Runt of the litter

I had a friend named Mark. Mark believed in God but didn’t attend church. His reasoning was “There were very few good people that actually went to church.” He knew people that go to church who were liars, cheaters and hypocrites.  He refused to associate with those type of people. This bothered me because, I go to church. It saddened me because he missed out on the one of the most important reasons for going to Church, fellowship with the body of Christ.

Sometime later, Mark’s Female Boxer had a litter of puppies. They were so cute I had to have one. The runt of the litter was very small and white. A white boxer is considered an imperfection and some breeders have them put to sleep because it is bad for the blood line. I chose this puppy.

Mark asked, “I have 5 other puppies, in great health; perfect markings and not sickly. Why did you chose the runt?”

I simply stated, “Because she comes from good stock and I refuse to condemn her. When Jesus chose his apostles, he didn’t choose the cream of the crop; he didn’t heal the healthy and he didn’t hang out with the most popular people. His church was a work in progress…imperfect.” He chose me, the runt of the litter!!!

Truth: There are no perfect Christians and no perfect churches.

Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this (Not perfect), or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

The Apostle Paul also said, this is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  1 Timothy 1:15

So anybody who thinks he is a good person is only fooling himself. When we get saved, Jesus does not destroy bodily weakness. We still have sickness, pain, and many health problems. Our souls continue living in a corruptible body…..we make mistakes! All of us have moments when our hearts are not completely pure.

Here’s another truth: Church people should strive for perfection. When we are saved, we don’t desire to stay the way we were, we seek change. The word “press” in Philippians 3:12 means to follow after, pursue…like a runner in a race.

1 Corinthians 9:24 says: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

Notice it says we are to run the race…that’s all of us. There can only be one winner though but does that mean we give up running? NO! Does a Nascar Driver think he will win every race? He’d like to but reality is in he knows he probably won’t. He still runs the race though, why? Because winning a single race isn’t the only reward; because winning the Cup at the end of the year isn’t the only reward. He keeps running because there will always be another race.

We keep running because there is more than one race. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don’t. The accomplishment of running the race is doing your best to win, that’s all God wants. Each single race has a reward but that’s not the only goal.

Again, another truth: Saved people are not perfect, just forgiven. Every Christian; no matter how long you’ve been saved; no matter how close our relationship is with Jesus; has the constant need for the grace of Jesus.

1 John 1:8-9 if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

That word “confess” indicates that it is not a one-time thing. If it was a one-time thing it would be the word confessed. In other words, it’s a continual process! A continuous race.  We keep on “confessing” and God keeps on forgiving our sins! Forgiveness is a gift that we must receive daily from Jesus.

We are not judged on our ability to be good Christians. Our righteousness is based on our dependence on Jesus. Even the most holy; religious; evangelical; pastoral and obedient person’s lives are based on their dependence on Jesus.

We will NEVER be perfect in our Earth Suits….never.

We ARE forgiven through confession of sins.

The whole reason for this post is if you don’t go to church because of hypocrisy or people not being good enough or because you fault other Christians based on how they are living there lives. Quit providing excuses and holding people to a higher standard.

IT’S NOT YOUR JOB!!!

You should be busy “pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of Christ Jesus”!

Do this and you WILL WIN the prize!!!