The Reason I Want To Leave Church
Why do some people want to leave the church? What is going on in many churches that people are running away?
There are many people who feel like leaving church. This article is not to slander Christianity or the church. This article is to find a solution in our lives as Christians. There is a problem in the church and we need to fix it. The other day a youth came to me and said that he wanted to leave church. The reason was because there are too many hypocrites and gossiper. Well, that is the story of many people. We will talk about hypocrisy and gossip later on.
I don't want to only talk negative about the church because there are some positives too. We have to understand that the church is the people. So, when we say, we don't want to go to church, we are really saying that we don't want to be around certain people. So, you decide to stop going to the church or to the place of meeting. The people supposed to gather to this place of meeting to worship GOD and listen to messages or sermons so that we can become better in our lives. We need to know what is wrong with us in order to correct and become more Christ-like. The Bible, which is the most powerful book ever written has the answers to all of our problems.
I'm going to list reasons why people don't want to go to church anymore:
Legalism, gossip, hypocrisy, struggle in their life, cannot find solution to their problem, I don't understand the bible, l don't understand life, I cannot stop sinning, I don't get the church thing.
I will cover these subjects here and lets try to find a solution. I will give a solution, but you are more than welcome to write your input at the bottom of this article.
Let's talk about the problem that many of the churches have. There are churches who are legalistic. Legalism is a problem in many churches especially in some Pentecostal church. I know, I know the Pentecostals are getting mad at me now. I was raised in a Pentecostal church and still am in a Pentecostal church, but I found Truth. I don't let their rules and regulations define me like before. When I say, "I found Truth", that means that I have research the Bible to come up with a solution. In other words, "The Bible is Truth" John 17.
Why Churches Die?
What is legalism?
Legalism is a strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code. Legalism has taken over many of the Pentecostal churches. Many of these churches are in denial. They deny that they are legalistic because they don't know what legalism is. Legalism is not in the bible, but the action of the word is.
Examples of legalism: In order to be saved you must follow these rules: No pants for women, No Jewelry, No make-up, No goatee, No facial hair, No long hair for men, Women must not cut her hair, Man shall not wear shorts.
Legalism is man made rules and tradition that has been past down through many years. You have to look a certain way in order for you to be accepted. They twist the Scriptures and try to make the people believe, that we must follow these rules to be saved. You cannot work to be saved. Legalism is invisible to those who are legalistic.
One day I went to a church, they had a special service and the theme was "Defending Holiness". Seven youth was preaching that day. One by one they preached their point of view about "defending holiness". They all came up with the same conclusion. Their conclusions were, if you don't look a certain way you will go to hell. They covered the list of examples that I gave above.
I felt sad that day, because they were youth with this mentality. They truly believe that holiness is about an outer appearance. They believe that by doing these few adjustment in their outer appearance that GOD would be pleased with them. They also twisted Scriptures to explained their belief.
Legalism in the church is very damaging because it focuses on the outward of the person and their works, but not the person's heart. Legalism demands that we fix ourselves before we relate to GOD. Legalism has more requirements than GOD.
What are the requirements of GOD?
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 8-10
"He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8
We should treat each other with love and respect. No matter how a person looks, or how they worship GOD. The changes that a person has to do in their life, only GOD, The Holy Spirit can do it. We just help each other by encouraging one another to keep moving forward.
Many say holiness is from inside and out. Which means that your outer appearance has to be a certain way. Once again the long list of rules tells you how to look "holy". Hebrews 12:14 says, "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." We must be holy, which means we have to be set apart for GOD. We must be different than the world.
Righteousness comes through faith in Christ, Philippians 3:9. Righteousness is more about outward obedience, while holiness is more about inner purity and motivation. When you study about what GOD really wants from us, you come to a conclusion that HE wants us to be obedient and pure. Our behavior must be holy, set apart, different than the world with a pure heart.
Let's rebuild the Church
Hipocrisy and Gossip in the Church
Gossip destroys and sometimes it is half the truth or the truth that does not need to be said. The bible does not say the word gossip, but it does talks about busybodies and tattlers. These are things that are going on the churches. You may say, but gossip and hypocrisy always existed in the church. I say, that if God allowed you to read this blog, it is because GOD doesn't want you to be one of those people who gossip or are a hypocrite. Let us be honest with ourselves and admit that sometimes we love to hear stories.
1 Tim 5:13, "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they should not.
Hypocrisy has been going on for century. It is very sad that this is going on in the church. I'm talking about leaders, pastors, evangelist. I can't believe these people. GOD called us to make a difference in the world. I am not writing this blog because I want to. I am writing it because we are losing a lot of our youth to gangs and to bad influence because we don't know how to treat them right.
The Pharisees were well known for being hypocrites. A hypocrite is a person who pretends to be what he is not. People have struggles, and they hide themselves because they don't know who to trust. We have a lot of people in church who wants a solution to their problem. Jumping up and down and speaking in tongues is not going to solve the problem. Let's get it together church. We are the body of Christ and we supposed to heal each other, no matter the situation. GOD forgave us when we did not deserve it.
LIVE WHAT YOU PREACH AND LIVE THE WORD OF GOD.
Don't put excuses for your hypocrisy, just learn how to be Christ like. If your brother or sister did something wrong, approach them with love.
Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Galatians 6:1
LET'S LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!!!!!!!!
The role of the church
What is the Church for?
The church supposed to come together (or assembles) to bring each person to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13). The church reaches out to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to unbelievers in the world (Matthew 28:18-20). So, the purpose of the church is to minister to believers and unbelievers.
The church is a place where we should worship and praise GOD as one. Not allowing the enemy to take advantage of our weaknesses. We should help each other in our time of need. There will moments when only GOD will be the only solution to your problem. This is because He want us to trust Him and increase our faith.
Love is the main idea of the church. Love conquers ALL
Struggling in the church
What is your struggle? What are you going through? Identify the problem, name your situation. Come before GOD and present your complaints. Tell HIM what is going on with you, even if you feel uncomfortable speaking about your issue. Let GOD know what is going on. You cannot say, "God already know my struggle". Healing starts when you speak out what is going on with you. The Holy Spirit will minister to your heart.
DON'T GIVE UP GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON YOU
Pray at home and read the Word daily.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6