Getting Back to God's Idea

We as Christians are the Church, not merely members of a church but the composition of The Church itself.  We who have come to Christ, are a house made up of living stones being built by the Lord as we grow in maturity and in our numbers.   The building is not the church, so we no longer ”go to church”. The church is not as series of events, so we don’t “attend church”. The church is not a standard set of rituals, or practices, so we don’t “do church” These false concepts must be shed in order for us to truly accomplish what the Lord had in mind for us in the beginning. When the church doesn't function in the manner that it was intended to it's difficult for it to accomplish the purpose for which it was established.  In the early days of the church,  gatherings were conducted in public places as well as in private homes, but the church was being lived out everywhere that Christians went. For the church is constructed of living stones, the people of God.  I would suggest to you that Christ intended for us to go live Him out in whatever venue we are in   We need to be fully committed to discovering what God intended the church to be and then helping the believers around us to be just that,                                                                            The Church.  

A Good Looking Hypocrite

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-15

Keep open house.  Well, that would require me to keep a clean house.  Now, my wife and I have people in our home every week, so the place gets a lot of traffic every Sunday.  Add to that two boys living there- well, three now that I think of it- and it’s a wonder the place is still standing.  I think the above passage that urges us to keep open house is suggesting not only that we open our homes to others, but that we share our lives with them as well.  You see, when people come over, they get to see all of your stuff.  Even our junk rooms and drawers end up getting laid out bare before others.  I think that’s part of what Jesus wanted- Authentic Living.  

Authentic Living

I once heard it said that character is looking the same in private as you do in public, or maybe you have heard the question, “Who are you when no one is looking?” I like to use the construction term Integrity.  It means consistency of strength.  If a bridge is built with steel that looks good on the outside but is full of air pockets and weak welds, it may look really good but come crashing down as the traffic begins to cross it.  You may be one of those all-or-nothing type of people who read this and think that you have to be perfect; that your every private action needs to be bathed in perfection, or you are nothing but just a good-looking hypocrite. 

A Good Looking Hypocrite

Well, if you struggle with acting the same in front of people as you do when no one is looking, you are in good company.  First off, no one is perfect all of the time.  Many of us fake perfection when we are around unbelievers to sort of sell Christianity as this magic pill that makes you perfect if you just pray the sinner’s prayer (whatever that is).  This is counter-productive because when new believers (or at least those that took the magic pill) start to struggle with their old ways- like the second day of their Christian walk- then they figure they didn’t really have a supernatural, change-oriented experience. This leads to legalism or cynicism.  Many others of us fake perfection when around other believers so that we will look good, be a part of the “in” crowd at church, or at least feel good about our choices a few hours a week.

I happen to like Paul’s writings (you know Paul, the one who was Holy Spirit inspired to write the majority of the new part of the Bible) where he says:

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing”  Rom. 7:19

I think there is something to be said for growth in Christian maturity for sure.  I‘m just betting that it doesn’t come from disciplining yourself to live up to the law.  Otherwise why would Christ’s sacrifice be necessary?  True transformation of behavior comes from a transformed heart and a renewed mind, both of which the scripture seems to point out happen as we get to know Jesus better and better. 

The consistency or integrity that comes from authentic living doesn’t demand perfection, but realism.  People need to see our good, our bad, and even our ugly.  It’s the same principle I try to use in parenting.  When I fail or blow it with my kids, I make sure to point out my mistake to them and say that I’m sorry and ask for their forgiveness.  You see, I don’t want to foster in them the idea that it’s okay to act like ours doesn’t stink.  It’s incredibly beneficial to my kids, my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as my unbelieving friends to see how someone who is friends with Jesus deals with their own failures.  I don’t flaunt my freedom to sin and get away with it thanks to the sacrifice of Christ.  On the contrary, I highlight not just my struggles, but my repentance.  Not so that I can get to heaven but because it’s good for me and it is the right thing to do.  You see, regardless of my failures, I believe Jesus is happy with me and I try to let people know that.  I’m convinced he is paying attention to my successes instead of my failures, and as I get to know him better and better, my failures decrease and my successes increase.  I think they call this a batting average in baseball, and you can be sure that God’s not keeping track of yours.  

2 Corinthians 11:30 “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

So open up your house and your life to others.  You and they will find it refreshing.  It’s also attractive to people who are hurting and hungry for something real.  If you have a hard time accepting this, ask God to show you if it’s because you really needed to hear it. 

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.”   2 Corinthians 5:19