Are the Churches really Christ-like?
Honest observer
By Roy Flintoff, An Honest Observer - Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012.
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Dear Editor
Why do I ask that question? You might wonder. For many years now I have been looking at religions with a constructively critical eye. While I commend them for making God’s word available to many and teaching some good moral principles, I do think that the churches are not generally living up to and upholding the standard of God to a satisfactory degree.
1) The churches are “running down” the Jehovah’s Witnesses too much. Now if the pastors and their church members feel that the Jehovah’s Witnesses are wrong, why don’t they speak to the Jehovah’s Witnesses to correct them when they visit their homes? Why do the pastors tell their members not to listen to the Jehovah’s Witnesses when they come to their doors?
If the pastors are truly “Christians,” why don’t they show love to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and help them, and urge their members to do likewise, rather than encourage their members to shut their doors on Jehovah’s Witnesses?
I know of a case where hot water was thrown on a Jehovah’s Witness by someone who claimed to be a Christian. In another case, urine was thrown at a Jehovah’s Witness, again by a member of a church claiming to be a Christian. These actions could never be right.
Yes, Christ said that Christians are to expect persecution, which Jehovah’s Witnesses meet frequently (Matthew 24:9; John 15:20). But when those who claim to be Christians are the ones doing the persecuting, then I shake my head and ask: Are they really Christians? Are they truly Christ-like?
Christ said to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44). So why not love the Jehovah’s Witnesses too? Jehovah’s Witnesses speak to all who are willing to converse, even if they disagree on doctrines in the end.
From my observation, I think that the churches must be willing to use the bible to a much greater extent to prove their beliefs and practices. Their members seem afraid to defend their beliefs, hence, they feel it is the best course to avoid Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I personally think that the Jehovah’s Witnesses do a fine job in the way they use the bible to prove their beliefs and practices. Give credit where it is rightfully due. Of course, anyone is free to believe what he or she wishes, freedom of thought.
2) The churches are tolerating wrongs such as: Pastors committing adultery and preaching sermons still; pastors and church members fornicating and they are still highly admired by many in the church, even taking communion in their sinful state. They are only fooling themselves. Are they really Christ-like?
3) Politics is dividing church members. Even when elections are over, church members have been keeping malice with each other due to having different political affiliations. Are they seriously Christ-like?
The above-mentioned are honest, truthful observations I have made over the years, and I think that any fair-minded person would do well to consider the facts as he or she truly sees them. Let the truth be told and make us free. John 8:32.