Offend GOD-- Or Man?

Monday,  March 19th> Ezekiel 13: 1-22

How does God feel about the man-made devices that have been set up by churches to keep their ministries running? First, let's discuss the money-making projects we come up with -- the services we hold just to invite people who will come and give an offering. Once they get there and bring what they had, the service is held hostage as we declare there's GOT to be more -- that God HAS to have given us a larger amount, but we're just not willing to be obedient.

Then there are the "all- inclusive" schemes where we preach God's acceptance of anyone no matter what their sins are-- which is certainly true. But once we come to God through Jesus, shouldn't we be preaching that God expects HOLINESS to be at the center of our walk, rather than NO CHANGE and NO FRUIT? It's convenient to keep the sermons easy on the ears to keep those people coming, and to keep their tithes and offerings coming. We certainly don't want to say anything to offend anyone.

Then I read today's passage, and Jesus' message in Luke 12:49-53 about coming to bring division and not peace comes back to me. God sacrificed His only Son, and He expects us to make a stand for righteousness, even if it means offending those who are not ready to be challenged. And so ministries have to make a tough decision: offend GOD, or offend man. Hmmmm.... Let me see... I think I'll go with the One Who has the power to take me out with just one thought.