Hurt by the church. Hurt by the fellowship of believers
Hebrews 10:23-25
Forsake not the fellowship of believers
Churches and Christian religious institutions hurt people. This is a known fact. It happens everywhere and will most likely happen to you too at one point or the other. Not only Christian institutions hurt people. Other institutions cause anguish to others too, however my focus here is Christians and children of GOD.
Some reasons for trauma found in the Christian service areas are:
1. Immature believers. Some believers remain childish. They refuse to grow spiritually. They remain stuck consuming milk. They are selfish and want their own way even in the ministry. Pettiness and pouting are their hallmarks.
2. Worldly believers. These hide well in the church. When push comes to shove, the claws will show and someone will get hurt.
3. Witchcraft and occultism
4. Absence of The HOLY SPIRIT and HIS leading. Where The LORD is not there, prepare for antichrist spirit.
5. Envy of the gifts others have been given. The Bible says if you desire a gift, go to The HOLY SPIRIT HE gives the gifts. Ask HIM for the gifts. It does not say kill, attack or be jealous of the person with the gift and you will get their gifts.
Some have vowed never to go to churches again. Some forgot about the scriptures and went back to their own worlds. Many are not sure what to do with their faith any more.
Is this supposed to be the case? Of course not, but we live in a fallen world with people who are in desperate need of the saving grace of JESUS CHRIST and the benefits of a renewed spirit.
Our SAVIOR and GOD JESUS CHRIST came to earth and was dealt with skillfully, treacherously, harshly and unfairly by the religious institution of that time. None less than Caiaphas ,the High Priest skillfully orchestrated the betrayal, torture and death of CHRIST. Before that, there were several attempts to trap JESUS CHRIST. All from religious leaders.
They were used to dealing with such problems. It was their nature. They involved all who could be involved in building up a case against our SAVIOR. At the end of the day,our SAVIOR ended up on the cross but on the third day HE rose again, to the consternation of the religious leaders of the day who to this day coined up the lie that JESUS did not rise again.
Such things happen today, children of GOD are trapped, harassed, tormented, falsely accused, tortured, maimed , some even die and worse still some lose their salvation in the hands of the church and become blasphemers, atheists etc. Other sheep see, fear, run away and others learn to play the game and manipulate the Christian system. You hear believers complaining that churches are run like cartels and if you do not play, you will face the wrath of the powers that be. There is nothing new here. It all happened to CHRIST JESUS. Beloved, HE understands our struggles. HE’s been there. So, be encouraged.
Beloved, let us look at how our SAVIOR responded to the religious institutions of the day.
First, HE complied with the laws and commandments and fulfilled them. All of them. HE correctly interpreted scripture and used it in accordance with GOD’s will when faced with circumstances that required HIS intervention and attention. For example when dealing with the woman caught in adultery.
Secondly, HE understood the purpose and position of the synagogue.
Thirdly, HE understood HIMSELF and HIS purpose in the synagogue, the community and the world. HE did not let the religious leaders of the time get to HIM or break HIM down before HE accomplished HIS purpose. All of us need this. May The LORD grant us power to stand and fulfill our purposes in the midst of great persecution, even if it be from the churches and ministries we serve in , in JESUS NAME. AMEN
Fourthly, HE was not afraid of them. As need arose, HE confronted them. Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 23:33.
Fifthly, HE concentrated on HIS ministry and avoided unnecessary drama.
Beloved, we must be aware of these things and act like JESUS. We must use HIS approach. It is better than sinking into depression. It beats losing your salvation hands down. At one point, our SAVIOR said that salvation is of the Jews, like it or not. We have to know how to handle trouble when it emanates from the most unlikely area and hopefully by the grace of GOD escape with our salvation and faith in JESUS CHRIST intact.
We must be aware of what GOD has called us to do in a particular congregation and do it properly to its fruition.
We should not be cowed, depressed or beaten down.
Let us not be intimidated, threatened, scared or hounded out. Once you have fulfilled your assignment, you are free to leave just like CHRIST finished his work and went to heaven. HE left the religious leaders and their drama behind.
I know the atrocities committed in the church, by the church against the sheep are enormous and hurtful but by the power of GOD , you must arise above these atrocities and fulfill the command in Matthew 28:19. There are no excuses on judgment day against those who hurt you or broke you and your precious heart in to a thousand pieces. GOD will deal with them and HE will deal with you too for abandoning HIS work which HE entrusted to you.
So Beloved, get back to work. Clean your wounds. Ask JESUS and other mature people for help and get back to work. When all this is said and done, it will be reward time, crown time and we will rejoice with HIM who sent us. Remember, the church did not send you. It is JESUS who called and sent you.
The LORD HIMSELF provide you with what you need to fulfill your mandate.
If you are still in the place of healing, here are a few tips:
1. Build and strengthen your personal relationship with CHRIST. It is dependent on you and HIM. Not on others and institutions. It is a personal relationship between JESUS CHRIST and you. Hold onto HIM, HE is holding on to you. The institutions are important, yes, but CHRIST comes first. Do not turn your church or ministry into an idol.
2, Pray for you. Do not depend on the prayers of others or assume that they are praying for you.
3. Make use of online ministries where you can heal, recover and be ministered to privately and anonymously. However, a time will come you will have to come out here and meet the brothers and sisters in CHRIST and continue with the work of bringing in the harvest. So, rebuild yourself. The LORD will help you. HE is faithful and HE will intervene when it is too much for you to bear.
4. Make use of the HOLY SPIRIT inspired music available. Allow The HOLY SPIRIT to use the songs to minister to you.
5. Cry. And tell The LORD exactly how you feel. Be ready to hear HIS perspective and also get HIS rebuke. Be ready to forgive and let go. Be ready to pray for your persecutors, who knows they might have been your trainers.
As for you, torturers of the servants of The LORD, You who torture and torment the children of GOD such that they fear to serve The LORD and run away from their appointed service. Then you turn against them with curses and twisted scripture, making them almost to go mad. I declare, they will not go mad, but as for you: Woe to you. We are told that ministry overseers should be temperate among other traits and handle the sheep carefully , in other words be good shepherds. If you persist in devouring the sheep, you had better know what you will say when you meet The OWNER of the sheep.
Some of the behavior that goes on in the church is not tolerated even in the world. The lawsuits themselves plus the backlash are enough to make people think twice about their treatment of others. Or are we still unconsciously calling for regulation from GOD haters? Do not say you were not warned.
Shalom. Beloved, The LORD loves you and so do I.
