Monday, March 29, 2010
One of the things that bugs me the most about the Easter season, is not the Holiday itself (which is due to how somehow the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ somehow turned into a bunny who gives chocolate eggs I am calling it Resurrection Sunday), but how so many people seem to perform their annual duty to go to church on Resurrection Sunday and feel like they have filled their religious obligation for the year.A friend of mine once referred to these people as "Chreasters", the people who only go to church on Christmas Eve and Easter. There are so many people like that out there in the world and it has irritated me so much in the past.
I think lately though, my heart towards these type of people has been slowly changing. Not that I agree with these people, who some might be fake Christians, but actually for something that my Pastor told me not too long ago. This is a great opportunity for these people who only go to church maybe once or twice a year to listen to the message of TRUTH, of how God sent His only Son to this wicked and depraved world to pay for OUR SINS. Many people might have heard about this, others believe that Jesus, Buddha, Muhammed, they are all the same, but this is a perfect opportunity to reach out the lost in our communities and I encourage you to do so.
Don't be like I have been in the past so upset and focused on how people only go to church on big holidays out of tradition, because nothing good comes out of that, instead, think of the positive impact that could occur in their hearts.
Now there are different ways one can avoid becoming a "Chreaster".
You can choose just not to attend church at all and decide that God doesn't need to meet in a building------> Well, to many this might sound like a good idea, but you leave out the fellowship part that we are called to have with other believers, not just that but you do run the risk of coming up with your own ideologies that can lead you away from the truth.
I think the most important one starts with having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, getting to know Him, fellowship with our Lord. Without it, you do not grow, therefore you do not progress in your walk. You get the desire to serve and do ministry from this. Having a daily relationship is the key.
Is it easy??? I never said it would be, in fact I would say it is not, and I am not trying to scare you if you do not know Jesus Christ, but it is a reality that many evangelists and even churches don't mention when talking to unbelievers about the subject of salvation, they "forget" to mention that life doesn't get any easier and lead them to believe that by saying a prayer, life magically gets solved.
I like Luke 9:23 and what is said in this verse:
Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, [fn] and follow Me.
This verse clearly says DAILY, not just on Sunday or the once or twice times you might show up at church per year (if you're a "Chreaster"). It is not easy, but with Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
Last but not least, I want to leave you with a warning about legalism that I have learned about lately (hence the title also mentions legalism). It is easy to get caught up in the things we do, even as part of leadership at churches. I know at Calvary Chapel Three Crosses I am very blessed to be a part of the leadership and eventhough it seems like sometimes I do a lot around the church, to me it brings me great joy to know that I am doing it to serve the Lord and that is what I try to pass along to the people that work with me in the ministry I am in charged of.
But sometimes it is easy to get wrapped up and as personal example I can tell you that I have been in the place of doing things just to do them, because it is what is expected of me, it is in those times I remind myself of who I am serving and why I am serving Him.
I will look more into the subject of legalism in the future since it is something I have learned a great deal about, but for now I leave you with this.
Have a blessed Holy week. Remember that Easter is not about painting eggs, putting them in a basket and telling stories about a bunny that brings you candy and chocolate (which I still don't understand how that heck that came about), but focus on the real reason, the RISEN CHRIST, the Messiah who came to fulfill the law and who paid that very expensive price for our sins so that we may be with our Father, Abba, Maker for all eternity.
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