I was talking to a friend one night, and these thoughts have been with me since as I sat thinking about this song. One of the most amazing things... and not in a good way... that I see in life... is how "unloving" Christians can really be. Yes... Christians are people just like anyone else... and struggle, just like everyone else. True strive for our best and to do right, and are just as suseptable to negative thoughts like anyone else. And have desires just like everyone else; whether they be good or bad. But what gets me is that we call each other brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters of the most high King; and yet we can be so self-centered. How do I explain this concept? Easy.
There used to be a time... that people didn't look at each other and judge people based on their denomination or skin color, their gender or their language; rather we all came together and knew being a Christian meant being a follower of Christ. The church used to be a haven of refuge for people to run to for help, and they would recieve it. Paul understood these things as he ministered throughout Asia and made it clear of his mistakes and what he wished for, yet never condemning people or discriminating. He simply wished that everyone had what he had... a humble wish: To be passionate for Christ. Today, the church is divided in hundreds of denominations. A church will look at another denomination with disgust because of the differences in their doctrine. Churches have segregated themselves and instead of focusing on God, have chosen to focus on what the people want. Forgetting that the bible says that God is coming back for a church that is passionate for Him. It should be the desire of the people in that church to want to do God's will. Today, the southern baptist churches of the Eastern Region of the USA have been noted as some of the most discriminatory churches. It is sad to say, but there are those that call themselves Christians, and believe in a dominant race that is above others. Even in the Pentacostal Church of God, there are several old fashioned leaders that look down on women that desire to preach. I assume these people weren't aware of women such as Ruth, Esther, Mary, and Mariam (sister of Moses)--just to name a few. Who are we to push women to the corners of the church and say that God cannot inspire them with His words... that women must be only allowed to teach Sunday School, play piano for praise and worship/sing in the chior, and watch kids in the nursery? Some pastors say... they can participate in music... but we don't let them lead it. God called all men unto Him... and we as Christians have done a good job at putting standards around who qualifies as "all men" depending on the church. We're too quick too point out issues such as tattoos (btw: Leviticus 19:28---doesn't get any clearer than that) or hair length, or even the physical content of what we wear. It is practically condemned by some churches not to wear dress clothes for service. Did we forget the less fortunate, or those who struggle to get by? We're so quick to judge that we don't take time to love those that may want to be "presentable" (by man's terms) to God, but can't. AND I put quotes around presentable for a reason... Is it not God who determines the heart of a man and who shall enter into the gates to His Kingdom? We want to do whatever we want to do, and we'll go miles upon miles trying to justify our actions, as if we wrote the bible and had the liberty to say, "Well.. what God really meant to say was..." We want to be Christians, but we don't want to give up some things. We use "The bible says not to get drunk," as an excuse to drink--and half the time people get drunk anyway. We say the bible doesn't say anything about defiling our bodies or drugs when the bible clearly says our bodies are the temple of Christ and should respected and kept clean. You interpret the Bible how you want, but the question you should ask yourself is, "Is God's way the write way, or is justifying my way with my thoughts going to make it the write way." Just remember He's the one on the throne with the say so--not you or me.
I have been listening to this song, "Fire Fall Down," by Hillsong United. I have a dvd of these people live in concert, in which they do this song... and many things stick out in my mind as I watch. Its the hearts of each young person... setting aside everything with only one thing in mind: to glorify God. As I listen to words in this song... I notice that we must come to a point in which we forget ourselves and choose to follow Christ. It should be passion for His love that drives us to pray the repeated prayer, "Fire Fall Down on us." What is that Fire? It is His power, His love, His forgiveness, mercy, and grace... that we do NOT deserve.
"Fire Fall Down," by Hillsong United
Verse 1:
You bought my life with the blood
That you shed on the cross
When you died for the sins of men
And you let out a cry, crucified
Now alive in me.
Chorus:
Cause I know that you're alive
You came to fix my broken life
And I'll sing to glorify
Your Holy name, Jesus Christ
Verse 2:
These hands are yours
Teach them to serve
As you please and I'll reach out
Desperate to see all the greatness of God
May my soul rest assured in you
Bridge 1:
Fire fall down
Fire fall down
On us we pray
As we seek
Fire fall down
Your fire fall down
On us we pray
Bridge 2:
Show me your heart
Show me your way
Show me your glory
My prayer to God:
"Lord I pray the day when "Christians" will rise and forget about what denomination they are... the rules and traditions that people refuse to let go of... and the differences between our brothers and sisters that we put so much emphasis on... to where we will all cry out with a voice of praise that is true to You; with a desire and passion for Your love and fire to fall down on our lives and that our only desire will be to seek Your heart, seek Your will, and to give You glory."
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