Today I am reminded of another incident in my journey of faith. Salvation came in the dead of night in many ways many kilometres from home alone. One year later and back home, I sensed I needed more. There was more to salvation. So I walked into a major Pentecostal Church in the city. I until today marvel how cold the receptionists there are. The expectation i guess would be the warmth and love of Christ right there.....
Well, eventually I was guided to a pastor whom I understood was new to the church. I explained my quest for more in the salvation walk. He asked about my life and declared after about 20 minutes "you are not saved". He was the authority on the subject. Who was I to debate.
It hurt deeply for I sensed condemnation, judgement and rejection. I walked out with no answers. Salvation I later learnt is a step of faith, a personal decision to have a relationship with God and no one can be a judge of your convictions except the Lord Himself.
But you cannot quench that kind of thirst.
We went our seperate ways . Today he is a lead pastor in one of their branches after being a children's pastor for many years before getting his own kids. I shudder to think how many young souls were crashed by his judging spirit.
I, many years later discovered that there's is a New Believers Class; that's all he needed to do; point me in that direction. And the beautiful journey of sanctification that the Holy Spirit loving infuses in us.
I didn't get many years of theological studies , nor titles, fancy robes or large office like him but have sat in Gods arms and known mercy, grace and compassion. That's all I longed to know about. That's what many thirst for.
His word has come alive as whispers in the wind that seared my heart, fallen as gently as raindrops.
Nights He has gently woken me up and the easiest thing to do is worship in such poignant presence.
My point, the church has for some been a shelter, a refuge and for some they've received the worst condemnation there.
People are searching for answers. Its easy to let our personal feelings get in the way about the people who we meet as a church, but there are OPTIONS.
Guide people to the various church programs that structured churches run. About to judge that single mother? Provide options. Point them in some program. The youth who is struggling with the choices he's made about his sexuality, his career? Let the youth pastor step in and take it from there.
Christs church is orderly as it shares compassion and love and hope.
Titus 3:4-7 NIV
[4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
https://bible.com/bible/111/tit.3.4-7.NIV
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