed should be full of Bible Quotes, and praise videos, at least every Sunday. But I hear crickets.
The scripture says we should encourage each other, and mourn and rejoice with each other. But, silence reigns. I hear that people believe visiting someone face to face is better than online. But, that cannot always happen, and it ends up never happening. At least posting on social media is an attempt to do something.

There are all kinds of excuses and ridicule given from the pulpit to keep the ranks in line. “If you saw it on Facebook it must be true!” is a common tool of ridicule. Things on Facebook have as much chance to be true, as some of the sermons I’ve heard in my life. Is it about the fact that the message is written instead of spoken? God’s Word is a written message. Paul’s Letters were written the same as text messages and Facebook posts. The Holy Spirit can use anything.
Christians talk about how much filth is on social media or how much drama. Well, fix it! Post good positive Godly stuff. You are allowing Satan to own it. This is a war. What are you doing? Hiding in your foxhole? Life is drama. That drama is a chance to serve. It’s a chance to pray. It’s a chance to reach out.

Perhaps this is only in my social circle, but I doubt it. I have seen world renowned preachers speaking the same thing. Maybe preachers are afraid the flock will be exposed to other ideas that might pull them away. Maybe believers are afraid to have arguments, online or not be able to defend their position. We are called to tell the great things God has done for us, to give an account of why we believe and to be a good soldier for Jesus Christ. By studying and stepping out in faith to do these things, we will get better at it, and less afraid. We will see God working, and the chances of other ideas pulling us away becomes less and less, because we see that He is real and we have a relationship with Him. But, when we refuse to serve Him, He is just an idea that other ideas can challenge. Ideas cannot challenge someone we know. A person is real. God is a person, not a concept competing with other concepts. Let the Truth go, and it will defend itself. A caged Lion can only roar. But, if he gets free, He can take down whoever seeks to recapture Him.

Noah was told to build an Ark. While he was building it he preached to those around him trying get them saved. He knew what was coming, and he reached out. In the end he only saved his immediate family. 8 souls.

That is what believers should be doing. We see that the end is coming. We know the door will be shut. We are to be telling others. Even if the only people we save are a few folks on our Facebook page. Maybe God gave you them for that purpose. So, you can reach them. Maybe social media is the only way to get to some folks. The time is coming.

Of course there are wise ways to use social media. There are definite dangers to using it. But, that should not prevent us from doing our job. A cell phone allows us access to the evil social media. But, do you hear Christians condemning cell phones very often? Nope.
 
-----
 
Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, blogger and poet from Southern Illinois