I’m nondenominational although I’ve been more associated with Baptist churches all my life. I currently attend a Messianic congregation on Saturdays and an Evangelical Free Church on Sundays. Both are biblically based and Christ-centered. I get to preach and teach in the first one and mostly teach in the other one. Pat and I have been received with open arms in both churches. We’re fed the Word, encouraged to love the Lord, and motivated to serve Him with our spiritual gifts wherever He sends us. Unfortunately, in many denominations and churches, politics and favoritism are on the top of their agendas which blurs their vision to effectively and sincerely execute the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). Bigness and greatness are their objectives veiled in false humility and impressive benevolence. For many, deception is the right “game” and hypocrisy is a way of life. From the time of my calling into the ministry (at 21 in the fall of 1968) until now, I have experienced, seen, and heard (verifiable) things that baffled and disillusioned me so much so that at one time (1969) I considered leaving the ministry and possibly the Faith. It seemed like “all hell broke loose” on me. It was too much for me as a young believer/preacher. But, over the years the Lord put riveted some valuable thoughts in my mind:
(1) Don’t turn against Him because of hypocritical Christians,
(2) Remain faithful to Him by strongly adhering to His Word,
(3) Consider my own imperfections and repent of them,
(4) Be thankful for God’s forgiveness and grace,
(5) Desire and claim the filling of the Holy Spirit,
(6) Stay in His Word and obey it, and
(7) “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).
So, my personal testimony is, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me”(Galatians 2:20).
Blessings!
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