IGNORANCE IN THE CHURCH

  

- Odunayo Ogunmodede

The Scripture says in Hosea 4:6 that, "my people perish because of lack of knowledge". Ignorance is a very terrible disease which is more deadlier than both H.I.V Aids and Covid-19, and this is seriously ravaging the Church in our present generation. It is understandable that there are so many strange and nonchalant attitudes among christians nowadays, such that the Church, which suppose to be the light of the world is now battling with a huge number of immoral challenges and vulgar disciplinary cases. 

This article will not be complete without mentioning some of the ignorant characters of believers in recent time. These include but not limited to;

1. NONCHALANT ATTITUDES: This habit is found in so many Church workers, and it's due to the mentality that the Church belongs to the Pastors alone. People of this character believe that the successes and failures in the Church are linked to the Pastors alone, and therefore, they would see no reason in handling their spiritual duties with utmost priorities. God needs zealous servants, just like Paul and Barnabas demonstrated in Acts 15:36. They really wanted to do more for God, and that's what is expected of all Pastors, Church workers, and even members. Zeal!

2. GOSSIPS: Just like any other gathering, Church is a place where different  humans from different backgrounds come together and worship as a family. Therefore, events and different display of characters are certain. These should be seen as, "normal". Therefore, happenings in the Church shouldn't cause distractions from your main objective of being there. When this happens and you neglect your own business for unnecessary and immoral discussions, then it becomes gossip, and you would lose focus. Ephesians 4:29 says we should not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, but only words that are capable of building others. That is, godly talks that are strictly gospel propagation. But today in the Church, gossips and destructive criticisms have been the orders of the day.

3. LATENESS: The habit of coming late to Church is very common to almost 90% of Christians these days. We all know the times we resume for works in our various offices, and how punctual we are in keeping appointments with presidents, governors, ministers, commissioners, earthly kings, etc. But how faithful are we in keeping appointments with the KING OF THE UNIVERSE? Terrible, right? That's it, terrible! Ecclesiastes 3:1 and Ephesians 5: 15-16 emphasized on the significance of timing. It should also be noted that part of the ways of obeying Exodus 20:8 is to give God His maximum respect through our punctuality in the Church. Sundays especially, must be separated completely for God's business.

4. PRIDE: The Book of Isaiah 2:12 says every proud person will definitely be humbled. Painfully enough, pride and arrogance have been turned to 'fashion' among youths in our Churches today. Most of us hate corrections! And when you hate corrections, you are proud! Many would even threaten to quit the Church, especially when punished for their offenses. It must be admitted by all christians that, Church is a corrective place, therefore, correcting is one of the major activities there in.

5. LACK OF ZEAL FOR EVANGELISM: It's unfortunate that many of us are ignorant of the fact that the Church is majorly launched by Christ for the purpose of Evangelism. The Bible clearly reflects this in Mark 16:15. We are not expected to just sit down in the Church, singing, dancing and praying alone, but also to step out, win new souls for Christ and bring them to the Church for discipleship. But reverse is the case in our present generation, if there is anything we don't want to be hearing about at all, it is Evangelism. So sad!

Arising from the above, brethren, we must be conscious of the fact that the Church belongs to all of us, and not Pastors alone. Moreover, we are the Church. All hands must be on deck in reviving the Church which is the Body of Christ, because this is needful, and must be done!

Conclusively, Galatians 6:7 has it clearly stated that, "whatever a man sows, he shall reap". If anyone handles the works of God with levity, such will have the reward, and if you do it diligently to the best of your ability, you will be rewarded as well. God is the examiner of all, and nobody would be left unexamined. Matthew 25:21.

This message is not for condemnation, but a call to repentance. Let's restore the fear of God in our hearts, as this is the only key to receiving the promised crown.

Shalom!

Email: isaacodunayo35@gmail.com for any query.