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Three Things We Need to Get Right

Order, Tithes, and Discipleship

Let me start by saying this: I am not a theologian. I haven't even read all the way through the entire Bible yet. But I will say this — my personality about the Bible, about my faith, about my love for Christ, is dogmatic. To a fault sometimes. I 100% believe every single word of the Bible. I believe it's true. And I know Jesus is alive.

So when I say "the church got something wrong," let me be clear about what I mean. Technically, the church is not a building. The church is us — Christians, believers, authentic believers of Christ, and our salvation and all that that carries. But for what I'm about to share, I'm talking about the church as in the religion, the assembly, the building, the congregation, the whole setup and structure of it.

By the grace of God, I received the gift of the Holy Spirit at nine years old. I didn't understand it in that aspect at the time, but when I tell you, He showed up and showed out each and every time. That is a fact. So I have always come from a place of I don't just believe something because you said it. I don't just take it in just because you say it's so. I run things over. I sit with them. And there are some things I have never been able to make peace with.

Speaking In Tongues

When I see the expression — or the topic being taught — of speaking in this gibberish, and yes, I'm saying gibberish, I want to say something else but we're talking about the Lord right now and I'm going to keep it here — to embrace that, and to use Bible verses from Acts to support it, I just don't get it.

From my understanding, yes, there is the gift of speaking in tongues. Back when the disciples were sharing the Word, they needed to be able to communicate with people of different languages and cultures. So I do believe that. It could even be that there were unknown languages being communicated. But from my understanding, you had to have an interpreter present at the time.

For one, I just don't see God having it the way it's done today, because it seems like chaos. And the assembly of God's people is structure. Is order. God doesn't reside in chaos. He's not about out-of-control type stuff.

And here's the other thing — that could be such a deterrent for a young, newly born Christian, or even someone that's just thinking about coming to Christ. Why would we even take that chance with somebody's salvation?

I have battled with this for years. Because if you're a pastor reading the Word and teaching the Word and you truly believe in this, do you really believe that this utterance — where you have no clue what you're saying — is something you're praying to God? What's the purpose? God is about purpose. And it's not like He needs it. It's like we need it. We need to know that God is able. So why this? It just seems so out of place.

Tithing

I don't get it. And then it actually seems like it's a put-down on God, technically.

Look at the smaller church that's not able to bring tithes in. Now they're begging the congregation. Please give more. The light bill is going to be cut off. You're looking towards the people instead of looking towards the Lord to provide for His own house. The house of worship.

And then go to the other end of the spectrum — the mega churches saying give a hundred thousand, this is what God wants you to do. Meanwhile these pastors are running around with jets and cars and a whole lavish lifestyle. I don't get it either. It's such a con.

And what I don't get is the people who don't see it. But yes, I do get it — because the Word says their eyes are shut to it. They're seeing what they want to see. And I'm not saying all. But it's a lot.

Discipleship

This one I have struggled with from the beginning, and it's a little better now, but not by much.

I have been to a few churches that say they do discipleship. I'd show up like, aren't I supposed to have a disciple class? Aren't you going to walk me through this? And it never really happened.

I think discipleship would be such an amazing thing. To take that new Christian up under your wing. Or even that veteran Christian who doesn't know certain things. Or even just somebody who needs a refresh. To walk them through the fundamentals, the foundation of this amazing gift, this grace we have received.

And I'm not saying you need discipleship to know God — because the Holy Spirit will reveal it all to you. But you have to feed your spirit. You have to open and release yourself to be filled with the Word. You have to be filled with it initially, so the Spirit has something to bring up in you.

What I Know For Sure

As long as we're here — as long as we are in this temporary place — there are going to be things we get wrong about God. There will continue to be things that we can only hope He will enlighten us to once we meet Him in glory.

So more than us talking about what the church got wrong about God — how about each part, each element of this body of Christ, this temple, the church, the people — how about we take responsibility for ourselves? To share the Word accurately. With the power of the Holy Spirit leading us and guiding us to share God's amazing love.

Juss be that.

One sows the seed. Another waters. Another does this. Another does that. But God really does it all.

It is an honor. It is a pleasure. I am so not worthy. But I am so thankful that God chose me.

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