A good Christian ??

[polkaman]

I was dismayed the other day when
The pastor said a good Christian
Goes to church on Sunday and pays
Their bills.
I sometimes miss church since I have
Work that must done, since I'm a
One person operation.
Also due to when crops are harvested
Or small crops or low prices, there are
Times I may need to put a bill off
For a while, or pay the full amount.
I'm not proud of this, or happy, but
It happens.
I try, I'm not perfect, I attend services fairly
Regular, help out with church programs
And projects.
I try to be like Jesus, but I'm human
And make mistakes, which I'm
Sorry for.

Just what is a ""good Christian"" ?

 

[Stringfellow_Hawke]

I was dismayed the other day when
The pastor said a good Christian
Goes to church on Sunday and pays
Their bills.
I sometimes miss church since I have
Work that must done, since I'm a
One person operation.
Also due to when crops are harvested
Or small crops or low prices, there are
Times I may need to put a bill off
For a while, or pay the full amount.
I'm not proud of this, or happy, but
It happens.
I try, I'm not perfect, I attend services fairly
Regular, help out with church programs
And projects.
I try to be like Jesus, but I'm human
And make mistakes, which I'm
Sorry for.

Just what is a ""good Christian"" ?

He seems to be forgetting no one is perfect.

 

[John Bowen]

And Jesus said unto him , why callest thou me good ? None is good , save one , that is , God . Luke 18:19

 

[Greg J.]

I was dismayed the other day when
The pastor said a good Christian
Goes to church on Sunday and pays
Their bills.
I sometimes miss church since I have
Work that must done, since I'm a
One person operation.
Also due to when crops are harvested
Or small crops or low prices, there are
Times I may need to put a bill off
For a while, or pay the full amount.
I'm not proud of this, or happy, but
It happens.
I try, I'm not perfect, I attend services fairly
Regular, help out with church programs
And projects.
I try to be like Jesus, but I'm human
And make mistakes, which I'm
Sorry for.

Just what is a ""good Christian"" ?

There are some pastors who do not recognize that knowing the truth does not translate directly into what to teach. Teaching from the pulpit is to many different listeners in many different stages in their faith in Jesus and knowledge of the Scripture/Truth. What he said is ambiguous, therefore not a good thing to teach.

A fully devoted follower of Christ who is mature in Spirit (which has been < 1% of the congregation at the churches I've attended) will have Jesus' heart (and knowledge and wisdom). As a result, such a person could be said to be good (risky) who happens to have chosen to go to church on Sundays and pay their bills (signs of being that kind of person). In this case goodness, being faithful in one's payments, and going to church are all effects, not causes and effects.

But what he said is false if he meant that a person is good if he goes to church on Sunday and pays his bills. Going to church and meeting ones obligations faithfully can be signs of (1) those strong in Christ (as above), (2) those seeking to draw closer to Christ, (3) those that simply have that self-discipline, (4) those who are frightened of being rejected (judged) by others, and (5) those who are driven by a guilty conscience. There's undoubtedly more, but hopefully you get my point.

By the way, no one can be good without the work of the Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23, 1984 NIV)

Note that teaching people to be obedient to God is commanded by Jesus (Matthew 28:20).

 

[Kit Sigmon]

I was dismayed the other day when
The pastor said a good Christian
Goes to church on Sunday and pays
Their bills.
I sometimes miss church since I have
Work that must done, since I'm a
One person operation.
Also due to when crops are harvested
Or small crops or low prices, there are
Times I may need to put a bill off
For a while, or pay the full amount.
I'm not proud of this, or happy, but
It happens.
I try, I'm not perfect, I attend services fairly
Regular, help out with church programs
And projects.
I try to be like Jesus, but I'm human
And make mistakes, which I'm
Sorry for.

Just what is a ""good Christian"" ?

There going to be sermons that going to prick and make many uncomfortable.
This happened in the Bible as well.
If something applies, consider and do better/repent...if it don't apply, listen
and pray for those who aren't there or unable to pay their bills, give tithes etc.

Generally pastors aren't preaching at someone who miss church every
once in awhile, their aim is at those who are consistently missing from church,
they don't give, they rarely come to church activities such a work-bee, meetings, fellowship suppers etc.

The church we attend has farmers and people who work on farms such as my
husband... people know and the minister know this.
If the topic comes up about missing church, tithes/offering falling short, not
much help for work bee-s, low attendance etc...you know he's talking about
those who have a regular pattern of missing church, not giving, not participating.