Casual. Webster describes it as "feeling or showing little concern," nonchalant as it were. Casual Fridays are a common thing (I work in a bank, so I love it), & even the dress code in church has loosened up. It still happens today, but I remember when you got looked at funny if you walked into a church with jeans & a t-shirt. Now I have never had a problem with how people dress when they come to church; correction, if they are decent I don't have a problem. I have seen times as a Youth Pastor where teens came in with pants on so tight they looked like they painted them on! But as far as the style of dress, (suits, dresses, jeans, t-shirts,etc.) I could care less. I've heard people say, "I think you should wear your best to church;) Who's to say that isn't their best? Who are we? But that is beside the point. . . . this world is becoming way to casual. It's okay to become casual with each other, but too many are becoming casual with God.Jesus said it this way in Matthew 24:12 "Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold." (NASB) Is this hard to see? Really, when you will go to jail for mistreating a dog & they MURDER 4000 babies a day in this country, SOMETHING IS WRONG! It's not rocket science. I see dogs that have pups & show them more love than human mothers do their offspring. Why does this happen? We have become casual with God.
I listened to a pastor talk about this the other day, that's why I guess I'm hot on it right now. Jesus said because lawlessness, SIN has increased, the love of many have will grow cold. The KJV says "will wax cold" like the hot wax on a lit candle will harden after the heat is taken away. People just don't love God the way they should; I mean, there are some who want His name off our money, out of our Pledge of Allegiance, out of our schools, I could go on & on. So it is easy to see where peoples love would grow cold. Christian people have even moved away from a fervent love of the Lord. Church has become a social gathering, a place to mingle & chat with your friends. There are churches, in our town & abroad, that serve coffee, DURING service! People sit & sip on their coffee while the minister talks to them about having a positive attitude & how Gods will is to make them millionaires & take all their worry away! I remember when you didn't dare chew gum in the sanctuary, much less drink coffee, & you heard about hell every week! But I ask, was that so bad? I mean, it didn't hurt me at all to walk out of church thinking about how I live my life & if it was in line with Gods Word! Today, churches are seeker friendly, not wanting to offend, toning God down a bit, making Him casual, approachable.
Jesus said it this way, & I believe HIM: John 3:3"Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Born AGAIN, changed from what we were into what HE intends for us to be. NOT Him conform to us, but we are to conform to HIM! We need to change! He is the same, yesterday, today & forever! Romans 12:2 says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." We are to come into alignment with God, changing the way we think of things, in light of His Word, not try to make God change to our standards.
I dont want to ever be casual, nonchalant when it comes God. I know we sing the song "I am a Friend of God," but He's God! He holds the wind in his fist, let alone my very existance! He is still the one who spoke, & this world we live on was created. Gods holiness hasn't changed & will not change. No matter how many men stand & say "You're okay, just think positive! God's a good God, He loves you just the way you are!" Listen, God is good, but He is HOLY! Heloves you & me, but we must be changed, set free from sin! We can't just look at Him as some cosmic bellhop in the sky; He is the ruler of all! I don't want to be casual toward Him, my sin, or ANYTHING that pertains to His Kingdom. Casual is okay, just not toward God.
About Me
- R. Shane Bailey
- I am husband to a beautiful wife, father to an awesome son & beautiful daughter, & servant of the Most High God.
5 comments:
i love your topic and you....
What should church be if it is not a social gathering of people. I think that church needs to be a place where people can feel loved and feel that God is approachable. Churches that I have seen that look at people strange for chewing gum or drinking coffee or wearing jeans usually expect people to come to church cleaned up already. Why not come to church as you are, whether its in tight painted on jeans or holes in your head and experience God with real people.
What's wrong with casual and approachable. Everyone in the south has in someway been offended by Christians in churches. So lets take a good long look at how we run our churches think about how church is and whether or not it is being effective. I'm not saying comform to the world but be approachable be reachable.
Sorry to go off on a tangent but in relation to this:
Christian people have even moved away from a fervent love of the Lord. Church has become a social gathering, a place to mingle & chat with your friends.
here are two ways that I've seen church work or not work
A.) a social gathering, a place to mingle and chat with your friends. (community-getting involved in the lives of those around you. loving on people in the church)oh and drinking coffee.
b.) a show. Every one dressed in their best. come in sit down,stand up sing, sit down, listen. "did the pastor do a good job? no i didn't like it, go home'
I'm sorry but i think that your wrong in the fact that casual is wrong. My beliefs are all bible based. I'm one hundred percent not bending on those. but I will love every person that walks through the door of the church or my home and make them feel welcome. not because they are good christians but because they need to be loved.
i'm offended in case you can't tell because it sounds like you want to say these churches who serve coffee and are relaxed are the reason we as Christians are letting things slide. Like because I'm relaxed socially in church my morals are relaxed and that offends me.
thanks really enjoyed, this is all true people tend to forget the real reason of gathering to worship. hopefully those people will be touched and have the spirit to remind them how important and powerful the feeling of really knowing that the lord will take you by the hand if ONLY YOU ASK!!!!!!!
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