Is it really possible for politics, purpose and peace to live under the same tent? I ask this question after reading some of the news reports and blogs chronicling the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio, TX. Is it really possible for a large group of Christians to gather and agree on what they feel is the direction and guidelines for the Church of Jesus Christ? Does God really want us to expend this kind of energy in such a futile approach to achieve unity? Hasn't history proven this goal is not possible?
The Bible shows us both sides of this equation. Times when men gathered and because these men were devoted leaders and followers of God they were able to accomplish great things for His kingdom. Nehemiah, David, Joshua, Moses were leaders during such times. Yet these same leaders also faced dissent and grumbling and their leadership positions were sometimes not only questioned but openly defied. The beautiful example in Acts of the first church was a large group of people devoted to each other, serving each other and serving their neighbors. This story resonates with such power sadly because it is such a rare occurrence in history. They lived in peace with each other and their community and God added to their numbers daily.
Jesus was pretty clear on the fact that the world would know Him through our love for each other. If we love Him we will obey Him. The light that will shine from this devotion and selflessness will not be able to be contained. That form of community or unity that binds us together despite a myriad of differences flows from a devotion to Him and without that devotion goes any hope of working together for a common purpose.
Why would Jesus leave the fate of humanity with such a power hungry, greedy, selfish, small minded, petty driven, tradition-guarding group of followers called the church? I don't know. It seems the task of telling the good news that Jesus is alive and Lord stumbles upon the history and faults of the church. Jesus himself in the book of Revelation expressed his judgement upon some of the churches of that day and many of those churches He said were failing in their purposes. The world invaded the church the moment the church was invited to partner in political power. The church created its own bureaucracy and its leadership strove to consolidate its power base. Groups of leaders would create their own following based upon human differences and The Word became a weapon to be welded by leaders, quoted in the light of their own motivations. People gave their all to men who gave up nothing. The church became a state to itself and the cause of Christ was buried deeply under the oracle of leaders who spoke on God's behalf. The power of the church did not die (it cannot die) but it was severely wounded. Persecution and revolution purified the church throughout the ages but her disobedience ran deep. Unity and obedience can be better accomplished through fear and ignorance among a group of people that relies on their leaders for divine revelation. Many groups forced their will upon the people of God using those tactics and more. True unity woven freely with respect was only purchased through suffering and persecution. I believe that our founding fathers were so bound by this truth that they wisely urged a division between human power and spiritual endeavors. Never intending for this country to fall away from it's spiritual roots but to remain safely free of church and state partnerships. Yet we see even today our spiritual leaders dazzled by the prospect of political partnership.
The Bible shows us both sides of this equation. Times when men gathered and because these men were devoted leaders and followers of God they were able to accomplish great things for His kingdom. Nehemiah, David, Joshua, Moses were leaders during such times. Yet these same leaders also faced dissent and grumbling and their leadership positions were sometimes not only questioned but openly defied. The beautiful example in Acts of the first church was a large group of people devoted to each other, serving each other and serving their neighbors. This story resonates with such power sadly because it is such a rare occurrence in history. They lived in peace with each other and their community and God added to their numbers daily.
Jesus was pretty clear on the fact that the world would know Him through our love for each other. If we love Him we will obey Him. The light that will shine from this devotion and selflessness will not be able to be contained. That form of community or unity that binds us together despite a myriad of differences flows from a devotion to Him and without that devotion goes any hope of working together for a common purpose.
Why would Jesus leave the fate of humanity with such a power hungry, greedy, selfish, small minded, petty driven, tradition-guarding group of followers called the church? I don't know. It seems the task of telling the good news that Jesus is alive and Lord stumbles upon the history and faults of the church. Jesus himself in the book of Revelation expressed his judgement upon some of the churches of that day and many of those churches He said were failing in their purposes. The world invaded the church the moment the church was invited to partner in political power. The church created its own bureaucracy and its leadership strove to consolidate its power base. Groups of leaders would create their own following based upon human differences and The Word became a weapon to be welded by leaders, quoted in the light of their own motivations. People gave their all to men who gave up nothing. The church became a state to itself and the cause of Christ was buried deeply under the oracle of leaders who spoke on God's behalf. The power of the church did not die (it cannot die) but it was severely wounded. Persecution and revolution purified the church throughout the ages but her disobedience ran deep. Unity and obedience can be better accomplished through fear and ignorance among a group of people that relies on their leaders for divine revelation. Many groups forced their will upon the people of God using those tactics and more. True unity woven freely with respect was only purchased through suffering and persecution. I believe that our founding fathers were so bound by this truth that they wisely urged a division between human power and spiritual endeavors. Never intending for this country to fall away from it's spiritual roots but to remain safely free of church and state partnerships. Yet we see even today our spiritual leaders dazzled by the prospect of political partnership.
Let me be clear on this matter, I believe that the church of Jesus is the only hope for all mankind. That the work of the church is done through flawed men and women building relationships with other flawed men and women. That there is no other higher calling on this planet than to serve in the local church. But let's don't make it something Jesus never intended for it to be. As C.S. Lewis said, " . . . the gospel is one beggar telling another beggar where he found food." It is not achieved by seizing policital power or by forcing our beliefs upon others. It is by transforming other hearts the same way the Jesus transformed our hearts.
I'm not puzzled by our lack of cooperation or that our attempts to guide and influence others is usually accomplished only when our our needs will also be met. Most arguments and strife come from hearts of pride that are more interested in being right and being served than serving others. The Bible says that the main reasons we fight is because of pride and selfishness. Genuine desires to resolve spiritual and moral differences notwithstanding of course but even those arguments can become a call to arms unless guided by men and women who are in turn guided by God. My puzzlement and sadness comes from my own lack of caring about others even while I write these words illustrating the love and gospel of Jesus. I am far more concerned about me than you. I would rather be rested, wealthy and happy than see you, my neighbor, prosper in those areas. I would rather be comfortable than use my time and energies to help meet other people's needs. I would much rather watch a movie than write a letter, make a phone call, or do any of the other things that God would want me to do to help other people. Yet the power and purpose of the church itself requires that my heart be turned from this selfish attitude and transformed into a heart of giving. When this transformation occurs the world is entranced with the idea of loving others more than loving yourself. This is why the church when filled with followers giving up their lives and ambitions for others can not be ignored or defeated. The power of Christ resides in our love for Him and each other. May my heart, will and mind remember and obey. Our world depends on it.
