A Mom's Perspective

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Body of Christ

The Body of Christ






Today....something unusual happened in our community.



I wish I had the words to describe it....



A precious young man shared his struggle,



He was transparent about his sin. Bravely and courageously he barred his heart and asked for help. I was humbled by his simple confession and his hope in Christ.



The student body gathered around him and loved, supported and prayed for him.



It didn't end there several other students also stood and shared, confessed and openly repented, it was beautiful yet I am still so dissatisfied, a grief has consumed me yet I could not put my finger on it until tonight.



My heart was broken, grieved and I felt there was something undone. It wasn't our reaction to him or the others, a very real work was being done in their hearts but it caused me to examine myself and our body.



What sins would bible students confess to? Cheating on a test, staying out past curfew, listening to secular music, and coarse joking. breaking this rule and that rule.



We listened, we forgave but still I'm afraid.



I'm afraid some of us thought “Thank God I don't cheat or break the rules.”



Did we feel a little smug in our seats? Did we feel a wee bit of spiritual pride?



Did this represent what our puritan forefathers felt when they held trials for those who did not conform to their standards, was there a hint of piety ?



It is considered righteous and acceptable to confess such sins. Even heavy sins such as pornography and adultery are more openly confessed now.







But what about our "Christian Bubble sins" the word speaks over and over about sins of the tongue about gossip and biting and devouring one another. How many times do we gossip but it's sandwiched in with "we should pray for this person" or I'm concerned"







Jesus warned against seeking out the best seats at the table, seeking power and popularity. Popularity in the church? Is there such a thing? Look around you. We are admonished to seek out the least of these and do good to them. Do we do this? Really do we? I believe more people are hurt in our churches and communities by these sins than any other.







I've heard it said that the Church is the hope of the world. Are we? When the world comes in as an overweight, unstylish single mother is there a place for her? When a socially awkward teenage boy comes to our youth group, who reaches out to him? When a prodigal young lady returns and shares her deepest, darkest fears and failings, who believes in her again? who refuses to label her? Or are the rumors now justified because who knows what she did while in sin and it's fair game for discussion now?







How many broken, hurting people walk into our churches and leave more wounded than they came? When did being relevant, talented, artsy and cool become our code? What about those who are none of these things? Where do they fit in? When did we start caring so much about dropping names and being in the cool church clique? Are these our Idols now?







We cry for the lost to come but how will they fit into our little "churchy" social classes? Or have they already come and become a project for us so we look spiritual? Or did we miss them altogether because their clothes, size or look was all wrong?



My heart, my prayer is for real repentance. Let us to examine our hearts and our motives. What are we doing here? What are we building? Bring us to a place of true Christian brotherhood. Let us love the way Christ loves, whom he loves (“all men”) Let us feel what his heart feels for his church. When will we confess these sins? Let us truly become the Body of Christ. Think about that… the “Church” is called the Body of Christ! Are we?