I recently read one person’s "view" concerning
what is wrong with the church. Much of what this person declared was
skewed, inaccurate, and untrue. However, one item from the gist of his
diatribe was/is correct: The church is not what it ought to be. The
truth is, IT NEVER HAS BEEN!
The church at Corinth
had problems. Lots of problems. Marriage, divorce, brethren suing one
another before the law, tolerance of fellow Christians living in open
sin, the Lord’s Supper, giving, spiritual gifts, conduct in worship. On
and on the list goes (1-2 Corinthians). And, Corinth was not alone.
Galatia had problems
with Judaizers, Ephesus left its first love, Thessalonica had problems
with members not working and becoming busybodies and a burden to the
church, Pergamos had those who held to the doctrines of Balaam and the
Nicolaitans, Thyatira harbored the false prophetess Jezebel, Sardis was
dead, Laodicea was lukewarm, etc, etc, etc (Galatians, Revelation 2-3).
Congregations of the
Lord’s church have problems. They do so because they have people. The
Lord does not minimize nor turn His back on church problems. Neither
should we. Church problems should be dealt with in a manner consistent
with Biblical teaching, and in a way that strengthens the church (Acts
6:1-7). Addressing church problems in a manner that only causes further
division, unrest, hard feelings and a host of other things is ungodly
and wrong (1 Timothy 5:19, 21-22).
In the interest of
fairness and balance, whenever problems and deficiencies in the Lord’s
body are noted, there must also be a mention of what is RIGHT. In
my work here at Fairview and in other places I have seen the following
things that are RIGHT in the church.
1) Elders who want to
do right (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). I have seen elders who care deeply for
the church, keenly feel the responsibility they have freely taken on,
and have the courage and conviction to stand against the "savage" (NKJV)
wolves that threaten the flock (Acts 20:29-32). I profoundly respect and
love men who will serve the Lord and His church in this way. I believe
that our elders at Fairview love the Lord, His church, and want to be
obedient in their lives as Christians and elders.
2) Deacons who
understand and show that they are servants, not an honorary board of
"do-nothings" (1 Timothy 3). The church stands a better chance of
clicking on all cylinders when its deacons are active, diligent, and
faithful in their service. We have some very good, Godly men who serve
as deacons here.
3) Faithful Christians
who serve as song leaders, youth workers, Bible class teachers,
preachers, personal (evangelism) workers, those who help meet benevolent
needs, those who maintain the facilities we meet, teach, and worship in,
etc, etc. These reflect the same love for the church and devotion to God
as others such as Epaphras, Epaphroditus, Acquila & Priscilla, Barnabas,
and Demetrius (Colossians 1:7; 4:12; Philemon 23; 3 John 11-12). We have
a lot of this same talent and desire to serve among many here.
4) Love (John
13:34-35). Congregations whose members genuinely love one another, pray
for one another, and understand that love is best shown by deeds seem to
almost always prosper for the Lord (1 John 3:18). Where there is an
absence of spite, backbiting, and bitterness, and where there is no
effort by anyone to "rule or ruin," agape and phileo love thrive. I see
love at Fairview. As a member of this congregation, I believe that we
could and should grow in love for The Lord and one another (Ephesians
3:17; 4:1-2).
5) "The Unity Of The
Spirit In The Bond of Peace," (Ephesians 4:3). I know congregations
where those who would cause division and strife have, thankfully, not
been given a foothold. In Romans 14:19, the Bible says, "Therefore let
us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one
may edify another." If we spend more time following this inspired
command, there will be less of a tendency to stir up strife, trouble,
division, dissent, and contention in the church.
Unity and peace are
not to be pursued by the compromise of truth or doctrine. As a Godly
mother once observed, "One sin is just as bad as another." However,
unity and peace are not to be totally disregarded as one plows headlong
with a dogged agenda of being "right." Congregations where there is
unity and peace accomplish much for the Lord and glorify God in what
they do (Hebrews 12:14).
I am thankful that
there are congregations of the Lord’s church who have not gone off
either into liberalism or into nazi-like extremism. In Revelation
2:12-17, the Bible says, "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos
write, 'These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword…I know
your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold
fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which
Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan
dwells…But I have a few things against you, because you have there those
who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling
block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols,
and to commit sexual immorality…Thus you also have those who hold the
doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate…Repent, or else I will
come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My
mouth…He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the
churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to
eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name
written which no one knows except him who receives it."
Pergamos, like some of
the other seven churches of Asia, was struggling with elements of the
congregation that had gone off after false teachers, doctrines, and
ways. God writes, through John, to this element and tells them to
repent. But, He also writes to the faithful sector of the church and
commends them for their faithfulness and perseverance even in the face
of martyrdom to one of their own.
I am thankful that we
have brethren at Fairview who will stand against false teachings,
practices, and those who would harm the flock. This congregation has
never been one to condone false teaching, nor does it embrace those who
have shown their scenario to be that of, "ruling or ruining."
I am thankful also that
one of the things "right" with the church involves good works (Matthew
5:16; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:7, 14; 3:8, 14; Hebrews 10:24). Whether it
is door-knocking, providing food for the sick and bereaved,
participating in programs like the, "Bear Hugs," Vacation Bible School,
Family Day, or just going visiting together, those who work and serve so
diligently for the Lord are a great encouragement to others. While there
may be an element in the church that does nothing but criticize,
condemn, and label others, it is plain to see that those who simply want
to work for the Lord far outnumber the other. In proportion to the
harvest, the laborers are few (Matthew 9:37), but thanks be to God for
those who are more than willing to be a part of the "few."
Another thing right
with the church involves Christians using their talents. Jesus said,
"…everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to
whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more..." (Luke
12:48). We have talented song leaders, Bible class teachers, personal
workers, and many others who use their God-given abilities to bring
glory to Him. The only way for the church to grow and prosper for the
Lord is for every part of the body to do its share (Ephesians 4:16). I
am thankful that we have devoted servants of God who realize where their
talents lie, and are not bashful nor ashamed to use these gifts from God
for the good of the Lord’s church.
The church is the bride
of Christ (Revelation 21:1-ff). I have seen some ugly brides. So have
you. But, if one will take the time to look closely at even the ugliest
bride, there is always an element of good than can be seen. We are to
run the Christian race with our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). He is
totally beautiful, spiritually. Nothing about the Lord is repulsive or
deficient. His bride is also to be, "holy and without blemish – not
having spot nor wrinkle," (Ephesians 5:27).
Those who can see
absolutely nothing right with the church do not need pity, but prayer.
They also need an adjustment of their own perverted inner person and
attitudes. As with Simon the sorcerer, their hearts are "…not right in
the sight of God," (Acts 8). However, even in the face of their poisoned
criticisms and periodic efforts to divide the body of Christ, the
church must keep on doing good and serving God. Most Christians
would readily admit that even with all her problems and short-comings
they would rather be IN the church than outside of it (Acts 4:12).