What are we created for?

I had a very interesting conversation this past weekend with a man older than I that really provoked me to contemplate on his idea of Christianity. Whether it's what he says or not--it's more about actions.
His pastor has started involving the church in ministering to the community. He said the pastor made a comment that he didn't believe in fishing with one kind of bait to only receive one kind of fish--instead fish with a net and bring all the fish in. It bothered this guy because the pastor was trying to include black people. I listened for a little while and simply said, "Looks like your pastor is on the mark with what Jesus set the example for." Not what he was wanting to hear.
I told him that this summer I have led my students in missions and we have looked at scriptures about what we should be doing in our own community--that the first week this summer we spent in a black trailer park. He said yeah--but did they come to your church. I said none have yet, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't. I told him that if the church was really the church--there would be no need for welfare or things like that. We should be accomplishing these things through the love of Christ. Jesus never said--only help those who help themselves--he just said help!
He replied that I was technically correct but he just couldn't see giving his hard earned money to someone who lays around and does nothing. (again missing the point)
I began to think about what Jesus said about the rich.
Mathew 19
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Until recently did I realize that this is a perfect picture of just about every American. If your reading this--you are rich. You have a computer or access to one, and numerous other things like a car, which only 8% of the world have. We are RICH! And it is very hard for us to let go of our possessions to give to others who are in need.

The "man" this weekend also said--"you know my dad loved God more than anybody, but he would look a black guy in the eye and say--'Don't disrespect me #%*ger!'"
In the book of 1John, chapter 4 talks about REAL LOVE. If we say we love God and hate our brother--then we are a liar.

The way of God is straight and narrow. Only a few go through. When Jesus appeared on the scene in flesh he began to show the Pharisees and religious leaders it was about the heart--not outward actions. If our hearts are right--it will show!

A good friend of mine told me something lately that I have decided is very true. I used to think to myself--people better get used to all races together because they're going to be in heaven with them. But my friend said--they better get used to it because they're going to be in hell with them.
Look at Mathew 7
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

I am in no way perfect or do I claim to be. I know that my spirit is righteous because of the blood of Jesus and that my flesh still messes up. But I do think that sometimes we don't take the Lord serious and for the most part there are people sitting in churches who are lost and think they are going to heaven. We must be changed from the inside out and see the Love of Christ spread all around us!

I leave you with a quote from the book Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell:

The church doesn't exist for itself; it exists to serve the world. It is not ultimately about the church. When the church loses sight of this, it loses its heart. This is especially true today in the world we live in where so many people are hostile to the church, many for good reason. We reclaim the church as a blessing machine not only because that is what Jesus intended from the beginning but also because serving people is the only way their perceptions of church are ever going to change. This is why it is so toxic for the gospel when Christians picket and boycott and complain about how bad the world is. This behavior doesn't help. It makes it worse. It isn't the kind of voice Jesus wants his followers to have in the world. Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn't as bright as it could be.