Short Blog: Churches in America

I never thought I'd be blogging on this, but I felt a need for it today. You know, one of the biggest problems with churches in America today is comparison. No longer do churches compare themselves to God's Word. It is now to other churches. "But this church does this." "Oh, look at how bad that church is!" "They have this equipment, we should get it too!"

I'm here to tell you- NO! Shall I say it again? NO! N-O-! The church is not the pastor's, it is the Lord's! God owns the church!

"God has put everything under the control of Christ. He has made Christ the head of everything for the good of the church. The church is Christ’s body and completes him as he fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:22-23 GW)

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything to the glory of God. Don’t cause others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, or members of God’s church. I try to please everyone in every way. I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved." (1 Corinthians 10: 31-33)

"However, you are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not God’s people, but now you are. Once you were not shown mercy, but now you have been shown mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)

"The opposite is true. The parts of the body that we think are weaker are the ones we really need.  The parts of the body that we think are less honorable are the ones we give special honor. So our unpresentable parts are made more presentable. However, our presentable parts don’t need this kind of treatment. God has put the body together and given special honor to the part that doesn’t have it.  God’s purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness." (1 Corinthians 12:22-26)

We live in a culture where comparison is the name of the game. If you don't look a certain way, act a certain way, do a certain thing, then you aren't worthy or good enough. Well I'm here to tell you today, that is a lie straight from the Devil! That goes for people and the church as a whole! Don't compare yourselves to worldly standards but to godly standards. God's way is the only thing that will stand sure forever. Besides, doesn't comparison bring a lot of envy and discontent? I mean who wants that? People look down on Christians today because we compare just like the world does. We try to be better or just as good as one another. What kind of example is that setting? Why should people go to church or follow God if its just comparing one another? You wanna make a change in the world and turn America around? Stand up and use God's Word as the standard. It is a much more content lifestyle because you're only trying to please God and not the whole world. Shall I get off my soap box now? ;)