It's Never Enough

[moniker]

My parents were the type of people that were the first ones to church, and the last to leave. They were in the Apostolic faith for several years. They raised their family in that way.

But when us kids became teenagers, my mom and dad started slipping in their commitment to the church and God. They eventually left the Apostolic faith and didn't go to church anywhere for many years.

I stayed in church even after my parents left. I never understood why they left it. I was angry at them over it. Years later, I finally got up the nerve and asked my parents why they made the choice to leave. They both said that they never felt saved. They felt like it didn't matter what they did, it was never enough.

It didn't matter if they were baptized, talked in tongues and tithed. It didn't matter if they were committed and faithful. They were always led to believe they needed to do more. They left the church because they got tired of feeling defeated. That they weren't good enough. That they were always just one little mistake away from death and Hell.

There was no joy in their lives.

For a long time I thought they said these things as an excuse to sin. But here I am, years later, and I feel the same way now they did back then.

It's never enough. No matter what I do, it's never enough. Someone is always standing by to tell me my service is not enough, my giving is not enough and the way I dress is not enough.

Someone is sizing up my kids to see if they measure up. Someone is judging my productivity. Someone is gauging my worship. And no matter how well I do, it's never enough.

There's no joy in this way.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I completely agree with you. This is where I am now.

[Dedicated Mind]

you guys need to tune in to someone like Joel Osteen, positive reinforcement.

[misspresley]

Focus on what Jesus expects of you - not man - but our Sweet Lord - forgive those who have made you feel the way you do - then move on with Him. There's so much joy and peace and love in Him that it'd be a shame to let people dissuade you from what you know is right! Stay encouraged. He accepts all you give Him!

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by moniker

My parents were the type of people that were the first ones to church, and the last to leave. They were in the Apostolic faith for several years. They raised their family in that way.

But when us kids became teenagers, my mom and dad started slipping in their commitment to the church and God. They eventually left the Apostolic faith and didn't go to church anywhere for many years.

I stayed in church even after my parents left. I never understood why they left it. I was angry at them over it. Years later, I finally got up the nerve and asked my parents why they made the choice to leave. They both said that they never felt saved. They felt like it didn't matter what they did, it was never enough.

It didn't matter if they were baptized, talked in tongues and tithed. It didn't matter if they were committed and faithful. They were always led to believe they needed to do more. They left the church because they got tired of feeling defeated. That they weren't good enough. That they were always just one little mistake away from death and Hell.

There was no joy in their lives.

For a long time I thought they said these things as an excuse to sin. But here I am, years later, and I feel the same way now they did back then.

It's never enough. No matter what I do, it's never enough. Someone is always standing by to tell me my service is not enough, my giving is not enough and the way I dress is not enough.

Someone is sizing up my kids to see if they measure up. Someone is judging my productivity. Someone is gauging my worship. And no matter how well I do, it's never enough.

There's no joy in this way.

This was my problem with Pentecostalism too. Amazing the transformation that happen to me when I actually started reading the bible for myself.

The gospel is good news and jam packed with promises for the children of God. Most Apostolic churches focus on Acts 2:38 as the gospel and this false foundation leads to all sorts of issues.

[Michael The Disciple]

Why not begin a relationship with Jesus Christ? It sounds as if you must be walking in the doctrines and precepts of men. What Jesus requires is that you be perfect with HIM.

Do his will. Abide in him. Dont live for the approval of men.

44: How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 5:44

12: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Cor. 10:12

Maybe you need to leave a Church like you are describing and find one (if possible) that will hold the standard of Jesus and his word?

If you cant find one you may have to leave Church to find Jesus. Bottom line:

The way of Jesus demands your full consecration. Yet when you give it in faith TO HIM not concerned about the standards of men your faith will work. He will manifest himself to you and you will know his joy.

Dont turn from Christ because of bad Churches. Turn from bad Churches to Christ.

[Adino]

Originally Posted by moniker

My parents were the type of people that were the first ones to church, and the last to leave. They were in the Apostolic faith for several years. They raised their family in that way.

But when us kids became teenagers, my mom and dad started slipping in their commitment to the church and God. They eventually left the Apostolic faith and didn't go to church anywhere for many years.

I stayed in church even after my parents left. I never understood why they left it. I was angry at them over it. Years later, I finally got up the nerve and asked my parents why they made the choice to leave. They both said that they never felt saved. They felt like it didn't matter what they did, it was never enough.

It didn't matter if they were baptized, talked in tongues and tithed. It didn't matter if they were committed and faithful. They were always led to believe they needed to do more. They left the church because they got tired of feeling defeated. That they weren't good enough. That they were always just one little mistake away from death and Hell.

There was no joy in their lives.

For a long time I thought they said these things as an excuse to sin. But here I am, years later, and I feel the same way now they did back then.

It's never enough. No matter what I do, it's never enough. Someone is always standing by to tell me my service is not enough, my giving is not enough and the way I dress is not enough.

Someone is sizing up my kids to see if they measure up. Someone is judging my productivity. Someone is gauging my worship. And no matter how well I do, it's never enough.

There's no joy in this way.

Until a man comes to the realization that he must cease working in order to fully rest in Christ's finished work he will never truly know what it means to 'enter into Christ's rest.'

Christ did ALL that is necessary for us to be right before God. The more we depend on the sufficiency of his work, the less we depend on our own conduct. Conversely, the more we depend on being 'good enough' the less we depend on the goodness of Christ for our status before God.

Peace and assurance of salvation will only come once we accept that we can never be good enough and rest in the righteousness of Christ. Accept that we can never do enough to merit a right standing before God (in fact, all our righteousness is as filthy rags) and rest in a righteousness imputed to us by faith alone.

Our justification is founded on the work of Christ, not on our own righteous acts.

Performance based acceptance VS acceptance based performance.

LAW vs GRACE

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by moniker

My parents were the type of people that were the first ones to church, and the last to leave. They were in the Apostolic faith for several years. They raised their family in that way.

But when us kids became teenagers, my mom and dad started slipping in their commitment to the church and God. They eventually left the Apostolic faith and didn't go to church anywhere for many years.

I stayed in church even after my parents left. I never understood why they left it. I was angry at them over it. Years later, I finally got up the nerve and asked my parents why they made the choice to leave. They both said that they never felt saved. They felt like it didn't matter what they did, it was never enough.

It didn't matter if they were baptized, talked in tongues and tithed. It didn't matter if they were committed and faithful. They were always led to believe they needed to do more. They left the church because they got tired of feeling defeated. That they weren't good enough. That they were always just one little mistake away from death and Hell.

There was no joy in their lives.

For a long time I thought they said these things as an excuse to sin. But here I am, years later, and I feel the same way now they did back then.

It's never enough. No matter what I do, it's never enough. Someone is always standing by to tell me my service is not enough, my giving is not enough and the way I dress is not enough.

Someone is sizing up my kids to see if they measure up. Someone is judging my productivity. Someone is gauging my worship. And no matter how well I do, it's never enough.

There's no joy in this way.

*sigh* No comment...don't trust myself.

[KWSS1976]

Be glad when ya'll stop letting the preacher make yall fill guilty....LOL

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Why not begin a relationship with Jesus Christ? It sounds as if you must be walking in the doctrines and precepts of men. What Jesus requires is that you be perfect with HIM.

Do his will. Abide in him. Dont live for the approval of men.

44: How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? John 5:44

12: For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 2 Cor. 10:12

Maybe you need to leave a Church like you are describing and find one (if possible) that will hold the standard of Jesus and his word?

If you cant find one you may have to leave Church to find Jesus. Bottom line:

The way of Jesus demands your full consecration. Yet when you give it in faith TO HIM not concerned about the standards of men your faith will work. He will manifest himself to you and you will know his joy.

Dont turn from Christ because of bad Churches. Turn from bad Churches to Christ.

I read a short story given to me by an AOG PW when I was going through it...and the title: The Journey

It described how you must leave Christian City to reach the City of God. Sounds like most of us have been born and bred in Christian City and if we make it to the City of God it will be despite all the irrational and unBiblical beliefs we have accept and been taught through the years.

Blessings, Rhoni