Church Risk Factors

There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4: 4,5 NIV)

Motivating Monday!

It’s Motivating Monday! Let’s start the week with running shoes on as we cut to the chase. The above scripture settles all discussions. God declares His omnipotent power. I have a hard time with thoughts against Jesus and God’s Word. This is seen quite rapid on social media sights. Where does the breakdown happen?

Church/risk factors

We have hurting people in our world, our nation, and our communities. We need healthy churches. What is the risk? People turn away from the church. Why? We can identify four key areas:

Hypocrites. Matthew 15:7-9 NIV, You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain: their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

Modern Day Pharisees. Matthew 15: 12,-14 NIV, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?” He (Jesus) replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Self Righteous. Romans 12:3 NIV, For by the grace given me (Paul) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Evil Doers. Roman 1:29-32 NIV, They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents, they are senseless, faithless, ruthless.

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these things but also approve of those who practice them. (Isn’t this the exact scenario we see in practice today?)

At Risk: Souls

In a perfect world none of this would matter. We live if one bad spot on an apple, we throw the entire apple away. The same goes for the church. People look the opposite direction if they see any of these risk factors. We have to guard ourselves. Consider these points and ask Jesus to reveal any area that may be a risk factor to the church. I will do the same. What is at risk? Souls. Let’s be motivated to get real. To look deep within ourselves and our churches. Repent if needed. Sharpen iron with iron. Are nonsense conflicts within the church walls worth sending a soul to hell? No, it’s time we change to glorify God in all we do. May we honor you, dear Jesus.

Be encouraged!