Whatever Happened To God's Love

Once upon a time, when I wasn't yet a Christian,

I went to church services every week

To worship God and learn how to serve Him

In the beginning, the people were very kind 

They'd always greet me with bright smiles

And tell me how happy they were that I was there

They seemed so humble and loving

They seemed so willing and able

To help anyone that needed help

 

How I'd love to hear them sing

Of God's wondrous love and sacrifice for mankind

And their promise to do His precious will each day

I'd listen to Bible classes and sermons

And how they'd present His blessed commandments

They'd teach of how every human being sins

And how God is so ready and willing to forgive

If only we'll repent and ask His forgiveness

They'd teach that the reason for what He commands

Is because He loves man and wants the best for him,

Both in this world and the world to come

They'd tell me how God loves all mankind

And that He wants Christians to do the same

Church services and functions were such great comfort

I could feel the solace of God's presence

 

But sometime after I became a Christian,

They began to act strangely toward me

If I made the smallest and most honest mistakes

Or just didn't do things their own way,

They'd become so upset with me

Suddenly, they were always criticizing me;

Sometimes for such ridiculous reasons

Suddenly, it was like condemning me was their sport

They used to tell me how they were so happy

To see me in the house of God

But now, it's like they seek protection from me

And that it's 'everybody's church but mine'

They used to tell me that God's love was eternal

And that He wanted the best for all mankind

But now, it's like they want me to think

That God's true reason for what He commands

Is strictly because of His own self-love

And because He wants merely to abuse mankind

Before sending as many as He can to Hell

It's almost like they're trying to convince me

That God hates me for things I've done

And has singled me out for destruction

It seems they'll say and do anything

To justify their own self-righteous attitudes

 

Church services and functions once brought me such joy

With such Christian love and kindness all around

Today, I hardly feel like I'm in God's house

With all the hate and arrogance therein

Of course, His word says we're not to live sinfully

But not living sinfully includes loving each other,

That we must not seek to condemn each other

But speak softly to them of their error

That we might lead them back to His way

I pray that their spirits may grow

Into the realization that they're wrong

To be so hateful and arrogant

For despite everything I've faced from them,

I still believe with all my heart and soul

That the only thing God hates is sin

Because of how it hurts mankind in every way

And that He wants me to have the same attitude

It's the only way my spirit can grow

 

 

Original pen date:  September 19, 2008

 

 

 

Reviews

[Eric Cox]

It's horrible what you went through. I believe you are right, God hates sin, everyone should be kind to each other. Great poem.

[icecream101]

omg that's horrible. good poem tho heh...

[H]

This... makes me so sad. Something like that had happened to me once. Acceptance is a hard thing to come by. I think your poem tells that story.