The Church and Now


Think with me of the ways our culture could benefit from the Church’s insight and input. 

We know a little about justice and fairness from the Bible.  God makes it clear that we should treat everyone equally.  Even foreigners were welcome in Israel.  The weak and the vulnerable were to be protected.  Jesus’ treatment of the Woman at the Well and his parable about the Good Samaritan address the manner in which we treat people who are different than we are.   There is no room for racism, systemic or otherwise, in the kingdom of God. 

The right use of authority.  Time and again God takes me to Mark 10:45 when I think about leadership and exercising authority.  Servant leadership is what God demands.  Political maneuvering and manipulation sadden the heart of the One who teaches us humility by His example.  Even to the point of expressing His love by dying in our place. 

The way we use people to make our point or advance our cause is abhorrent to God.  Philippians 2 helps here.  Knees on throats asserts dominance just like feet on necks in the Bible (look it up).  God has not called us to dominate and control.  Police officers like leaders in every realm of life serve and protect.   There’s a time to enforce the rules.  Law and order are essential to the very existence of a civil society.  What we’re talking about here is a mentality.  A humble attitude.  Seeking the interests of others above my own.

Think about the hard-fought unity achieved by the early church.  Jews hated Gentiles and the hatred flowed in the other direction as well.  But God taught Peter and God instructed Paul in love.  And they passed on what they learned to others….including us.  We haven’t learned without struggle.  We wrestle through the occasional failure and misunderstanding.  But they kept fighting, and we keep fighting for unity.  The glorious result is that the global church is made up of every race, tribe, tongue and nation from every social class.   

Let’s use our influence to make an impact on our world.

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