Why Stay?

 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

We really do not live like we believe that obedience brings blessing. This may mean there are some who do not know God promises this. There may be some who know, but do not believe it. And, there are some who know, but are more concerned about what man thinks than what God says.

We are pretty obedient about what we consider  the “big” stuff. We do not murder or commit adultery. We are horrified at the brutal killing of young black men and we are quick to acknowledge the conviction of sin when we lie or gossip too much.

But, if God instructs us to do something we don’t like, we ignore Him.

There are some sitting in church, listening to “sermons” that they know are saying nothing, not growing in faith or understanding of the Word of God, pretty sure that the Lord is prompting them to leave.  They stay.

Reasons for staying : “I have been there for years,”  “I have seen the young adults grow up from birth,” “I have friends there who won’t understand.” “I want to hear the rest of this sermon series.”

Where is the Lord in that reasoning? Who is the priority in our lives?

When we see hypocritical, even unbiblical behavior or teaching from leadership, isn’t it right to question them (Matthew 18:15-18)?  It must be done respectfully, finding out first, if our impressions are true. If they are, and we see no repentance, no change, no turning to the Word of God for instruction on how to lead the Church of Jesus Christ, why do we stay?

God rarely works in spectacular ways. If we are waiting for a “sign” or some big event to lead us out,  we may be stuck for a long time. He wants us to use our minds, to reason with biblical truth to understand His expectations of His church.

Ultimately, we all have to answer this question: Will we live for the glory of God, growing and serving Him where He is exalted, or, will we live in the fear of man, staying where we are comfortable, not where God wants us to be?

Obedience to God brings blessing, Deuteronomy 30:16 promises,  If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.  

All of that will be easier to do if we are hearing the truth and growing in faith every week as we hear His Word faithfully preached.

Obedience still brings blessing.