artybloke said:
No excuse. Jesus annoyed most the people who were in authority - the priests & Pharisees and guardians of the sacred flame - he didn't go around insulting vulnerable people, especially those who were struggling with their newly-found faith.
The religious leaders were not his only target.
Jesus went right after all the "common folk" who were not meaning business with him. Matter of fact, a great number turned from him and followed him no more. And, Jesus knew this would happen. He wanted it that way. Why? He did not want men following him that were not rightly motivated by God to follow him.
John 6:60-66 niv
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
"On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them,
"Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say,
"This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." From this time
many of his disciples turned back
and no longer followed him. "
Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian, is. Many even attend church, just as these disciples followed Christ. Jesus today would have weeded them out by offending their sensibilities with the truth. Something that would not offend the Spirit filled believer. Today, many pulpits refuse to teach solid truth. They are afraid that they might offend. They only preach to the choir with a "feel good" message.
"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "
Many think attending church makes them appear to be "respectable." To be seen as a "good person." If anyone is to be a faithful and true Christian they will have to deny themselves and take up their cross. God will see to it. And, Jesus said so. When I was a new Christian I was seeking passionately a church to attend. The Spirit in me was making me hunger for truth. I did go into some churches that made me feel nervous, and I already posted what kind one should avoid. Yet, no one led of God will end up being stuck in a dead church...if they do not quit seeking. There are too many who view church attendance as making them feel "socially acceptable." These are phonies who seek out churches that will please their flesh. The Holy Spirit will try and weed them out of the good churches. Jesus did.
And, I say again. If one is a believer. To not attend the teaching of God's Word, is sin. I do not know what concept you hold to as being sin. But anything that is not of faith, is sin. Sin does not have to mean overt gross actions. Those who give the appearance of being respectable are also sinners. One can be very nice as a person and sin. All men are sinners. And, all men who walk in ignorance of faith are sinning in their ignorance.
Faith comes by hearing the Word. To shy away from learning the Word through timidity is sin. They must overcome it. They must also realize that timidity is sin if they allow it to rule over them. God's grace overcomes timidity.
2 Timothy 1:7 niv
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. "
Jesus warned that some of the seeds on the path get saved but fall away under presssure. If we are ever to grow up in Christ, being offended should become a thing of the past when confronted by truth.
Psalm 119:165
"Great peace have they which love thy law: and
nothing shall offend them."
And, Jesus knew he would offend those folks following him. Not simply religious leaders.
"Aware that
his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them,
"Does this offend you?
Jesus wanted them out of there. Disciple meant student... a follower.
"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "
His target was not the religious leaders. Jesus wanted all those following for wrong motivation out of there. Churches are so sick today, that they try and impliment ways to attract these kind, and to keep them there. Such a "nice flock" of people they are. Ignorant of truth. But nice!
Did Jesus need a public relations manager? A sweet talking person to make people feel all good and warm inside? They'll put more money in the till that way. Right? When you becaome a Christian you join God's army. Today, many churches pamper and sweet talk people rather than confront them with truth. Truth, that those walking in the Spirit hunger for. Most churches today are full of religious people who do not understand what we have been called into.
" Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men?
If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 niv
Yes... it is a sin not to attend church (if a person refused to attend because of being nervous). This timid one might as well start off learning what sin is, that is, if one wants to be a Christian.
If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Grace and truth.... GeneZ