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Trouble with the Church
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12
It’s obvious; the world has trouble with the church. In virtually all aspects of human life, two messages prevail. The first message seems to be “Get what you can and keep it for yourself.” The second is like it, “Do what you want, when you want.” Of course, these messages are contrary to the gospel; therefore, the world has a problem with the church.
Sadly, it seems Christians also have trouble with the church. Often, someone will make the statement, “I don’t need to go to church to be a Christian.” Others say, “I experience God in my own way.” Such statements are contrary to scripture. It’s for this reason I say even Christians have trouble with the church.
A common reason people remain unchurched is because they don’t see any appreciable difference in the way Christians live their lives. Too often, Christians, especially those who go it alone, fall into the worldly pattern of living according to worldly expectations rather than God’s calling. We do what we want, when we want. We get as much as we can get and keep it for ourselves. We only give to those whom we deem “worthy.” It is no wonder the world has trouble with the church.
All people are sinners and face temptations. Even the most devout and spiritual Christians need to be encouraged in their faith. Thinking you can remain faithful on your own is perhaps Satan’s most potent weapon. Keeping our faith “private” and not gathering for worship with other Christians causes many to believe they are living according to a higher standard, when in reality, they are living according to a worldly standard. By ourselves, lone Christians become easy prey for the powers that defy God.
Peter exhorts Christians to live as people who are freed from sin in Christ Jesus, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, selfish attitudes, and behaviors, but living as true servants of God. The community of faith is a Christian’s sure defense against the powers of sin. The very nature of being Christian means we worship together, have fellowship with one another, and strengthen one another in faith. We study the Holy Scriptures together, learning more of the ways of God. Just think of what it might look like if the church was known for its faithfulness, love, and compassion, rather than having the world characterize it as a gathering of hypocrites. That’s the kind of trouble I would love for the world to have with the church.
How great would it be if the powers that defy God looked upon St. Jacob’s saying, “Look at those Christians and how they love their God and show mercy and compassion to their neighbor.” To have our community see St. Jacob’s as a living, breathing, example of the power of God’s love within our community and wanting to become a part of who we are is just the sort of trouble with the church that I would love to encounter.
Am I just dreaming? Perhaps, or perhaps not. I believe our congregation is quite a collection of God’s people blessed with many gifts and talents to become known as just such a place. All we need is prayer and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many who were here before us built St. Jacob’s while living in the face of similar doubts and challenges. My prayer going into this New Year is that we would become just the sort of congregation the world would have trouble with, trouble understanding how we can find such joy in serving our neighbor through the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus. Yes, that is the sort of trouble with the Church I believe the world needs to experience.
Grace to you and peace,
Pastor David Nuottila