Christianity started as a beautiful thing! It was something the world had never experienced before. An amazing selfless, like-mindedness that brought glory to God.
But, just like everything in this world, it eventually turned sour.
Romans 14:14-15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably, Destroy not him with thy meat for whom Christ died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
When I was in Bible school, there was this couple who were also attending that were vegan. I felt so ashamed, and embarrassed for them, when the teacher publicly called them out and told them that they were sinning because they didn't eat meat. I guess that teacher never read the verse above.
To make a long story short, that couple started to eat meat and within 6 months were back living in the world. You see, they weren't strong Christians. They were weak. They needed the herbs. It was almost as if there were better able to withstand other temptations by denying themselves that one thing. And, once they gave in to that one thing their determination wore away until they gave in to everything the world, flesh, and devil could tempt them with.
Destructive Christianity professes to love God, but they hate the brethren.
I John 4:20- If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
You may think that the professor above cared about his students, but that wasn't the case. If he actually cared, he would have let God deal with them and not tried to be the Holy Spirit in a matter in which he didn't know all the details.
But, that's what destructive Christianity does- it's more concerned with self than it is with others. It's quick to accuse those who it thinks are doing wrong, but rarely does it try to restore them in the Christian faith.
Romans 15:1-2- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Galatians 6:1- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Perhaps, God had a plan for those vegan Christians to serve Him on a field where the people didn't eat meat. It certainly would have helped the natives listen to them! God could have gotten so much glory!
But, now, there are two less Christians fighting the fight.
Another aspect of destructive Christianity is people who live in the world without even trying to witness to those around them. They not only don't witness, they won't read their Bibles or pray because the world's distractions are more important to them.
Psalm 142:4- I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
There's a new movie to go see. My children have their extracurricular activities. And, little Johnny on the team, or Suzie at the show will never hear that their soul is on its way to eternal damnation in hell.
The same so-called Christians will go to church and sing the songs and listen to the preaching, but it never hits their heart. It goes in one ear and out the other- they're really just pew warmers.
Mark 7:6- He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
The most destructive part of this lip service is that it's usually followed by a bunch of talk about how you should follow the rules while they do their own thing. It's the Pharisees putting burdens on others that they themselves won't carry.
Matthew 23:4- For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
These Christians have lost their vision for heaven. They believe the truth, but they don't obey it.
Ephesians 4:21-24- If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
You are suppose to be a new creature who is conformed to the image of Christ! But, destructive Christianity is full of sentiment and devoid of sacrifice.
One night during a campaign, Alexander the Great couldn't sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds. As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty.
The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him and recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life.
"Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?" Alexander the Great asked the soldier.
"Yes, sir," the soldier responded in a quivering voice.
"Soldier, what's your name?" demanded Alexander the Great.
"Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great repeated the question: "What is your name?"
"My name is Alexander, sir," the soldier repeated.
A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, "What is your name?"
A third time the soldier meekly said, "My name is Alexander, sir."
Alexander the Great then looked the young soldier straight in the eye. "Soldier," he said with intensity, "either change your name or change your conduct."
I wonder if Christ says the same to us as He looks down from heaven- Either quit calling yourself a Christian or start acting like one!
