The Myth of the Pure Church

As I stated yesterday, I am concluding 2011 with our "greatest hits (most viewed, not best written!)" of the year.  This post was a surprise addition.  I find the subject fascinating and intriguing.  I find that many confuse the Church with the church.  The result is frustration and confusion!  How can there be so much conflict and so many mean people in the church?!  The answer is simple. ... read on.

How do we guard the church from division and evil?  An entire branch of Christianity states that the way to do so is to "make sure" everyone who joins is a believer.  While I do not disagree with the sentiment, I do wonder how we can "make sure" someone is authentically transformed by faith.  In my experience, people can say the right things, act the right way, and still turn out to be a great cause of division.  Their later actions illustrate that they were working evil and not the fruit of the spirit (Matt. 7:20; Luke 3:8-9; Jude 12).  At times their action even illustrate that they were not redeemed, but like the evil one himself, "masquerading as an angel of light." (2 Cor. 11:14)

So what does this mean?  Several distinctions are in order.  First, I believe in the absolute purity of the universal, invisible, true Church!  All of those authentically called, justified, and adopted by Jesus, throughout all of time and space, are part of this true family of God.  These folks are the true body of Christ in the world.  

The problem is that until heaven we will not be united together.  At this time, we live in a fallen world composed of many local churches.  These local congregations are the expressions of the Church universal, but they are mixed bodies full of the redeemed and those not yet or not ever redeemed.  We do the best we can in encouraging to membership those who truly believe in Jesus; but because the leadership and the individuals are fallen, sometimes an unredeemed person comes into membership.  In fact, all to often these unredeemed folks become leaders within the local congregation!

Let me give an example to illustrate my point.  In Acts 20:28-30, Paul is speaking his farewell to the Ephesian Elders.  He is giving his final encouragement and instruction.  He states, 

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, 

among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, 

to shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood.  

I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, 

not sparing the flock;

and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them."

What does this mean?  The Ephesian church leaders had among themselves those who would lead the church astray.  How is this possible?  Did not Paul train them and help install them?  Yes.  Did they not later in the chapter kneel down and pray with Paul?  Yes they did.  "By their fruits you will recognize them." Matt 7:20.  What matters is how you run the race and how you finish.

The Christian life is meant to be a life marked by dependent faith in Christ.  It is marked by authentic humility expressed in repentance and faith.  Have you noticed how leadership often is not marked by these traits?  In particular, leadership that goes wrong is not marked by these traits!

Living in a fallen world means that we must always be on guard against the schemes of the evil one.  He is a liar, a murderer (the root of all anger, jealousy, lack of love), and a pretender to authentic grace.  His schemes include placing false assurance into the hearts of some in hope that they will later wreck the mission and testimony of the church through their pride.

Again I ask, what does this mean?  Should we not join a church since it might be a mixed crew?  No!  It is important to join a church.  

Joining the church means willingly submitting to the order and authority of the local church.  It does not mean that you will agree with every decision made by the church, but that you will work to maintain the peace and purity of the church through healthy discussion, quick repentance when you wrong someone, and quick forgiveness when wronged.  It means that you willingly allow the Elders to speak the gospel into your life.  Most importantly, it also means that you are willingly ingrafted into the a local expression of the body of Christ.  It was an assumed condition for the Jews of Jesus' time.  It is important!

Yet, we should not be surprised or shocked when the behavior of others turns ugly.  We live in a fallen world!  We should not allow ugly behavior to continue in the name of being nice.  If we do so, we are encouraging and allowing evil.  We should lovingly confront and encourage repentance and faith.  Often the response will be repentance.  It might take time, but it will be so.  

Other times the response will be a striking out at you for mentioning their sin.  Does this surprise you?  Remember we live in a fallen world.  By their fruits you will recognize them.  One who refuses to repent from obvious sin should be treated as an unbeliever.  In other words, they need to hear the gospel.  Repentance, faith, trust in Christ, confession of sin, and walking in grace and truth should be lovingly proclaimed and announced.

Again, more can be said and probably should be said.  This post is getting long, so I will stop for today.  Comments and discussion are always welcome!