October 2, 2026 - Faith = Fruit Not Funding
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV
Things never change. There always have been and always will be people who do not agree to Jesus' teaching and or have used Jesus as a way to profit themselves. Have you ever spoken to someone who says that they will never set foot in a church because they were treated badly by someone who said they were a Christian? Or that they went to a church and someone there was an angry person who complained and talked about people all the time. Or maybe it is because they have heard of leaders who have stollen, had affairs or committed some other crime.
We need to point people to Jesus not to people. Church congregations and even some in leadership can fall into the same category of the Ephesian church. False doctrine, conceit, combative, envious, bad talkers, suspicious, corrupt liars looking for their own personal and or financial gain. When we meet people who have been wronged by someone in a church, we can show them that as humans we are bound to always encounter people that will hurt us or disappoint us. That just because someone claims to be a Christian or is going to church doesn't mean they are following Christ.
All we can do is check ourselves and do our best to live according to the teachings of Jesus so that when people interact with us, they see Jesus. Just because someone says they are a Christian doesn't mean that they really are and thisopens up an opportunity to talk to an unbeliever about what it really means to give your life to Jesus instead of defending the church.
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ”
1 Timothy 6:11 NIV
Someone who has given their live to Christ will have a heart change and will be able to live by the fruit of the Spirit.
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