Friday, September 03, 2004

i've always felt that there was such a concept as 'feel-good' churches. basically they are churches which make you feel extremely happy after a sermon, because they hammer into you that God is great, God is generous, God will bless you, He will never let you go etc.

While all that is true, the way that he blesses us, i dont think, is correctly conveyed to people. you see, God is generous, and He will bless us, but in ways in which we do not comprehend. Usually we view being blessed as getting RICH and enjoying success in all areas of life. Yet, do u know how blessed we are? Just start counting your blessings, u'll never be able to finish. i was horrified when i heard city harvest church preaches that since God blesses you, christians will be rich. I think its completely ridiculous anyone'd believe that. since when did running the spiritual race have anything to do with wordly wealth? 'for the love of money is the root of all evil' this quote is from the bible. i seriously doubt that if God did make christians rich, we'd turn into better people. as the bible puts it, even our worldly fathers wouldn't give us anything bad, how much more so for our heavenly father with His infinite wisdom? i think, the more money we have, the more we'll sink into debauchery.

i am seriously worried about 'feel-good' churches. people listening to the sermons will all feel that life is a bed of roses with God by our sides. I think it is so much the opposite. Jesus led a hard life, and we are called to be Christ-like. we are called to be the light and salt of the world, and this light has to outshine the worldy pressures which we succumb to ever so easily. we are called to love, our neighbours and our enemies, and this is such a difficult task. its awfully difficult.

yet, i think these 'feel good' churches make the church-goers fair weather believers. if so, they dont qualify as believers at all. they should be just called fair weather church goers. when life's good, ppl are eager to serve and are thankful. [ i hope]. Before elaborating about the situation during the bad times in life, some information is needed about the end days.

the end days is a time when Jesus will come back to earth and judge everyone. there are two theories about what will happen.

one is that those who have finished running the spiritual race suddenly disappear from the face of the earth, and following that, those left behind will endure 7 years of horrible suffering on earth. this theory is based on the fact that the bible mentions that nobody knows when the end of times will arrive. it will be 'like a thief', striking at an unknown time. (yet, we know it is soon. we can see from the many predictions of the bible which have already come true, one of which is the reformatino of Israel. i have an article on that, come get it from me if you are curious)

the second theory is that the believers and the non-believers all will endure this 7 years of suffering together, and the believers who stand firm to their faith will then have truly finished the gruelling race. this theory is based on the fact that christians will suffer.

1 peter 4:12-19
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though some thing strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of CHrist, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. FOr it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (proverbs 11:31)

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."


From this verse, and the possible fact that christians may suffer during the 7 years, life is definitely not a bed of roses. I just feel that these 'feel-good' churches should not only continually tell the people what God'll do for you, and what wonderful things you shall receive, but also prepare them.

Nevertheless, i do not think that the suffering of the 7 years is the main issue right now. the main issue is the fact that christians, or those who claim they are, have stopped running the race. they see pretty flowers at the side, and proceed to look at it. they see shortcuts and pursue them, and they lead them further backward.

another type of runner is the kind which is running the straight path. they think the race is fun, and thats because it is easy to run. there's bound to be a mountain or a valley somewhere along the race, and they MUST prepare for it.

and another kind. the runner who runs with the wrong attitude. they think the spiritual race is a joke. as such, they do not run it properly, they behave like the backsliders or those at the start of the race. WAKE UP. stop your foolhardy behaviour and run properly.

there's a phrase which christians can abide by. WWJD? what would Jesus do? it can be a motto for life, as we are called to be christ-like. what kind of a life did Jesus live? he had no home, no money, couldn't bathe, no good food, yet he lived the most meaningful life ever. i think one of the most wonderful ways our lives can be blessed is for God to use us, to spread the word and get more people to know Him. but before helping others to run the race, we must run correctly with strong steps of faith.

and the book of Eccleciastes so wonderfully sums up life.

Eccleciastes 12:13-14
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

(i have a feeling there are several mistakes in this entry especially with information about the end days--the 7 years of suffering is a bit shady. i will clarify it ASAP. im writing this at 1.25 am, what do u expect!!)





matthew admired God's creations at 11:22 PM [comment]

***