Someone made a really radical comment to me the other day. He said that what the church needs is to openly and honestly confess their sins: To come out of the closet, naked and exposed. Christians are some of the best actors. We know how to fake it. Put on a nice smile. All is well, as far as anyone can tell from looking at us. But the truth is, all is not well. Underneath the exterior, there is pain, bitterness, coveteousness, and a whole slew of other shameful vices. Suppose I was a broken non-believer searching for real connections, where could I turn? To a superficial assembly of people who are afraid to admit their faults? Probably not. Now suppose I was a broken Christian looking for help, where could I turn? I know where I wouldn’t likely turn. I probably wouldn’t turn to the person who appears to have everything together, who always has a happy face at church. That’s probably why people don’t come up to me and spill their problems. For one, I’m just a kid to most. And second, I put on the happy face. I try to keep my skeletons in the closet. It would be too embarrassing should they ever get out. What would people think of me then? I’m a sunday school teacher for crying out loud. Let me at least pretend that everything is fine:) All kidding aside. The truth of the matter is this: The gospel frees us from the judgment of men. Because we, sinful man, have been justified through the Messiah and fully accepted by God, we are free to confess our sins to one another and seek His grace together. There’s no need to hide. We can take off the mask and be exposed to the cold. Jesus will clothe us.
January 21, 2009
January 14, 2009
Good News Now
The gospel is for us here and now. This is not a new idea, but certainly one that is often forgotten. I guess it’s easier to believe that the gospel deals with our past and prepares us for a future heaven, but just not relevant for the present. We tend to think that now that we’re saved, the gospel is no longer for us, and we are left to live obedient lives. So we take up arms and become active church attenders, regular givers, law keepers, activists for good causes, experts of the Bible, networking with other christians, and seeking new religious experiences. Don’t get me wrong, these are all good things and they have their place in the christian life. The problem comes when one or more of these things become our new identity. Self-righteousness creeps in and before long, we begin judging others by our standard. We forget the gospel and start to establish a righteousness of our own. This is me! I am the “we” in this post. My life is about obeying rules, doing my duties, becoming an expert in the Bible, and having as many christians as I can think well of me. That somehow, by doing these things, I’ll earn the most coveted christian title of all, “godly”. In my pursuit, I lose sight of Christ. I forget the gospel. I get blinded by my utter depravity and start to think that I’m pretty good; unlike the fornicator or pagan down the street. Yes, I understand that I’m accepted only through Christ, but my mind and practice say something else. So what shall we (I) do? Work harder? No. I need to remember my depravity. I need to believe the gospel just as much now as when I was an unconverted sinner and plead for the mercy of God daily. Only when I see my great need and utter foolishness will I run to Christ.
