Several years ago my husband and I passed a church that some family members of ours attended. There was a sign out front that said "Complaint Free Church". My husband made a comment about it and said "Maybe we should be Complaint Free Christians..." He was joking and since then its been a running joke between the two of us.
We have talked about our families and our church friends, the people we know and how everyone (mostly) expects you to be "complaint free". The definition of complain means: to express grief, pain or discontent. The definition of complaint means the same or dissatisfaction or something that is the cause or subject of protest or outcry. How in the world can we be Christians AND complaint free? Why would we not express our dissatisfaction with the world and all it has become? Why would we not outcry (a strong protect or objection) against those things that are against God's will? Our job is to bring others closer to God, to knowing Him and His will.....we are not going to acheive this by living in our own little world and sitting tight making friends, making people comfortable or by just going to church together. Here's a great song that comes to mind:
And another:
Even today I am in a battle with what is both spiritually and naturally wrong. As I am approached with such topics or notions I am constantly asking God "What do I do, What do I say?" Sometimes there is a mix between what God is telling me and what are my personal feelings. I try my best to base my personal feelings on what Gods word says, but sometimes Satan enters your mind. You have to be very careful not to let your gaurd down. Satan's lie to people often comes in the form of someone saying "What will unbelievers think?" For the most part, thats a good question. However, when a "Christian" says they believe in God and the bible and then also says they believe in sinning. What does THAT make unbelievers think? To me it makes them think "Man, they can't even get their stuff straight." Nothing makes us look worse, than being viewed as hypocritical and wavering.
This particular church that had that sign out front, has Christians that believe whatever they want to believe. Some believe in Hell, some think you make your own. Some think being gay is ok, some do not. Some believe in abortion, some don't. Etc. Etc. No one is placing what they believe wholeheartedly on the word of God. Most of them probably haven't read their bibles and if they have pick and choose what they want to believe instead of taking it for what it is. Churches we have attended have had the same view. My husband and I will disagree and agree on many things and one of them that we disagree about is why we go to church. He believes we go to church to listen and talk soley about God. He does not think its a place to be social. I disagree, I think its the very place to be social. We are not called by God to just sit in a sermon on Sunday morning and then walk out the door and hope to retain it until the next Sunday. (And I know my husband does not believe that is what you should do either) But we are to have fellowship, which is by definition: the state of sharing mutual interests, experiences, activities, etc Another definiation says family. We are brothers and sisters that share a common interest: God, our experiences make our lives all very different, but with our common interest we are able to come together, form friendships, relationships and learn from one another. We study the bible together and grow-this is the purpose of the church. Its not a place we go to pretend, make everyone feel all warm inside and save our place in Heaven because we're worried if we don't attend "church" we won't make it there.
Fortunately........and unforunately...I'm a truth seeker. I think I been since the day I was born. Ask anyone that knows me, I question everything and everyone. I so desperatly seek the answers most want to ignore because its outside their comfort zone or doesnt "involve" them. But only God knows a mans heart and only He will know the truth in all things. And although I may not know the truth in a mans heart, I do know the truth of whats natural and Gods. We find many scriptures that anyone can pull out of the bible that say "do not judge" so we are constantly reminded-especially when in an arguement over Gods word that we aren't suppose to judge. However, when read from front to back, its clear what we are and are not suppose to "judge" When our brothers or sisters are sinning, we are to call them out on it, if they do not change, we are to disown them until they do. Its not because we dont love them, but because we do. And sin taints people. When unbelievers are involved, sure we take things a little differently and we minister to them as best we can. It may take time, either way, so lots of praying and persistance is needed. "Judging" within the church is acceptable, here is just one example:
1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (New International Version)
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[a] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
So, here we are "Christians" with a million ways of "thinking" and varying life experiences. We are told to put ourselves out there to minister Gods word to those who don't know it. The best way, the only way to do this effectively is knowing it. Corruption or doubt within the church does no one good, that said there will always be something because people do not like to get out of their shells, they don't like causing a rift, or pushing buttons. We find a church we like and we get comfortable, we dont want to lose friends, we want people to like us, we want to sing or act in plays, teach or plan events. No one wants to "complain".
I say do it! Don't be a Complaint Free Christian, COMPLAIN! Do whatever is nesseccary to keep Gods word alive and moving. You can love one another without a facade. As a family, believers, you should be able to say "No, I'm not having a good day." Or in my case, "No its not been a good year." Stand up for what you think is wrong, or what you see wrong within. Don't waver on the word of God, the ten commandments are clear and so is his word. Abortion, Homosexuality, Drunkeness, Cheating, Lieing, Murdering, Raping, Jealousy, Etc. is all wrong, its all sin. I am not a Complaint Free Christian and I will continue to stand up for the Word as long a I live. I will not waver in my beliefs, no matter how many "friends" I lose or how many "enemies" I make. Because our time here is fleeting, but our time with Him is forever.
