Week 8 2013 Just How Ugly Is the Church?

I had an interesting conversation with a neighbor the other day.  This fellow who is approaching his 80th birthday volunteered that he was a non-believer.  As we discussed this revelation I learned that his bride of 54 years, who passed away four years ago, was a believer.  The fact that they were unequally yoked didn’t appear to have had any negative impact on their marriage.  He misses her, but is carrying on with a little help from his sons.  When he announced that he was a non-believer it was with a desire to shock me.  Since he had already told me that he was a political liberal, I really wasn’t all that surprised that he also didn’t believe in God.  However, as we continued our conversation, I soon learned that his belief system was based upon his view of the church.  He told me that the church is ugly.  He said they hate each other, referring to how the different denomination, and non-denominations, treat each other.  This is where he had received his concept of God.  He developed this view as a young boy.  His words struck a nerve.

I didn’t come to know the Lord until I was twenty-seven years old.  I can remember having the same view of the church that my neighbor has.  All of my life I had witnessed the various groups who all claimed to be Christians or Believers, wanting to share their message of love with me, wanting me to join their particular church because it was the best one, or the right one.  When I would ask about another church, the most common response would be that they were wrong and not a part of the “true” church.  It appeared to me that these folks who expressed love for me, and presented a God of love, didn’t love others who were basically offering the same message.  The hypocrisy was overwhelming.  So, I refused to have anything to do with any church.  Fortunately for me, God placed a Christian couple in my life who didn’t try to convert me to a church.  Instead, they lead me to Jesus Christ.  Having been converted to the Lord, developing a relationship with Him, I was able to view the church through His eyes.  With His view, I could share His sorrow over our divisions and lack of love and unity.  And then, I could love the true church, that is, the body of believers without some flawed institutional foundation.  Thus, I am a believer that Christ has placed in His church.  This church doesn’t have a sign over the door, yet, it can be found in places where there is a sign over the door.  This church encompasses believers who have placed their trust in a God who is adorning His church to be a beautiful bride, delivered up to His Son.

So, yes, the church(s) created by mankind for mankind is ugly.  It’s division and shared hatred toward one another is far removed from that which the Lord intended.  But, if our hope is in the Lord, with our faith being in His assurance of salvation, sharing His love for God and each other, then He has added us to His church, that beautiful bride, for which He gave His life!  What church are you a member of?

By the way, as I shared my testimony with my neighbor, he offered that perhaps he might find himself in my position one day.  I pray that it will be so.

Week 7 2013 Words Mean Things

I recently had an online conversation with someone who bought a pen from me.  I ended my post with my standard salutation, “In Him, Rod.”  It has never occurred to me that anyone could possibly be offended with these three words.  However, three months later this person sent me a message that was very kind in its tone, endeavoring to help me be more successful in my online business.  In her response she indicated that my salutation was not very professional, as there just might be someone out there who would not agree with my sentiment, realizing that I am referring to God.  She went on to ask me how I would feel if she signed off with something like, "Yours in Secularism." Or "Religion poisons everything."  It immediately became apparent to me that she had been hurt by someone who had a faith of some sort.  Of course, my first reaction was to be offended and lash out in defense of my faith.  However, that would have just driven her further from the Lord.

As Christians, how often do we use language that is either foreign or offensive to non-Christians?  While we know what we mean, and appreciate the meaning behind our words, others may not have the positive impression.  James tells us that our tongues can be deadly (James 3:3-6).  Our words are powerful!  They can either bless or curse.  Often the same words can do both, depending upon who is receiving those words.  Case in point, “In Him” is extremely offensive to someone who has been burned by some religious zealot, whereas, to another Christian those words signify the one in whom we share our faith and hope.  It is imperative that we remain sensitive toward those who do not yet know the Lord.  Use language they can understand and appreciate, gently leading them to Word of life through unconditional love, demonstrated through the words we share.  Our speech should always be filled with grace, expressing a love for others that mirrors that which Jesus demonstrated.

Week 6 2013 Where Did It Come From?

We were sharing a table aboard our cruise ship this week with three other couples who belong to the same RV club we do.  As we discussed RVing and what it entails to be a full-time RVer, one of the women said that she could never part with her stuff.  As we continued our conversation it became quite apparent that she was very proud of her stuff, feeling like she was entitled to all that she had accumulated.

When we decided to hit the road we sold or gave away nearly everything in our house.  It was a freeing experience, like a huge weight was lifted from our shoulders.  I suppose we had a less difficult time with this process than some because we realize that everything we have is a blessing from God.  Furthermore, we can’t take any of it with us.  However, the primary reason is our knowing where all we have came from.  James writes: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:16-17).”  Notice that he says we are deceived when we think anything we get comes from any other source than the Lord.  Yet, it is very common to hear someone tell you how hard they worked for what they have, and how much they deserve whatever it is.  Ultimately, we have nothing that we deserve.  What we do have is what God has blessed us with.