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being
truly different
by
john o'keefe
2
Corinthians 5
16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of
view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new
has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to
himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
we
were all sitting around one night, some time back, talking about a ton of
different stuff; because some where church goers the conversation soon turned to the church.
as we discussed what we believed would be the future of the church in
america (and most of us felt
good about the possibilities) we all felt that the current incarnation
of the church could stand some major changes. many, but mostly the
non-goers, felt that the current incarnation of the church was not
meeting needs or helping people with life issues. let me share
with you what came out of the conversation
many
churches today - fundamental, evangelical, liberal, or any other category
you desire to place a church in - teach a "cultural
faith" - a faith based on "good old american values" like
independence, democracy, being a patriotic person, it is a faith based on the
"red, white and blue" and the perceived values of the 1950's.
it was funny how the "camps" divided on this, and other,
issues. the "goers" felt that needed to call people back
to a "solid theology," while those who were
"non-goers" felt that the "solid theology" they
desired to call us to was outdated and rooted in some kind of "victorian"
past. many of the "non-goers" felt that the church was
out of touch, and was using non-biblical ideas to determine what it did
in the world. but even more then any question of theology, was the
reality that many of the "non-goers" and "ex-goers"
all felt that the church was not a very inviting place for them, and
others. here is how i saw the discussion going.
over the
past i have heard pastors and other church leaders say that the church "is only human" and that it
has "the
same pains and problems found in the rest of the world" - but where
is the scriptural support for such an understanding? you see, i
believe to claim to be a follower of christ you must be change, for the
better - people inside the church must be loving, open, welcoming and
forgiving - but they are not.
Therefore,
rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and
slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk,
so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have
tasted that the Lord is good. (1
peter 2:1-3)
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by
all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being
hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our
Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had
done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of
rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been
justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal
life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these
things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote
themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and
profitable for everyone. (titus
3:3-9)
You
were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new
in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be
like God in true righteousness and holiness.
(Ephesians 4:22-24)
for
me it is simple, if a church is unwelcoming it is not a community of
faith that follows the teaching of the way. now, that may be
harsh, and that may seem judgmental, but at what point are we going to
stand up and say that we must be changed to be a christian - if we are
just like the world, what good is the faith? if we have not been
changed, what good is christ in our lives? if we have not been
changed, why are we desiring to share our faith with the world? it
is like the words to that nickelback song, "love can not save
us, look what love gave us."
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from
the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the
old way of the written code. (romans
7:6)
May
I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through
which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new
creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the
Israel of God. (galatians
6:14-16)
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with
its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in
knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew,
circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but
Christ is all, and is in all. (colossians
3:9-11)
most people in church have no
understanding of forgiveness - "true" and "absolute" forgiveness. they have
replaced "forgiveness" with a concept of "silence."
we some how think that we need to have the
american concept "tough love." no place in scripture are
the words "tough" and "love" used together - no
where. in fact, paul tells us that love is not to be tough - it is
to be kind, forgiving, and open - it is always to forgive, always to
accept and always to push us beyond our personal safety zone and into
the danger of standing naked before the world, looking the fool - can
you love like that? to truly be forgiven, you must forgive - it
truly is that simple. if you do not forgive others for their sins
against you, God will not forgive you your sins against him and others.
And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For
if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your
Father will not forgive your sins. (matthew
6:13-15)
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have
against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (colossians
3:12-14)
you see
i believe the people of the church must be different from the world
around us - if not, why should anyone go to church - after all, it is
not required for salvation. if the people in the church are no
better then the people outside the church - why go?
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