I was preparing a message on the dignity of our jobs, no matter what they are. We all have a purpose and, no matter what it may be, we need to be the best we can be. We all fit together as one in the Lord no matter our circumstance. We each compliment and support one another as one body.
Colossians 3:23-24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
That was the message, but the guidance stalled upon that thought. Today, the message came. A parent just asked me an important question that fits with the original message and takes it deeper. The daughter, an young teen, is having a problem with “mean girls” at school. The mother suggested they start going to church and the daughter isn’t too keen on the idea. The question asked is how the daughter can be convinced to give church a try.
Church can be a great place. We idealize it as a welcoming place where we can go to worship the Lord and spend time in fellowship with our extended church family. It is a kind, caring, safe place full of love. This describes our ideas of a church.
Now, we are all sinners who live in a fallen world. We do not have sinful hearts because the world is full of sin…the world is full of sin because we have sinful hearts. Our flaw is that our flesh is careless and selfish– not necessarily in a malicious way. We inherently want…whether it is possessions, or love, or adoration, or popularity, or wealth, or whatever…we want. It is our nature. That’s just the way it is…the flesh is weak.
Some people are mean, from our point of view. They tear others down, they belittle, they mock. Some people oppress others. Most of the time it is their way of building themselves up, or feeling superior, of feeling in control, or feeling as if they have power. They are trying to fill a void that the flesh always wants filled. They never realize that they must come to terms with what is going on within themselves. They fail to see the truth. For you Matrix fans, there is no spoon.
Power, control, and superiority belong to the Lord. We can exercise power over others, but to what end other than to feel as if we have power? Our flesh is hungry and always needs feeding. It gives way to thought which becomes desire, desire becomes lust, and lust becomes action conceiving sin (See James 1:14-15). We all have our own temptations and weaknesses to contend with. Life is even more difficult when we are subject to the sin of others.
Now, every saved person needs to be a part of a gospel-preaching, Bible-believing church. We must keep in mind that every church is made up of people – regular, imperfect, sinful, people. Just as in the word we are likely to encounter individuals who try to show off their knowledge of the scripture, their adoration and devotion to the Lord, how much time they devote to the church and serving others, how they feed and clothe people, how much they care, and everything else people like to show off. Some can be a little judgmental, or condescending, or standoffish. There will, no doubt, be gossips, hypocrites, and other sinners within the church. We are only people.
When we encounter such people, it is not for us to judge their hearts or whether they are truly saved. That is between them and the Lord. Many saved people are immature in their relationship with Christ and others can be stunted in their relationship. None of this means that they do not love one another or that they are not deserving of our love. It’s just the way we are.
A good church will help people grow and mature in their relationships with Christ and each other. A good church helps each other grow in discipleship. A good church leads by example when it comes to serving others, sharing the Good News, being caring, being loving, and not judging.
My family and I are blessed to have been called to the church we attend. It is mostly an older congregation but even the younger families who attend have grown up in the same church. We preach the gospel, we study the Word, we are in regular fellowship, we pray for each other constantly. We know that each of us is imperfect, and we are forgiving, gentle in admonishing, and work together to constantly grow. This is not a perfect place, however. There are no perfect churches.
It is much easier to face the world and to overcome the challenges of life with the love, care, and help of others –especially a loving church family. However, we must look at what makes this all possible, we must seek the foundation of love and strength, we must turn our hearts to the only refuge, Christ Jesus.
God created everything and then He created us. He made us to love us and for us to love Him and each other. He made us to show that love through devotion and service and not just in word. He knew before the beginning we would sin, and He loved us anyway. He had a plan for a Savior before creation and, at the appointed time, He sent His Son to live in poverty as an itinerant. Jesus preached, healed, loved, taught, suffered, died, and rose from the dead. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He lived a perfect life and was the unblemished sacrifice for the sin of the world.
Now, we know that everything good and perfect comes from above. We know that salvation is given to those who give themselves to Christ. It is a good and perfect gift. Each one of us who follows Christ is part of the church. The entire body of Christ, made up of each individual member. We work together for the good of the body and the glory of God.
Our strength comes not from a building to meet in. Our love does not come from a local assembly. These are important things, but they are not the most important things.
God is love and all love flows from Him. God is strength and all of our strength is divined from Him. We can face any turmoil, any catastrophe, any illness, any disaster, any hardship, any loss, any pain, any suffering, any bullying, any anything by turning to Christ. He is the all in all. The Word of God is given to us so that we may grow and weather anything. The body –our brothers and sisters—is given to us because there is safety in numbers, many hands make light work, and every other positive, catchy, cliché there is.
So, to answer the question, a church can help but the true help comes from above. If you’re not a saved believer, church is a good place to start. It’s a great place to learn and its good to be around a body of believers who can be an example, who can testify, who can help look out for you, even if you haven’t yet joined the family.
A youth group can be beneficial as well. It provides an opportunity for a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere in the company of caring peers. Most youth groups undertake missions together, go on outings, have great and meaningful conversations, and foster deep, lasting relationships. Ask around the congregation about the group and its leadership. Talk to the youth pastor, get a feel for how things are there. Being around believers in your age group, even as a teen – can lighten any burden.
Now as for the mean girls…they are everywhere in life and the meanness isn’t limited to the just the females. Joining a church and a youth group may even lead to a little more taunting and meanness. The only difference is you know have a refuge, a group to support and affirm you. If you have been saved, you also have a Lord who will never leave you and never stop loving you. He will be your refuge and your strength. Belonging to a group of believers will compounds that.
Belonging to Christ, at any age, helps us to know that whatever the world thinks of us, says about us, taunts us with, and tries to make us think about ourselves is all meaningless. It is a futile attempt to take us away from the Lord who loves us. He loves us always. We are all one body, equally beautiful and important to the Lord. If you have Him, what does it matter what anyone thinks or says about you?
Maybe we will expound upon the importance of our individual jobs and where we belong next time…who can say? Just keep in mind, we are all one in Christ.
You would do well to read Colossians, Corinthians, and Romans… you’ll find what you need.
A Special Note:
We here at 2 Shirts Ministry love everyone. The Lord loves us always and we want others to know that love. Through providing basic necessities, we want others to know they are important to us and to God.
We hope that you the love and peace that comes from Jesus Christ –it’s not hard to find.
We live to help others, if you are called to help, please pray and check out this page.
God Bless you all,
Chaplain Maloney