“May you live in interesting times” is a well-known curse. Our times certainly qualify as such, marked by constant political unrest, moral shifts, and societal upheaval. In this age, behaviors and beliefs once considered unacceptable—though privately practiced—are now increasingly accepted and even celebrated. Sexual immorality, greed, bigotry, and a lack of compassion are often endorsed, and sometimes even celebrated, both in society and within the Church.
It should not be surprising when we see the behaviors, attitudes, and mindsets of the world infiltrating Christian communities. As believers, we live in a fallen world, and while God desires us to grow into His likeness (Romans 8:29), overcoming worldly influences is a process. Unfortunately, many Christians fail to fully commit to the transformative journey of becoming more like Christ, which leads to both their own spiritual decline and that of their faith communities. Tragically, this lack of commitment to transformation also results in a growing number of individuals falling away from the faith.
Many of us know people who have distanced themselves from Christian fellowship, and some have even left the faith entirely. The reasons for these departures are as varied as the individuals themselves. Some struggle with doctrinal errors, others with the acceptance of immorality within the Church, and still others have embraced false teachings or been swayed by cultural pressures. One thing that is often lacking in these crises of faith is the critical practice of self-examination. We have been taught that our feelings and opinions are the measure of truth. The culture tells us that our emotions determine what is good, right, or true, that our preferences are the standard for justice or compassion. But these things are not True. We are NOT the measure of Truth.
Christian, if you find yourself discouraged with the church and questioning your faith, here are some steps to consider.
First, we must learn to distinguish between what is of man and what is of God. Learn to discern between worldly values and biblical truths. When doubts arise, don’t just question others; question yourself too. Reflect on your motivations for discouragement and doubting. Are they based on personal feelings, or are they rooted in the Word of God?
Second, we must take up our cross. Christian growth is marked by the process of dying to self. As we offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices, He transforms us into the image of His Son (Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20). True maturity comes when we recognize that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life—and that we are not. This recognition should lead us to daily surrender, allowing Christ’s life to be manifest in us. This step is second only in the structure of this article. In reality, it is the precursor for all true following of our Messiah.
Finally, we must recognize that the Church is not Christ. The Church’s foundation is Christ, and He is its head. But the Church itself is not Christ. The Church did not save you—God did, through Christ. This truth should lead us to reflect prayerfully on where our faith truly lies. If our trust is in imperfect human beings rather than in the perfect Christ, our faith is built on shaky ground.
When we are discouraged…where is our hope set? Who has mastery over our emotions? What does our discouragement with the humans in the church reveal to us about our own human expectations? If we come to the place of questioning the Holy God because of the failings of unholy people, should we not consider that perhaps the very means by which we determine is flawed?
Our faith is not meant to rest in the perfection of the Church, but in the perfect Christ who is its cornerstone. The Church is not perfect, but it is being transformed. Her imperfections may indeed be troublesome, and her transformation may be slow and painful. However, if our eyes are fixed on Jesus, if He is our rock and cornerstone, we can praise God for His work in the Church. While we consider our own imperfections and the imperfections of the Church, may we be led to praise our loving Father for His boundless grace, patience, and faithfulness. May we respond, then, to our imperfect selves and to our imperfect brethren with His love, grace, patience and unwavering faithfulness. Rather than being able to point at the hypocrisy of the church, may the unbelieving world be astounded at The Church’s unwavering love and determined commitment to becoming more like Jesus.
…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. -Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. -Matthew 16:15-18 (ESV)
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. -Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
In His Name and By His Love,
Pastor Brian