Our worse failings are redemptive if we let God use them to get our attention and bring us to repentance.
Alternatively, we can let them destroy us.
That’s why I seldom freak out when someone stumbles – many times I’ve seen it become a turning point for amazing redemptive transformation.
But whether for destruction or redemption, it’s always our choice.
That’s because spiritual health and maturity are not about perfection …
But rather how we deal with our imperfections.
Few are willing to do the hard work of actually being the church.
You know, an active community of believers who encourage and minister to each other …
Both when they gather together and throughout their daily lives.
Most, instead, are content to pay others to do “church” for them …
From an elevated podium and stage each Sunday morning.
Be exceptional!
Dare to be the church as the New Testament actually shows it …
And leave that other stuff behind.
Those who use God’s blessings to pursue Satan’s temptings…
Suffer fates far worse than those who never knew His blessings at all.
Many “Christian” these days …
Want spectacle over obedience.
Which is why “worship” these days …
Is spectacle rather than obedience.
Because I love Christ, I’ve opened my home and my life to those abused by people who use Christ to exploit others.
Because I love Christ, I’ve ministered to people in jail and the woods with whom polite society won’t dirty their lives.
Because I love Christ, I’ve loved His “ekklesia” rather than the man-centered institution often called the “church” these days.
Because I love Christ, I’m still willing to exceed my comfort zones.
How about you?
Loving God is not enough,
Because without repentance,
It’s not God you love …
But your own concept of Him.
Master the art of vague generalities, and you too can find fame and notoriety …
As a for-profit non-prophet.
Church in the New Testament is never about gathering to experience God’s presence …
But about expressing His presence – hopefully already in you – one to another so we can encourage and strengthen each other.
Nor is it about having a “worship service” …
But about including congregational singing of God’s praises to encourage each other so we can live daily lives of reverant obedience to Him, which is true worship.
It also is never about a monologue sermon by the one …
But about all ministering to one another to motivate each other to love and good works.
So why do Christians accept anything less …
Each Sunday morning?
Being an adult means fully bearing the costs, and the consequences, of our own choices.
Unfortunately, many parents today don’t let that happen …
Then wonder why their “grown” kids are such failures at life.
Tragically, I frequently see this as I go into our local jail …
Mostly among twenty-something boys from middle class families.
Even more tragically, the parents and their churches often continue – out of guilt – to enable their immaturity even when they get out.
It never turns out well.
Do them a favor:
Let ’em fail!
Stop enabling them and let them begin to experience the full, unmitigated consequences of their choices …
Even if it means they go homeless and risk destitution until they begin making mature decisions and start to grow up.
Being allowed to become homeless and nearly destitute will be a great shock to them – and they may initially stumbled badly – but with time I’ve always seen it turn out to be the best thing for them.
For the first time, they learn to grow up and own their own future.
These are not theoretical musings, but how our churches over the years have helped guys from the jail who had no family but needed to grow up.
In the long run, tough love may be the best love you can give.
A Christian can’t truly love the LGBTQ community …
Without opposing the deceptions that trap them in sin and bondage.
The modern “church” was born …
When folks discovered they could find fame and fortune by putting on a good show each Sunday and calling it “worship”.
It takes a community …
To make a disciple.
God is …
Therefore, I think.
Misplaced Loyalties:
Getting more upset about abuse, lies and cover-up being exposed in your beloved “church” and its leaders …
Than about the impact of that abuse on the victims.
God will not hold you blameless.
I’ve seen more carnal rubbish under claims of being “in the Spirit” than I care to remember.
In contrast, I’ve found that those who live lives of simple humility and faithful obedience …
More often are the real deal.
Don’t be bashful:
We need to publicly ask those who publicly tell everyone how to do or be the church (whether organic, missional, traditional or whatever) …
If they themselves are part of one – in their own lives and hometowns – like they keep promoting to others.
You may be shocked at how often they aren’t.
But hey, that shouldn’t stop them from peddling their ear-tickling ideas, books, blogs and conferences to unsuspecting audiences.
Right?
🤔
You will never succeed …
Unless you’re willing to fail.
However, never risk more failure …
Than you can possibly survive.
As you then learn to successfully fail …
Mistakes will create new opportunities.
If you’re not a disciple …
You’re not a Christian.
Because there is no “Christ” in “Christian” …
Without God’s rule.
Until you admit that “church” as you know it, is not how the Bible actually shows it …
You will remain stuck in your rut.
If we’re not about redemption, then what hope does anyone have?
This is my passion.
This is my cause.
But it ain’t neat and it ain’t tidy.
It’s raw and sometimes ugly.
Because if Jesus doesn’t work for the worse of us …
Then He works for none of us.
God’s presence without His sovereignty …
Is an impossibility.
Which is why I’m convinced that what we call “worship” and “His presence” at many “churches” these days …
Is so bogus.
On Sunday, many go hear their pastor as part of his congregation.
In contrast, I am part of a participatory congregation that ministers – pastorally and otherwise – one to another …
Without the distraction of those solo and monologue “pastor” things others do.
Interestingly, churches in the New Testament did fine without them also.
There’s nothing entertaining …
About authentic worship.
Because worship, as the New Testament actually defines it, means living holy lives of humble submission and faithful obedience.
Which may explain why real worship today among many “churches” and “believers” …
Is so rare.
So last Sunday morning, were you part of:
The Jesus Show (“church” on a stage) …
Or the Body of Christ (ministry one to another)?
Revivals come and revivals go …
But true repentance lasts forever.
Plumbline Faith 