OUTSIDERS By: Patsy Weiser
Have you ever felt like an outsider - shunned by people who made you feel as if you didn’t belong - whether it was socially, politically, economically, etc? One place we should definitely not feel like an outsider is in the religious circle. Yet, often this is where many people feel it the most - and from supposed “Christians” at that!
God never intended for us to have various denominations that cause people to be outsiders. You can search the Bible cover to cover and you will never find it. Denominations are man-made. They are created to build a wall around a certain theology or practice and wall people in and keep others out that do not agree with it.
God created the church - period! The church is supposed to be made up of believers - believers in the Bible and the truths and principles established within its pages. Not a church caught up in man-made rules and ideas.
We need to get back to the basics of pure, unadulterated religion - where the entire gospel is preached - just like Paul did in the New Testament. He referred to it as “the Gospel” because there is only one. He said in Galatians 1: 6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” Many so called “churches” currently are doing just that - preaching another gospel.
People today want the truth - not a watered down message to make them feel good. Church should be a place we go to hear the uncompromised word of God being taught. This Word will force us to examine ourselves and change. If it doesn’t, then we are just “playing church” and basically wasting our time. “Feel good” messages do nothing for our personal spiritual growth. And if we are not growing, we are backing up!!!
With God, there are no outsiders. He doesn’t care what social circle you come from or don’t come from. He looks at the heart. All He wants is someone who desires a relationship with Him and is hungry and thirsty for what He has to offer. Will you take Him up on His offer?
(Bible verses taken from the New International Version)