Encouragement

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Re-charging One’s Faith Battery
© 2011

by

Stephen A. Peterson


“Say, how come you don’t go to church, Will? Asked barrack mate Army Specialist Herman Bouska.

“Because back home where I used to go to church, I felt that everyone who went to church were all a bunch of silly, two faced hypocrites. They all acted like they were better than me because I made a mistake when I was 11 years old. So many of them sinned like there was no tomorrow and act like it was nothing. To me, they’re sickening.”

“Well, Bill, despite what you’ve said, I’d say you’re at least half right.”

“What do you mean, I’m half right? I’d say I’m right 100% right!”

“You’re right saying they’re no better than you. Where you are wrong, Bill, is that those who attend church services regularly are trying to correct themselves. I’ll bet, if you ask them, they’ll more than likely tell you that they are sinner. Maybe they won’t give you specific sins but I’m willing to bet they’ll tell they’re sinners and fall short. If they don’t tell you that then, I’d say you’re 100% right.”

Well, I don’t know, Herm.”

Bill, would you label anyone in the church you attended a saint.”

“Nope!”

“I would. A saint is really a sinner who makes a conscientious effort to work on and through their sins. On the basis of what I’ve stated, any person who recognizes their sins and comes before God to ask Him to change them and their condition would qualify as a saint. That is, they are a living saint.”

“Hum! No one has ever explained to me that, Herm, the way you just did,” responded Specialist William Burrell.

“It’s because so many people give up. As you know, the Roman Catholic Church has been roundly scandalized by the sexual behavior of a relatively small number number of priests and bishops. It had been going on for such as long time until cases in this countrly and others countries as well.

Everybody knows that sex outside of marriage is a sin. Such acts do not honor God. That said, it isn’t in the same category as pretending to be a follower in order to fool others to gain a moral high ground is not real. The hypocrite is one who thinks he or she is tricking God, tricking others and even themselves into believing that everyone is fooled.”

“You’re right, Herm.”
“So, what are you going to do about it, Bill?”

Regardless of the domination, Christianity, throughout its history has documented failures by its clergy and the lay faithful. Despite the seemingly decline of Christianity in shaping the world’s behavior, being a participant in a church community can be a catalyst in society. Attending church services and participating with other church members is where persons may share those problems one struggles with realize he or she must work through. It is through one’s church community, in faith, that member can be supportive of the weak among us; renew our faith and become a better spokesperson for Christ. There is actually no better place where one may have their faith battery re-charged.

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