About Churchgoing

I have been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a clever and unique book.  It is a fictional series of letters from uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, the older demon giving advice concerning how to influence his "patient," the soul assigned to his care, to ensure he goes to hell.  In this book everything is upside down:  the "Enemy" is God and the "Father" is Satan.  Whilst this book was never intended to be a book of theology, it turns the thinking of born again Christians to profitable self-examination.  We are told there is a spiritual battle we are to contend in, having been provided spiritual armor by the Holy Spirit, yet the reality of it can be lost on us.  The insights of C.S. Lewis are helpful to expose the subtle ways the enemy of our souls works to undermine the good work God intends to do in and through us.

Lewis hit upon a topic of great relevance for people today:  the need for Christians to be in regular fellowship.  Consider what uncle Screwtape wrote to his demon trainee:

"You mentioned casually in your last letter that the patient has continued to attend one church, and one only, since he was converted, and that he is not wholly pleased with it.  May I ask what you are about?  Why have I no report on the causes of his fidelity to the parish church?  Do you realise that unless it is due to indifference it is a very bad thing?  Surely you know that if a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that 'suits' him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.

The reasons are obvious.  In the first place the parochial organisation should always be attacked, because, being a unity of place and not of likings, it brings people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.  The congregational principle, on the other hand, makes each church into a kind of club, and finally, if all goes well, into a coterie or faction.  In the second place, the search for a 'suitable' church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.  What He wants of the layman in church is an attitude which may, indeed, be critical in the sense of rejection what is false or unhelpful, but which is wholly uncritical in the sense that it does not appraise--does not waste time in thinking about what it rejects, but lays itself open in uncommenting, humble receptivity to any nourishment that is going. (You see how grovelling, how unspiritual, how irredeemably vulgar He is!)  This attitude, especially during sermons, creates the condition (most hostile to our whole policy) in which platitudes can become really audible to a human soul.  There is hardly any sermon, or any book, which may not be dangerous to us if it is received in this temper.  So pray bestir yourself and send this fool the round of the neighbouring churches as soon as possible.  Your record up to date has not given us much satisfaction." (Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity & the Screwtape Letters: Complete in One Volume. HarperSanFrancisco, 2003. pages 321-322)

I have often marveled at the diversity of backgrounds, ages, interests, and personalities at one church.  It is Jesus Christ who unites us as one Body yet we are so different!  When our hearts are humbled and meek before God by the indwelling Holy Spirit we can be receptive and discerning of truth at the same time.  We can joyfully attend a fellowship where God has directed us to go even when personalities, programs, and philosophies differ from our liking.  It is love, grace, and unity only Christ brings which keeps us from clashing and instead labour to edify and strengthen the Body as we follow our Saviour faithfully.  When Christians walk in an attitude of humility we are receptive to God and this is most devastating to Satan's devices.  Until God takes you elsewhere according to His divine purpose, flourish in the local church where He has established you.  Instead of becoming critics of others let's remain receptive and teachable by God--and this means we will welcome instruction and correction of men.

All Springs in Jesus Christ

Long before dawn I awoke this morning with the phrase in my mind, "All my springs are in you."  Throughout the morning I have been reminded of the passage of scripture so I searched and found it in Psalm 87.   The context of the song extols God as supreme, that He dwells in Zion, and draws people of many nations to Himself.  Psalm 87:7 reads, "Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you."  It is fitting Jerusalem is situated upon a spring of fresh water which flows to this day, a picture of the life, provision, satisfaction, and refreshment which is found in God alone.  He truly is the source and fountain of all blessing.

When the children of Israel departed from Egypt, God supplied their every need.  Bread, meat, and water was miraculously provided for the great multitude.  Their lives did not depend upon their ability to find springs of water, their wisdom or discernment to discover an oasis, or their strength to dig deep enough:  God brought them water out of the rock when they were thirsty.  This was one great lesson of the long season in the wilderness, that their satisfaction and life was in God alone.  This perspective was echoed by Jesus Christ who bid His followers seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all would be added to them.  God created us needy and knows how to provide for His own in His time and marvelous way.

The springs God provided in the wilderness satisfied the bodies of man and beast but Jesus revealed He is able to provide for our spiritual needs as well.  He told the Samaritan woman at the well He was able to provide living water--which in the culture was fresh, running water in contrast to stagnant water in a cistern or well.  John 4:13-14 says, "Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."  What He meant is further explained in John 7:37-39:  "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.³⁸ He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
³⁹  But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."  All our springs are in Jesus.

How good this is!  We do not need to seek out spiritual experiences, more dynamic worship services, look for fulfillment in service, or hope to find meaning in a legacy which ultimately will fade away:  all our springs are in Jesus Christ.  In seeking Jesus in faith we are made fruitful by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  Our spiritual thirst is satisfied in Him alone.  As long as we seek contentment in our circumstances, relationships with others, financial security, or in anything of this world which is perishing, though we have been born again emptiness and feelings of lack will plague us.  Consider God's love and care on those who He will bring out of the Great Tribulation in Revelation 7:15-17:  "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them. ¹⁶ They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; ¹⁷ for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  Does God love us any less, also having purchased and redeemed us with the blood of Jesus?

We do not need to go to Jerusalem or immerse ourselves in the Gihon spring to be filled to overflowing with the living water Jesus gives to all who trust in Him.  He has come to us; God has made a way for us to experience His presence and eternal life forever.  How this satisfies the souls of those who seek Christ and His righteousness!  All who are thirsty come to Jesus and drink, for He causes rivers of living water to flow from our hearts.

Tolerance and Love

I recently was struck by the fundamental difference between tolerance and love.  Tolerance, to endure or allow what is not wholly approved, to bear or put up with, can be done with love as the motivation.  But tolerance in itself can be merely external and with effort can be accomplished politely whilst hatred is concealed within.  From a young age we learn to comply with directives from parents, teachers, bullies, rules or laws we think are silly, and we are conditioned to be tolerant of differences.  Tolerance has its place in a diverse society to be sure yet should never be confused with the love of God which is to mark the lives of Christians.

Love which is produced by the presence of the Holy Spirit is a defining characteristic of followers of Jesus Christ.  Paul exhorted in Romans 13:8, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  Those who have been born again through faith in Christ are empowered to love others, and this is practically experienced through divine power and personal choice.  I freely confess many times I unwittingly substituted tolerance for love and good manners for kindness and compassion.  The irony is we can be proud of our tolerance of other people when our efforts fall woefully short of the grace and mercy God has shown us.  Because of God's love due to His goodness--not our worthiness--He gave Himself for our salvation and deliverance from the death we deserve.

In a world which touts tolerance as a great virtue, in a society which idolises individuality that conforms to their passions (and ironically savages who they deem intolerant), God's love transcends all the selfishness, fear, and pressure of this age.  The world tolerates those who conform to their ever-shifting standards, but praise the LORD He brings transformation of our hearts through the Gospel which is true and endures.  As Christians in a secular world there is a degree of tolerance required to navigate this world peaceably (as much as depends upon us according to Romans 12:8), and at the same time ensure we do not tolerate the sin of putting up with people instead of loving them like God does.  Believers walking in love towards people who share little to nothing in common is a way God has made for His love to be revealed.

If we will obey the numerous "one another" commands in scripture, it means we must walk in God's love as we spend time with other people who have different personalities, convictions, and perspectives.  In one local church alone there is a shocking amount of diversity between the various members because of backgrounds, beliefs, age, and interests, yet all are united by faith in Jesus Christ.  As unique members of the body of Christ it is fitting the hand should love the foot as they work together as part of the church.  It is not the Law of Moses but the love of God which unites and governs us, and walking in love is to be a primary aim as is written in 1 Peter 1:22-23, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, ²³ having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever..."

Tolerance has its place in our world, but it is never an adequate substitute for God's active love.

The Price of Neglect

God can use things like simple yardwork to convey spiritual truth.  I spent the morning chopping down a rogue jasmine vine which had taken over several plants in the vicinity.  I realised the lush green which blanketed the area was a jasmine vine which quickly spread.  Most likely it wasn't that the vine that grew so quickly, but a demonstration of the high price of neglect.

Truth be told, I am a low-maintenance gardener.  My focus had been on the turf while the vine slowly crept, twisting around other plants, choking out light and nutrients.  The result of passing glances without closer inspection resulted in not realising how prolific the jasmine vine had become:  the fresh green looked healthy but hid problems.  Attacking the jasmine brought my attention to a hollowed out bottle-brush tree and a bush which was also overgrown.  It was easy to chop off the shoots but the root stock is a solid mass.  Because of the limited size of my bin trimming and removal of the plants and roots will take weeks.

The high price of neglect doesn't only present itself in a garden but in the health of our body, soul, and relationships with God and others.  The dangerous thing about neglecting these attributes of life is how subtle they can be and how extensive the damage can be when all seems well.  It is good for us to realise regular effort of maintenance is far less costly and labour intensive than working to overcome neglect.  And sometimes neglect can inflict damage so severe no amount of work can reverse it.  Neglected homes, marriages, and physical health can be ruined beyond repair.

God is gracious to teach us lessons through overgrown vines to work on marriage or physical fitness.  Assuming green growth was a healthy signal caused neglect of what needed serious attention underneath.  Our intentions and habits need to be cleared away often to examine the condition of our hearts.  Thankfulness to God for all He has provided directs us to best maintain the things of life which matter most.