A Horrible Realization
**Ok so this is an inconvenient time to have an epiphany that I just HAVE to post since I’m in the middle of the Good Character series, but the feelings are overwhelming about this subject at the moment and I WILL return to the next Good Character post very soon, promise 
Every now and then I get really pumped up and enthusiastic about advertising the ALIVE ministry. I know that we should be doing this much, much more but our poor leadership (all of Philip and I) just can’t do it all, you know. Plus advertising the right way requires $$ and our church isn’t big on fundraisers and costly campaigning. Our church body should be doing their part to invite, you know? Makes sense. Unfortunately, we don’t do it very well and it’s like pulling teeth to get the “younger generation” (aka our target age group) to stick with the group themselves, much less reach out and pull others in.
ANYWAY - outreach is actually NOT the point of this.
In order to advertise and think of ways to reach out more effectively (because i’m all about doing things effectively) I sit at the computer and browse Facebook. Let’s be honest though, don’t we all? It’s a great past time. I love to look through ppl that I am friends with and think, “how can I reach out to that person? What would make them come to a ministry like ALIVE? What are they even doing these days?”
Needless to say I was doing this today and a horrible realization swept over me.
Most of these people are a lot like me.
BUT
Most of these people are going to Hell.
Profile after profile. Smiling face after smiling face. These are people I know well enough to know that they have had the same Christian upbringing as me. Sat through the same sermons. Were invited to the same church events. Attended the same Sunday School. Had other friends who were believers.
But when I visit these COUNTLESS profiles, I don’t see a person with mutual faith, beliefs, lifestyle. I see a mission field.
I see people that dabbled in Christianity for a while because of church-going parents or fun friends in the youth group. Now that those influences are gone, they’ve disappeared. Or maybe show up to the occasional morning service.
They could care less about Jesus Christ. He was never of much importance and still isn’t.
It’s just really heartbreaking. To think that they are missing the whole point. Missing their own Savior. Missing a life of purpose and passion. Missing the ultimate satisfaction to their soul. Missing an eternal calling.
They’re in the fold of the Bible belt. They’ve heard the gospel. They’ve even seen it through the lives of the godly. And their answer is no. Not for me.
And the Lord’s answer will be “depart from me, I never knew you.”
I just don’t think you should speak so confidently about so many people going to Hell. It’s not really for you to decide or know. I respect your belief that you are saved, but it comes off as arrogance on your part, when you declare that most of the rest of us are already damned. It also sounds ignorant, southern, and Bible belty.
You are not saved by listening to sermons, attending church events or associating with people who say they believe. If this is your standard for salvation you have been decieved.
I guess when you write the way you write Lindz, you’re bound to get some negative feedback. With as strong of an opinion as you blast through your blogging, it’s to be expected. It’s true, God is our only judge. “You shall know them by their fruit”, He says. The fruit someone’s life is producing is one of the most accurate ways to truly tell if they are walking with the Lord or with the world. We see what we can and we judge based on what we see most of the time. Thank you Jesus, God see’s so much more than we do!
Thanks Rachel, I have learned not to pay much attention to comments from strangers who don’t read my blog thoroughly and don’t link back to their own blog. What you said is true, we do have some amount of ability to perceive whether or not a person is really a child of God by their lifestyle and fruit – 1 John. I hope that this recognition makes us even more careful about how we relate to everyone and not get careless by assuming that just because they claim the Christian faith it must mean they’re eternally secure.
This blog wasn’t really meant to be a theological debate, just an expression of my emotions to my usual followers who I’m sure can relate.
this is just so absolutely, heartbreakingly true. and i think that the blunt way you put it accurately reflects the punched-in-the-gut feeling i had when your description immediately brought 4 or 5 names to my mind.
of course we know that we can’t see hearts like Christ can, and we don’t know what He’ll eventually do in their lives, but it’s VERY easy to notice when a girlfriend (or guyfriend) – who you grew up with, prayed with, served with at some point – totally walks away from the faith. maybe not in an atheistic “Jesus doesn’t exist” kind of way, but just an apathetic, luke-warm, i’d rather have fun than do this jesus-thing kind of way. The Gospel doesn’t have any power to them anymore, church is a rare and optional event, and they’re not seeking out any growth whatsoever in their walk. you just pray that the Lord isn’t through working on them (heck, i know he’s definitely not through working on ME) thanks for this
Well said, Jen. And you’re welcome
Marketing? What Did Jesus Do?