Colossians 1:18 says of Jesus Christ, "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." Many times in the New Testament, the relationship shared between Jesus and the church is compared to the head and a body. Even as a body cannot function without a head, so the church cannot properly function without Christ. A mistake that many people make is they reduce "the church" to their local fellowship. If offense, strife, or division occurs, people stand in judgment of one another, adding sin to sin. When we are hurt, our tendencies are to lash out or withdraw. Thus hurting people move from church to church or cease fellowship altogether because of what they have suffered. They pin blame on the "church" or even God for their negative experiences instead of the flawed people which comprise it.
I don't want to minimise the pain or rejection many people have experienced after they bared their souls only to face betrayal or embarrassment. Abuses and crimes have been committed by people who profess to know Christ. This is a poor reflection of our Saviour and without repentance is gross hypocrisy. Even as being overtaken by sin does not mean a person is not a genuine Christian, a church with flawed people can be a legitimate part of the body of Christ. We should call sin sin, and the manner in which we do so is a revelation of our heart. We are called to revenge all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled. We are also called to harsh self-examination, removing the plank from our eye before we lunge for the speck in our brother's eye. Our heart should be one of compassion with fervent desire for reconciliation as it is written in Galatians 6:1: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."
Undoubtedly, many people who leave church in a huff over offense have not been obedient to the words spoken by the head Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:15: "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." The temptation is to tell everyone or no one, not even the one who has offended us - because we are certainly NOT offended! It is among the easiest tasks to find fault in people. Therefore it is easy to find flaws in a church filled with sinners saved by grace. Instead of standing in judgment, we ought to give more grace. Love covers a multitude of sins, and being angry does not work the righteousness of God. OK! So your pastor isn't perfect, the secretary was rude, and an usher ignored your complaint! In the face of ungrace, may we give more grace out of a pure heart - for they know not what they do. That follows Christ's example. When we are treated poorly, even by fellow believers, may we turn the other cheek according to Christ's command. Let us not forget the exhortation of 1 Peter 2:19-20, "For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
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For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God." The church is a training ground. It is commendable before God for us to suffer wrong but return good for evil, casting our cares upon God because He cares for us.
Sometimes the frustration of people with their local church is the "vision" or perceived lack thereof. Let me tell you plainly: if everyone in the church kept Christ as the sole focus of their vision, much conflict and judgments would be avoided. Perhaps you are frustrated by the lack of focus on missions or outreach by the church you attend. Many times you have suggested opportunities for involvement for the Body, only to be denied. You say, "We should be doing something. Why aren't we involved in that ministry?" Please hear me, brothers and sisters: what are YOU doing about it? YOU are a member of the body of Christ. YOU are part of the church. When God puts a burden on your heart, that the church ought to be doing something, are YOU being faithful to answer that call? If not, it is YOU who is in sin. God has shown you something to do, and you have refused on account of others not coming along with you. God has led you, but you are waiting for someone else to take the lead. In a church filled with flawed people, by God's grace you can choose to do the right thing in humility. You can be a good example. Your hands are never tied as a servant of the Living God! It is Christ who has given us liberty.
God also desires that we live in unity. We are called to submit to one another in love. We need to respect and obey those God has placed in authority in our lives. We are not to clamour for titles and dictate our terms of service. Christ humbled Himself and we ought to emulate Him, not seeking our own glory. Not one person in the Body of Christ is without accountability before God or men. Let us be faithful to heed 2 Peter 1:5-11: "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
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to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
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to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
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For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
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Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
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for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
You know the old adage: if you point at someone else, three fingers are pointing back at you. When it comes pointing out the flaws in the Body of Christ, if we do so as part of Christ's body we incriminate ourselves. May we walk in love, brothers and sisters. Regardless of where God has us, may we be those who walk soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. Instead of seeking to find fault or blaming others, let us stand up and make our calling and election sure. May our words and deeds be the fragrance of Christ to all!
The New Testament is full of words that cast blame on certain churches or certain people in a church. The key is whether these words are the truth, and that major sins (not "specks") are being addressed by speaking the truth in love. Paul had strong words against the divisions in Corinth, and the leadership of false apostles, who disguised themselves as apostles of Christ. In Rev. 2-3, Christ speaks strong words (through the pen of John) against five of the seven churches (and their false prophets), challenging them to repent--or face losing their privilege of being a "lampstand" (that sheds light instead of darkness). In other words, there is a place for blaming a church, and for calling it to repent. Just before Gal. 6:1 is Paul's list of the works of the flesh, and his warning that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21); earlier Paul accuses Galatian churches of turning to a different gospel, calling them "foolish Galatians," and asking who has bewitched them.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with you! Perhaps I haven't been clear enough or you've missed the main thrust of what I was trying to convey - a church and people within it may be flawed, but "the church" as a whole is Christ's body. If there is sin within us, we must confess and forsake it. When there is sin in the body, we are to approach the sinning party in love and seek to restore them. One person may be a bad reflection of Christ in the church, but their faults should not soil our view of the importance, value, and necessity of the church. My concern is that "the church" receives the blame for sins of "a church" that have not been dealt with according to scripture. We are to do what's right, no matter what might be wrong around us. Sometimes God may move us from a church fellowship because sin is not being dealt with. When we are critical of the church, it is imperative we own it first because we are part of the Christ's body.
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