You know, I have had a lot to talk about lately. Really I have. The only trouble is that these are things that I either have agreed to keep confidential or they are things that I cannot expose to the world for reasons of my own. I am not in any deep sin or anything, but let’s face it. There are certain things that you just can’t talk about among other Christians due to unfair expectations that are based on societal pressures.
I have consulted a very few trusted people regarding those things I am free to discuss, and have been reminded that in many ways, the American church is not being the church. This is not a deduction I gathered while being consoled by one who just wants to say whatever will sound good for the moment. It is a deduction based on the teachings of the Bible and upon the examples given us in the book of Acts and the epistles.
This is not meant to be taken as a jab at my own church, but at the majority of churches in the US. From my discussions, it seems that a majority of the churches out there have been conformed to this world, rather than transformed by the word of God. Grace (in practice) has been replaced with niceness, and peace (in practice) has been exchanged for complacency. I only wish I felt free to give specific examples. Instead, I will discuss a few passages and allow you to fill in your own examples from your own experience or knowledge of another person’s situation.
Galatians 6:2-5
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.
Are you burdened by a sin that has been hampering your walk? Perhaps it is that besetting sin that you wouldn’t want others to know about. If you say that you are struggling in this, have you made this specific sin known to your church? I would bet you a nickel that you are in such a struggle right now, or perhaps you are between rounds in this boxing match. You may feel free, but deep down you know that the next round is coming up. If you have no experience of this, I fear for you for our sin is what drives us to the cross that we may point to another for our righteousness.
Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
But what about the command given here to bear the burdens of each other within the church? Aren’t we all sinners, saved by the unmerited favor of God? And apart from Him, aren’t we all deserving of Hell? If these two statements are correct, why are we so afraid to reveal our weaknesses to one another? There are so many directions I could go as I compile the various reasons. Pride, self esteem, fear of punishment. All of these are symptoms of our common fall into sin. Adam ate the fruit after being told he would be like God. He wanted to raise himself to that level. And after doing this, he hid in fear.
There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ, at least not from God. But there is enough fear in the church that people would rather shoulder their own burden with a pasted on smile than admit to others that they are in need. It’s the American way. We are taught to pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps, to fight through the pain. Humility is not an attribute that our culture values. But then, Christians are not called to value the same things that the culture feels important. Are we?
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
Our culture teaches that you will be great if you can be regarded as successful based on your own work. Work is a valuable thing, and each person should contribute as they are able, but there are occasions when we cannot balance our load any longer. There are people in the church who are in real need. Many are on their last legs and don’t know where the next rent payment is coming from. The model given to us is of a church where people would sell off some of their excess and give it to the church so it could be distributed to those who have need.
Does this match your experience? Can you imagine anyone in church selling their timeshare so a brother or sister in Christ can taste the relief of knowing that their needs will be met? I’m not even talking about wants here. I’m talking about food, water and shelter. Where is the love that is defined by finding your joy through meeting the needs of others? It is out there. I’m sure it is. I just can’t think of too many examples.
The typical answer to one in a trial, be it sinful or financial, is to pray and trust in God. He is the source of our fulfillment in all things, that is true. But just as the gospel doesn’t spread around the world without the church sending people, God expects His church to suffer for one another as we bear burdens of all kinds together. We are to be the instruments used in the hands of a generous God. And we are to do so with a glad heart.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Regular readers can attest that I rarely complain about anything. This is a blog that seeks to build up and not tear down. But at the same time, how can I look at the model given to us without making some comparison to our American church? The Bible reveals what is to be expected of us in our lives and in our corporate worship. I have no doubt that this ideal will never be fully realized in our sinful bodies, but that doesn’t grant us license to stop trying. Just as we are to fight against our personal sin from of a grateful heart, the church needs to be transformed for the very same reason.
Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
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