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« April 4, 2008 | April 4, 2008 | April 4, 2008 » Student MinistryPosted on April 4, 2008 ...
Where is the love? It's a simple question that should be followed with a simple answer, "the church." However the sad truth is that most people who are searching for love aren't finding it from the church. Matthew 5:43 reads "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." So simply stated, yet very misunderstood, or worse perhaps ignored. It seems to me that most churches in America have done the exact opposite. We love those who are like us and hate those who are different. Just as fellow Christians are our neighbors, so are the drug addicts, homosexuals, sexually immoral, alcoholics, liars, adulterers, murderers, and the list goes on. However, instead of loving these people, we seem to do the exact opposite. It's definitely not easy to love those who are different from us, in fact I think it's more difficult for us to wrap our minds around the fact that maybe they aren't so different from us. Maybe that's what makes us uncomfortable. The student ministry has been tackling hot topics all month (divorce, self destruction, cutting, and anorexia) this month we will continue with issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and addictions. In the past few weeks we have had students come to hear truth. I have had the awesome opportunity to speak with students who are struggling or have struggled with depression, anger, cutting, homosexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and an array of addictions. I praise God every week when a student realizes the freedom that only Christ can give from these things, and I rejoice when they come here and find the love of Christ being lived out. It's then that I also realized that perhaps the church has it's own addiction at times, the addiction of loving ourselves more than our enemies. Let's never forget where the love is... He lives in our hearts. Much Love, Nathan |
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North Cleveland
Baptist Church · 2815 North Ocoee Street · Cleveland,
Tennessee 37312 · (423) 476-8524 |
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