Chapter 3: Never Turn your Back on God.

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This is an excerpt of my book “How to overcome legalistic Christianity: how to turn back to God when church people hurt you.”

“To truly combat legalistic Christianity, we must firmly stand firm on Christ and not turn our backs on God. I know People will hurt you and stab you in the back. Never lose hope. When you face legalistic Christianity, respectfully confront the church on their legalistic principles. If they do not respect your line of reasoning and do not change their legalistic Christianity principles, then the church’s philosophy on Leadership is screwed up, and is ultimately time to leave that unhealthy environment. It is so sad to see so many Christians leave the Christian Faith due to a toxic church environment. I was almost one of those victims, who left the church altogether. It was primarily due to their philosophy of leadership. At some churches, Youth Pastors have their small groups go to their offices. Going to the youth pastors’ offices could become an environmental and social deterrent. Going to a youth pastor’s office feels like going to the principal’s office. It is not a good experience to put mildly. I never experienced going to a principal’s office, since I was homeschooled all the way through. To put it bluntly, going to a youth pastor’s office is a toxic environment to be at. You might be wondering, why was it toxic and how can you air out the toxic fumes of bad leadership?

First, it was toxic because of their philosophy on leadership. The Philosophy of having your small group meet in the youth minister’s office should never happen unless you have an unruly student. You should never send your small group to the youth pastor’s office because it creates a barrier between you and your students. You should meet on equal grounds. For example, you can go to Picasso Pizzeria to eat good pizza. While you at Picasso Pizzeria, you can still ask spiritual questions as you eat. A piece of advice to those who want to seek Youth Ministry, never, never, have your small group in the Youth Pastor’s office. Would you like it if the principal of the school had a set of students going to the principal office and teaching them a school lesson? I think not.

Second, If the leadership will not listen to your new way of thinking, it is probably a time to find a different church to be at. If you feel burn out and feel angry at the church, seek Christ even more. Never leave the church that would be the worst thing. God calls us to be near God even when people stab you the back. Our faith does not rest in pleasing people, it rests in Christ alone. You might have heard this before but Hebrews 10:25 have some practical advice on what do when people stab you in the back. Hebrews 10:19-25 states,

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God,let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

In Hebrews 10:19, “Brethren” is referring to brothers and sisters in Christ. “Holy Place” is referring to heaven. The Author gave the brethren the reason they can be confident to enter heaven. The reason is “by the Blood of Jesus.” It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ that the brethren can enter heaven. So, churches do not define the body of Christ. However, churches are built to encourage one another in Christ. Churches are also built to help you make biblical changes towards Christlikeness. Attending church should be done even when you feel hurt by the church members. Church members should encourage one another, not tear people down. So, if the church you attend is a toxic environment, do not forsake God, but pursue a different church environment. My advice to you is to never turn back on God or churches. Chose a different church if that church environment is a toxic environment to be at. “

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