God on trial?

 God on trial! 


This isn't an everyday typical title, but I knew it would grab your attention. 

Time and time again I have heard people ask about "why terrible things happen?", "why do so called Christians act so hypocritically." This truly saddens my heart and not because I want to defend the faith. It saddens me because it is true! We find many people questioning the very existence of God or/and maybe even refusing to have anything to do with him. When we get to the core of the matter I have found it is because of the hurtful actions of those calling themselves Christians. I chose to use the term lightly because well there are people genuinely trying their best to live a life followed from the example of Christ but mess up. Then there are those who just act so harshly yet hide under the banner of the Christian label. The abusive power of miss used actions under the name of Jesus Christ/God is sadly not anything new under the sun! I wouldn't put it past it if this has been going on since the beginning. But we'll leave that fact or fiction up to God himself. The purpose of this blog is to encourage everyone exploring life and spirituality. Whether you've just started or you have been walking the path for many years. 

Sadly I've come across people that have been hurt by the church. I've known people that have walked away from the church and their faith because of the actions of people in the congregation of a church. This is heartbreaking for sure! God has laid it on my heart for a while now, the frustration behind this notion. Because let's face it, it's God that gets the brunt of the consequences of our actions. I can only imagine the pain and lament he is feeling towards his creation for all the hurt without thought that has been acted out. 

Do you know anyone that's walked away from the church because of the hurtful actions of those from church? I do. Do you know someone exploring but can't bring themselves to believe in God because of the hurtful actions of his people? I do. It is truly saddening to come across such pain and sorrow in people, when all we long for them to do is pull down the wall of pain and allow God to unfold his perfect love and peace into their lives. His life changing love! 

I once was given a dream about hell. Thankfully it wasn't the full extent of hell but a small glimpse of it. I woke up absolutely melancholy. Tears running down my face because of the sheer fear of everyone that found their eternal home there. The screams, the fear, the cries for help but help wouldn't come. I wouldn't wish my enemies in that place. But sadly it is a real place. A real destiny for those who reject God. 

The church has a lot to answer for and if you who are reading this have been hurt by the church; I would like to extend a deep heartfelt apology. 

One of the greatest advice I can give you is don't judge God because of the actions of people. People naturally hurt intentionally and unintentionally. We unfortunately make mistakes and betray people. We react out of our emotions instead of taking on board the bible verse that says to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. You don't have to look far to see the church is full of messed up people. Myself included! I've made mistakes that shouldn't have taken place. 

Thankfully God can work through our mess and turn it into a message. But this isn't always easy and straight forward for those affected by the behaviour of people. Our actions are like a ripple effect on the world around us. One things for sure is the enemy thrives on us messing up because his greatest mission is to make the world hate God. 

The pain and suffering being inflicted in this world unfortunately dates back to the disobedience of Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit God instructed them not too. This disobedience opened the door to a world where sin entered in and wreaked havak, destroying many lives along the way. I'm not saying this is a get out Claus no way! Not one of us will escape judgement day. We will all give an account for every word, thought and deed we've committed in our lives. The question is will we stand with Christ or will we be standing alone. On our own we stand no chance. The bible says good works alone isn't enough. But our faith and trust in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what covers us, making us clean. 

God loves this world so much so that when allowing us to have will power sort of fell through because well let's face it, they disobeyed God. He had a back up plan, which is found in Christ Jesus and his death on the cross. His death made a way for us to get back with God. When we accept Christ and allow him into our lives, his blood, forgiveness and love washes our sins. So when God looks at us he sees Christ in us. Meaning we can build that precious relationship we were meant to have right the beginning of the world. This is truly a thing of beauty. 

Yes you will find hypocrisy in believers, not necessarily intentional hypocrisy but a people trying their hardest to live a life following the example of love and grace shown to us through Christ Jesus. We will get it wrong, we will make mistakes. But that's not who God is. God is love! God is hope. God is a father who gently guides and corrects us when we make these mistakes. He is certainly not a god with a magnifying glass waiting to smight anyone and everyone who tickles his fancy. 

God could if he wanted to end everything now, but the bible encourages us that he is slow not because he is clueless but because he longs for us all to have a chance to experience him, to choose him. 

Please don't let the actions of people cause you to build that wall of restriction towards God. Don't judge him because of the actions of Christians. Form your opinion of him as you allow him to reveal himself through your life. Allow him to work through you, speak to you and love you. 

Boy does he love you! 

Let's pray.. 

Father God open my eyes to who you are for me in this world. Show me who you are! Please open my heart to your love and grace over my life. Help me to forgive those who have caused me pain through their actions. Help me oh God to see your creation through your eyes that I may live out my life in love and grace for others. In Jesus name amen 


Romans 3 verse 23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God 

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