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10 - Come As You Are... Stay As You Are?

Today many churches are telling people, "Come as you are," when what they really mean is, "Stay as you are"...as in, "Stay in your sins."

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...and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:10)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Today many churches are telling people, "Come as you are," when what they really mean is, "Stay as you are" - that is, "Stay in your sins. We don't want people to feel uncomfortable, so we can guarantee you will not hear anything too convicting in our services. We just want you to come in and feel good, and go out feeling even better."

And so, many people leave the service feeling good emotionally, but they are confused spiritually. Christians go out the doors still not understanding the need to "walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him" (Colossians 1:10). Unbelievers go out the doors feeling great (many thinking they are Christians), but still headed for eternity in Hell.

The Apostle Paul desired far better things for the Colossian church. He explained to them that while those who come to Christ "come as you are," as undeserving sinners, God's kingdom has no place for "stay as you are." God does not let Christians remain comfortable in their sins. The Holy Spirit begins His work of sanctification as soon as you are saved. If you are not seeking to please Christ above all, it is a strong indicator that you are not truly a Christian. You need to go back to the Word, understand the Gospel, and get right with God.

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