be a Christian all you want, but...

I saw this story on GodVine. You may have as well.  I wanted to share it here because it made me sick, ashamed, disgusted, and confirmed I’m a hypocrit.  I could have been one of those church members.  I have been one of those church members.  How many times have I walked past someone obviously in need, or sitting at a traffic light looking straight ahead to avoid eye contact with the man or woman standing on the corner holding a sign?  TOO MANY TIMES!

I put money in the Christmas Salvation Army bucket. I donate clothes, household goods...  No, forget what I do.  I’m pretty sure non-Christians do these things as well. Instead, I’ll focus on what I don’t do.  I have purposely missed many of the opportunities I should and could have taken.  So, there have been times I’ve handed money out the window.  Maybe every bill I had (I generally have very little.)  But, God told me to.  It’s amazing how later, I may find a bill tucked away I wasn’t aware of.  Hmm...  How about that...  But, what about money plus a Christian tract or a small New Testament?  Food for the body and food for the soul.  I CAN DO THAT!

God has provided hubs and me with a home with a good roof, cool air and warm heat, food in the fridge, food in the freezer, the necessary things and SO MUCH MORE.  So, we donate to the food drives at Christmas.  What about the food banks currently in dire need now?  The economy and unemployment are overwhelming the demand for food, fans, and essential items needed.  There just aren’t enough resources.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?  WHAT ELSE SHOULD I DO?  WHAT ELSE MUST I DO?

Soul searching time for me... 

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A Pastor transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000-member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service, only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food – no one in the church gave him change.



He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares, dirty looks, and people looking down on him. As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. “We would like to introduce to you our new Pastor.” The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle. The clapping stopped with all eyes on him. He walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment then he recited,

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ ‘The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry, and many heads were bowed in shame. He then said, “Today I see a gathering of people, not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples. When will YOU decide to become disciples?” He then dismissed service until next week.


Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ should be more than just talk. It ought to be a lifestyle that others around you can love about you and share in.” Be a Christian all you want, but at least follow the teachings of Christ if you’re going to claim the title.
 
(Matthew 25:35-45)