Quit you like Men
BR: I Cor. 16 (13-14)
13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all your things be done with charity.”
INTRO: Interesting, the word ‘Quit’ is found in the bible 13 times; a very unlucky word indeed. In the text, the Apostle Paul seemed to feel that real men don’t quit easily, and that the Christian man shouldn’t quit in a ‘girly’ way. In fact, he’s saying DON’T QUIT!
I) Quitting due to Weakness
Paul says should demonstrate strength, rather than be a quitter. To justify such behavior and weakness, the 98 lb. spiritual weakling will declare that he is ‘still serving God’ just not a church. If so, there would have been no grudge, rude comment, offense, disappointment, let-down, bad-experience, no sin that could separate him from the church. There is no ‘perfect church,’ and if there was, it would be ruined by such weaklings starting to attend it.
I’ve seen many people come and go throughout the years, and by many different methods. Some in a manly, straight-up fashion, usually accompanied by an explanation and a repentant attitude.
I’ve also seen many cowards who have ‘disappeared’ or refused to say ‘why’. They usually say things like;
“it’s just time to move on”
“I have a difference of opinion”
“I’ve lost confidence in my leaders”
“I love everyone, and no one has done anything to me, I’m moving in another direction.”
“I’m so free now”
After all, who is going to declare “I want to put my wife on a job” or “I don’t like paying tithe” or “my family offered me a job and a free house”? Who would be bold enough to say “I hate the Pastor” or “I can’t forgive the church for not paying my rent”? Or, “I don’t like being accountable for the money, I want to spend it the way I want, when I want.” Not many; because they already know how hollow such arguments really are.
You can have a little bit of respect for them, because at least they talked to someone. The real cowards are those who slip out, sink the church, deceive their congregations by implying that the organization let them down, etc. They feel ‘entitled’ to what they need; they know not sacrifice or despise the sacrifice.
These are they who say they’re quitting (or NOT quitting, but…) because someone was rude, someone did them wrong, etc. Seriously?
Brother, that’s a pretty poor reason to throw away 20 and 30 year relationships with people you said you love.
II) Quitting by Absconding
This is a particularly cowardly way to quit; it means to leave hurriedly and secretly. It is a method used typically by those who wish to avoid detection or “arrest for an unlawful deed.” (Webster’s)
In other words, they don’t want anyone to highlight the sheer absurdity of their reasoning, it’s easier to seek someone to scratch their itching ears.
II Timothy 4 (1-5)
1 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
It’s true! Those who leave the ministry and the church without explanation, always have something to hide. They won’t answer the phone, they avoid contact. Afterward, they run right into the arms of some of the most hateful, bitter enemies of the church they once loved. These hidden motives are never disclosed when postpartum explanations are rendered to others, it’s always someone else’s fault. Saving face is imperative.
III) Quitting without Quitting
These are those who can’t let it go. They quit the church, but want to retain all their friends. They want to have their cake, ‘and eat it too.’ If you eat your cake, there’s nothing to keep. Brethren, if the quitters didn’t want our fellowship when they slipped out, why would they want it now?
IV) Never Quit!
No matter what comes your way; no matter who kicks your cat; in spite of problems, disappointments with people, circumstances, work, family; Be STRONG- eschew the evil, shun the babblings, reject the critics, toughen up!
3 comments:
I quit because I left the post I was at and another NTCC wasn't around. You get to thinking "holy crap, look at all the time I have, look at all the things I can do and see and experience"
I couldn't ever go back simply because the further away from it I get the more I see the BS they were doing.
Ashmore is gone holy crap another crack is erupting...
Mike
Do not the Holy Scriptures say "Judge not, lest ye be judged"? Also I can recall "Be ye holy, even as I the Lord thy God am holy". There are going to be masses of pastors confused when the rapture occurs. Like maybe,'where did I go wrong?' will be a question they will ask themselves. Unfortunately, it will be too late then for most. The problem with religious and spiritual people in the church through my experience is that there are not many who know how to find that strike zone when it comes to personalities, fellowship, and brotherhood. There are always a cloud of witnesses who just talk too much, will not give others a chance to chime in - it's merely about them, them, them, them. They always have to be the life of the party - and it is sick and killing the churches across America. These are merely sick, probably mentally ill, selfish, and jealous folks who insert themselves in everyone's business and always have to have the last word in edge-wise. For the most part they are mentally abusive and that is far worse in my opinion, than someone who is physically abusive because at least they couldn't get away with it for too long since there would be physical evidence. Let's just end with this...GOD knows. HE knows how psychologically abusive these pastors are and all their little followers [who are exactly like them]!
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