What does it mean to be the church?
I was recently told a story by a counselor, we’ll call him John, at a local church about a man who had been attending their congregation for a few years. John recalled his first meeting with this man; to say the least, he had lived a difficult life. In the mid-90’s, his wife had been murdered, he, being the ex-husband, was still being blamed. He had since fallen into alcoholism and deep depression, and he could not keep a job. John went on to talk about how they had built a friendship. He had been there for this man when his faith was strong, and he stayed by his side when he could not keep a job, questioning if God really cared.
John then began telling me about their last visit. He said his friend was greatly distressed, pacing the room back and forth with a look of worry in his eyes. He asked him how his recent interview had gone. In reply the man told him that he didn’t get the job, but he didn’t deserve it. “In fact,” he added, “I don’t deserve any job. I know why I can’t keep a job period.” When asked why, the man responded by confessing to John that he had murdered his wife 15 years prior.
“Do you think I need to turn myself in?” asked the man.
“Yes I do,” replied John.
“Do you think I’m despicable?” the man asked.
“No,” answered John, “in fact, I am proud of your decision.”
After a short conversation and many tears, the two decided it would be best to call one of the elders, a local attorney, in order to plan out the steps needed to be taken. While John was on the phone, the elder said, “Tell him I salute him for what he is doing.”
As John passed along the comment, the man hung his head. Shaking his head back and forth, the man said, “I don’t understand you people.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In 1 Corinthians 1:21-23, Paul says:
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles....
When one reflects on the cross of Christ, God revealing himself to the world in a single, saving act of ultimate sacrifice and grace, it is difficult to fully grasp what is taking place. Why would a God want to save a people who had rejected him time and time again? Why would God choose to suffer such an excruciating death? Why would God choose to take on the sins of the world? Why?
Love.
It is indeed difficult for us to understand this love, but this is the very thing that we preach. However, it is not just in sermons or in mere words that this lesson is taught; it is one that must be lived out each day in loyal obedience to the Father and love for our neighbors. We preach Christ crucified, a suffering God, foolishness to a perishing world.
May we be fools to the world, that the wisdom of God, the cross of Christ, may shine through.
I don’t understand you people. What a wonderful description of the church.
I was recently told a story by a counselor, we’ll call him John, at a local church about a man who had been attending their congregation for a few years. John recalled his first meeting with this man; to say the least, he had lived a difficult life. In the mid-90’s, his wife had been murdered, he, being the ex-husband, was still being blamed. He had since fallen into alcoholism and deep depression, and he could not keep a job. John went on to talk about how they had built a friendship. He had been there for this man when his faith was strong, and he stayed by his side when he could not keep a job, questioning if God really cared.
John then began telling me about their last visit. He said his friend was greatly distressed, pacing the room back and forth with a look of worry in his eyes. He asked him how his recent interview had gone. In reply the man told him that he didn’t get the job, but he didn’t deserve it. “In fact,” he added, “I don’t deserve any job. I know why I can’t keep a job period.” When asked why, the man responded by confessing to John that he had murdered his wife 15 years prior.
“Do you think I need to turn myself in?” asked the man.
“Yes I do,” replied John.
“Do you think I’m despicable?” the man asked.
“No,” answered John, “in fact, I am proud of your decision.”
After a short conversation and many tears, the two decided it would be best to call one of the elders, a local attorney, in order to plan out the steps needed to be taken. While John was on the phone, the elder said, “Tell him I salute him for what he is doing.”
As John passed along the comment, the man hung his head. Shaking his head back and forth, the man said, “I don’t understand you people.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
In 1 Corinthians 1:21-23, Paul says:
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles....
When one reflects on the cross of Christ, God revealing himself to the world in a single, saving act of ultimate sacrifice and grace, it is difficult to fully grasp what is taking place. Why would a God want to save a people who had rejected him time and time again? Why would God choose to suffer such an excruciating death? Why would God choose to take on the sins of the world? Why?
Love.
It is indeed difficult for us to understand this love, but this is the very thing that we preach. However, it is not just in sermons or in mere words that this lesson is taught; it is one that must be lived out each day in loyal obedience to the Father and love for our neighbors. We preach Christ crucified, a suffering God, foolishness to a perishing world.
May we be fools to the world, that the wisdom of God, the cross of Christ, may shine through.
I don’t understand you people. What a wonderful description of the church.
-Matt
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