Let's Talk Church

When a person becomes a Christian, he doesn’t just join a local church because it’s a good habit for growing in spiritual maturity, although it is. He joins a local church because it’s the expression of what Christ has made him—a member of the body of Christ.

We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...a church. This attitude has even produced a generation of church shoppers and hoppers. Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion." It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.

When does a church become healthy and perfect? A healthy church is not one that’s perfect and without sin. A healthy church is not a church that's figured everything out. Rather, it’s a church that continually strives to take God’s side in the "struggle" against the ungodly desires of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It’s a church that continually strives to conform itself to God’s Word.

Wow, what a great striving this is!

Areas of Sin That Have Come To Light

Driving to see my mother yesterday, rehabilitating in Sunnyvale from hip surgery, I saw several grain silos along highway 101. The James passage came to my mind.

James 4:13-17
13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit."
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
15 Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that."
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

They seem to be normal people in this passage, talking about business, and how to make more money. Who of us have not had this kind of thought or conversation? But their talk was evil. Why? It was not of faith. They left God out.

Romans 14:23
whatever is not from faith is sin.

We live in this world and must respond and interact with it. But how often do we engage in idle chatter about worldly things, and leave God out of it and out of the attitude of our conversations? Paul wrote to Timothy, avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, (2 Timothy 2:16).

Could it be that we Christians often find ourselves committing these kinds of sins? Sins of omission? It drains us of spiritual power. Sin weakens us...strains our marriages. Is it true that we should be constantly seeking (Matt. 6:33), and placing our mind on things above? I believe if you remove these sins of omission, you will experience a much greater degree of freedom from the sins of commission. I must say, the following passages have found new meaning in my own life.

Colossians 3:1-2
…keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

...Rejoice always...in everything give thanks...pray without ceasing...

Proverbs 3:5-10
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.