Re-thinking The Signs...

Every other time I pass certain churches in my area, the signs out front have some foreboding messages on them. Used to be I would have nodded my head in agreement with all of the statements without thinking them through, but these days I'm in the groove of examining what I believe and why. I'm still learning & growing, but I'm actually somewhat disturbed at some of the signs I've seen. I have listed some of them below and explain why I differ in thought from them:

1) "Jesus is Coming! Get Right or Get Left Behind!!"

This is the same tactic used car salesmen use "Buy now, before it's too late". God does not want a hasty or half-hearted decision. I DO believe in the soon return of Jesus Christ, however, how exactly do I "get right"? Well, if you ask any of the members of the local 'True Church of God- Pentecostal' who sponsored the sign, they would tell me that I must speak in tongues, keep my hair long, never wear a stitch of make-up, show up for every service, never wear jewelry and my man must grow a beard. I have sat through their chaotic meetings- the speaker shouts fire & brimstone into the microphone until he has no voice left by which to speak. I have seen them babbling & trembling while the women jump around exposing their panties to everyone. During their prayer meetings they come together to "tisk-tisk" about their lost family members and shake their heads about the world and all it's failings. If this is what blesses them- more power to them, but is this what it means to "get right"? My Bible tells me that salvation isn't based on my day to day performance- it's based on the steadfast righteousness of Christ. This sign makes it all about US and what WE do.

2) "Where do you choose to spend eternity? Smoking or non-smoking??"

I've actually seen this on more than one church sign. This saying is offensive to me simply because it trivializes the destinations of Heaven & Hell. The ones who came up with it no doubt thought they were quite clever, but it rubs me the wrong way- as I'm sure it does many others. The question of eternity is not as casual as asking someone where they would like to sit. Also making a decision for Christ is not as easy as just deciding in which section they would like to dine. This is a life and an eternity we're talking here. For many, choosing to follow Jesus could mean the loss of a spouse, a job or even to be shunned by family. This should not be treated so lightly. This sign uses a little tinge of fear tactic. For one, I don't believe in an eternally burning Hell. I do not believe a loving, merciful God will burn people forever for the sins of one short lifetime and delight in their torment. It is the worst fear tactic ever and God does not draw by fear but by loving-kindness.

3) "To belong to Christ, you must be faithful to Him every moment and in every situation"

This one really SCREAMS legalism! Who among us are faithful every moment and in every situation?? This holds an impossibly high standard over people's heads. Don't know about you, but I fail and misrepresent my Lord on a daily basis. Saddest thing is those who posted this sign obviously believe they have reached such a level in their religious experience so that they can post this for everyone else. Scripture tells me I belong to Jesus Christ because He purchased me with His righteous blood. Where in the Bible is the text that says in order to be His, we must be sinless??

4) "The Seventh-day is the Sabbath, for the Lord thy God never changed it"

This is a very argumentative statement to put on a church sign in the middle of the Sunday-keeping Bible belt. It reeks of arrogance and is confrontational to the Sunday church just across the street. More flies are won to honey than to vinegar. Sabbath is more than just a day. Jesus is LORD of the Sabbath. Because of His work to save us on the Cross He IS my Sabbath rest. I am no longer striving- He has won the battle for me. The fight of faith Paul speaks of is not that of gritting our teeth to be perfect in the flesh. The real fight of faith is believing everyday that God is big enough to forgive, cleanse & save me. It means clinging to the rest His sacrifice gave me. Jesus didn't change the Law- He fulfilled it. Maybe we need to examine what that means on a little deeper level instead of always taking it at face value and being teachers of the law? I'm totally okay with people worshipping on the Seventh-day, but unless we begin to glorify Christ as Lord and Savior- of what benefit is it?

5) "Born American- Baptist by choice- Thank God!"

Saw this interesting sign around July 4, it so humbly says, "We Baptist are the best there ever was, don't you wish you could be one too?"

6) "The mice play while the cat's away, but Azlan the Lion is returning soon. Vengeance is mine sayeth The Lord!"

How poetic. Doesn't that just make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside? It was SO inspiring I felt impressed to pull over, read my Bible, pray and confess my every fault that very instant. (Okay, I apologize for the sarcasm, but this is a laughable sign.) This one was posted around the time the 'Narnia' film was released.

7) "There IS a lake of fire- it's very real. Come on in and find out how to avoid it"

This one clearly says, "Be afraid, be very, very scared. God can hardly wait to throw you into Hell, but because we're such nice people, we'll do you a favor and tell you the secret formula for talking Him out of it."

8) "The day is coming when sinners will tremble at the wrath of an angry God."

Wow- isn't that inspiring? Is this something we are supposed to be happy about?

9) "Save America from Aids and the Gay Movement. God hates fags."

Okay, this one really leaves me wondering why we don't post "God hates liars", "God hates gossips", "God hates hypocrites" or "God hates gluttons"? These are also listed as behaviors that God disapproves of- it seems homosexuality is the "biggie" that gets picked on. I do not support the gay lifestyle, but neither do I support the anti-gay hate movements. Truth is, God doesn't hate anyone. He hates sin. Why? Because it breaks us down and leaves us empty. Pastor Fred Phelps pickets the funerals of homosexuals who have died of aids. He and his hatemongers hold anti-gay signs and taunt the family & friends of the deceased. I've seen footage of him shouting horrible things- telling mourners the one they loved is now being tormented in Hell. I must ask, is THIS what Jesus would do?? Where in scripture do we find Christ harassing people like this? Don't think so! If we're going to post signs like the one above, perhaps we should also consider: "Save America from fast food. God hates cholesterol." (Heart disease & high cholesterol kill more people than Aids does).

*Best church sign I ever saw was along highway 81 South to Florida. It had a bright picture of the cross with Jesus hanging limp upon it- arms outstretched and it read,

"The offer still stands"

No statement about which church is the truest & best, no suggestions as to how we should vote, no condemnatory or fear-based theology, just a simple invitation... the older I get, the more simple things appeal to me...

Two great signs for the Lutheran church, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"

"Christ did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him might be saved."

Fellow Christians, we have played church for generations and many have yet to fully embrace the incredible love & mercy of God! Long have we feared and misunderstood Him. Long have we lived in denial of our own pride and sinfulness. We've been so busy trying NOT to sin, that we've not focused enough on how to show genuine kindness. We avoid negative actions- they are dispicable to us, but in holding such a focus, we often fail to perform positive actions. We will not have patience with the weak, the slow to understand and reach those who have fallen, until we understand that we are no better. How often we misrepresent Christ in the ways we condemn. I'd love to see more positive church signs. Better yet, I'd like to meet more positive church people...