We’re Not “Church Goers,” But We Are Believers
This blog comes with a guarantee that some readers will be thoroughly ticked off by my position. Before you dismiss this out of hand, how many times have you heard “Christians” say, “I am a believer, I just don’t go to church?” I’ve heard it a lot. And there are probably as many definitions for “red blooded Christian” as there are people who claim the identification. I will be the first to admit such a sentiment doesn’t fly with me. Wouldn’t fly with Jesus or Paul either, I betcha.
I’m not going to dwell on the commonly used excuse that someone or something at sometime ticked me off at a church. Join the club. People disappoint – even fail. Expectations go unmet. Church fellowship gets messy, especially as intimacy deepens. We don’t get our “way” with a lot of things. Let’s face it, the church is comprised of broken, wounded, confused, misdirected, over busy, healing, immature, and maturing people. Flesh and blood. Sometimes too much flesh. There’s a lot of good folks with warm intentions mixed in to be sure, but, the church has always been somewhat of a “rag tag” group no matter how well dressed we are. Some term it a “hospital.”
The writer of Hebrews in Chapter 10 talks about our need to encourage one another, and goes on to say we are to “spur one another on to love and good deeds . . . and not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” You see, when God saves sinners, He saves us to community. Isolation is NOT an option for a believer. Not at the lake, not at the golf course, not even at the church building. Nowhere in the bible does it say that one can have Christ the Head without Christ the body. A real relationship with Christ shows itself in a real relationships with His people. To neglect the body of Christ is to neglect Christ. No two ways about it. I hope it doesn’t sound trite to remind us all of the importance of the church to Jesus. Christ is the one who builds the church, and gave His life to create it.
So here’s the deal. Three parts. Decide whether you want to have a real relationship with Christ on His terms. Understand the body has its weaknesses and limitations. (After all, you and I are part of the problem too.) Then find and invest yourself in a fellowship where you have the passion to connect, serve, grow spiritually, and mature in your capacity to overlook the small stuff or roll up your sleeves and help correct it.
Mark Carlson
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