Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. In this article I want to be candid with you and request that you open your heart and mind to understand the struggles that Christians encounter every day and the actions of those in Christendom who do us no favors.
I would like to open this up by using an analogy. When a person is a child they eat and drink whatever they desire. There is nothing that stops them from eating or drinking what they want or whenever they are hungry. When a child grows up they begin to notice changes in the body and the pressures of society force some to adhere and caution their eating and drinking habits. Whatever the reason or influence both good or bad, many go on the journey of losing weight. Many struggle to keep this weight off. There are those who are in this type of world who tell people that the only way for them to lose the weight is through a change of lifestyle, this includes eating differently and exercise. There are also those who advise that a person should be on a certain diet. While there are others who say that a person does not need to be on a diet or exercise all they need to do is take a certain pill, drink or wear a certain apparatus and the weight will fall off, it's that easy. While of course there are those who have just given up and have resorted to just wearing clothing to cover their weight.
I would at this time like to add another analogy. A person is raised in an environment that makes them adopt certain bad behaviors and addictions. These addictions disturb, disrupt and ruin a persons life and those around them. There comes a time when a person realizes that such addictions are hurting themselves and those they love, so they go on a journey to stop it. There are those who stop cold turkey and have no problems ever going back. While there are those who join a group such as AA, CA, GA, or some Recovery to help them stop. These support groups encourage a person to attend regularly, to have a sponsor or mentor and to avoid any environment or people who may drag them back into the life. We accept their advice. While there are those who try and try and then ultimately give up and just live in their addictions no matter what the circumstances are.
Now I had said all that to say this. People have been raised and been born into a sinful state. There comes a time when a person comes to Christ and is called out of this life. They realize that their life needs to change and that if they continue in the way they are at they will either end up in Hell at judgment day or end up living like it is Hell now. So a person comes to Christ and is encountered by a lot of advice and teachings. There are those who advise a person to live a holy life. To stop sinning and obey God. To form their life around good works and separate themselves from sinners and others who follow sin. To abhor and hate sin and hate anything that has any part of sin. That if such a person does sin, they are to repent and get back up and ask God to give them the strength to endure. These people demand if not require the believer in Christ to have a set of standards including involvement in the Church, Prayer and Reading the Bible. The Christian struggles, falls and gets back up again. They do this all their life. They struggle, fall and get back up again. Then they continue to be the best servant and yet they struggle, fall but they get back up again. Even though they know it is a struggle they never give up fighting.
Then there are those who come in and give the advice that all they need is grace. That Christianity is not about do's and don'ts and that God forgives and his grace covers our sins. That we are not to worry about our salvation but rather to love Jesus and love those around us. That sinners are our friends and that we should accept and love everyone as Jesus did. That while they do not advocate sin, they do not instruct on any type of holy lifestyle separate of sin and the sinner. They teach that works has no part of our salvation. That all we need is faith and love and that our Faith in Christ is sufficient.
As a Christian I have struggled in my life in Christ. I have had to battle many demons and skeletons in my closet as do many in Christianity. I have been involved in Churches and Teachings that have taught under both spectrums and in between. From those who teach holiness and separation and from those who teach grace and everything is surrounded and covered in grace and love. So here is what I have to say those who teach about grace and that Christianity is not about do's and don'ts, PLEASE DO NOT DO ME ANY FAVORS. You do not help me in my walk in Christ. As a matter of fact you put a stumbling block in front of me. You think that teaching that God has nothing but love and grace and no chastisement or punishment for me is doing me a favor, well it does not. I need to have a form of fear and life of holiness. I know that God loves me, I know that God has saved me by His love and only by His grace, I know it is not anything I have done that saves me, but now that I am saved I do not want to sin no more. You telling me that God loves me no matter what is not helping me. That God has forgiven all my sins, past, present and future is not helping me. As a matter of fact this type of teaching only makes me not care when I sin. It does not give me any form of consideration to others or have a spirit of holiness or desire to continue in a life of holiness. Please do not get me wrong. I know what God has done for me and I know what God is doing in me and what God will be doing through me but I do not need someone to tell me my bad actions mean nothing and my good actions mean nothing. Your talk of God loves me and your instructions that Christianity is not about works is not helping me. So please stop.
Reminding people of the love of God is good and thank you. Reminding people of the punishment of God is good also. There must be a balance. Warning Labels on products and foods serve a purpose. We demand them and require them. The nutritional and ingredent labels are necessary. They tell us what we are eating and how much of what we are eating. They protect us and we never complain about any label no matter how ridiculous they may seem. Like this package of peanuts may contain peanuts.
If the Church is the Bride of Christ and I am a child, I need to know that Dad is coming home soon and He better find me on my best behavior. I need to struggle with my sin when it appears. I need to be tough on myself. I need to hate my sin. I need to hate sin. I need to be told to do my chorus and to make sure they are done right. I need to be held accountable and spanked when I do wrong. I need to be told what to do and how to do it. I know that whatever I do has not saved me, but I also know that whatever I do or do not do may save me from myself and others.
Thank you for telling me that God had died for me and that God has forgiven me and that God has saved me, but please tell me to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!! Please tell me to RUN THE RACE!! AND PLEASE also tell me TO GO AND SIN NO MORE!!
- Bishop & Pastor Michael Salman
Harvest Christian Fellowship - Alethian Christian Church
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