The Inconvenient Church
by Lynn Parker
Do not ever underestimate the church
of Christ. The Lords
church was born in the mind of God,
it is the precious body of the slain and risen Savior (Colossians 1:18). The
church was purchased at an awful cost—the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). It is not an afterthought of heaven—the
church is indeed so valuable that Christ “gave
himself up for it” (Ephesians 5:25).
It is not, then a garden club or a fraternal order for folks with nothing else
to do on Sundays. Neither the church
merely a social association or a fashion review.
Membership in God’s church is not for political
advancement. It is far more than getting
a check mark in heaven for one hour
of weekly attendance. Men may say the
church is unimportant—God tells us exactly the opposite.
Disciples of our Lord were not
asked to follow the Master only into fields of daisies or calm rose
gardens. The church was never intended
to be one of convenience. The followers
of Christ were not promised only calm seas and smooth sailing. Christians are hot “I want” folks—they are
servants and followers. They walk with
the Savior in joy and peace, true enough (Romans
14:17),
but they also bidden to follow into the dark recesses of Gethsemane. “And
he saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful even unto death: abide ye
here, and watch” (Mark 14:34
ASV). Early saints were beaten, jailed, and killed for the Lord’s cause.
Even today the faithful find
adversaries and trials. If your priority
is finding a religion of convenience, look elsewhere, friend, “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew
16:24). Christianity will not leave you alone—it challenges you to greater
heights (Philippians 3:14).
The devoted follower of Jesus Christ is
never content with the status quo but is always seeking to better himself. He meekly accepts the correction of the Word (James 1:21). He is keenly aware of his faults and flaws and
recognizes his absolute dependence on God (1
Corinthians 10:12; Galatians
6:1).
He thinks of others before himself
and seeks the good of the kingdom (Romans
15:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). His priorities are clear (Matthew 6:33). The church needs
such soldiers, workers, defenders, and humble servants— they are the only ones
who will see heaven at the end of life. The
church simply does not need lukewarm, pew-warming, Bible-dumb, forever griping,
pride-filled, status-seeking, money-loving, just-like-the-world members. We have enough of those in the brotherhood.
If you want convenience, go to the
corner store. Go to the drive-through
window at the “Golden Arches.” But do
not ever view our Lord’s church as a convenience. It was not convenient for Christ to purchase it,
and it was not convenient to be a Christian in the first century. It still is not convenient to be a
Christian. It takes effort, dedication,
zeal, humility, and sacrifice. If your
walk is always easy and convenient, it is not the walk of a Christian. And if, in fact, you are looking for a
convenient church, you are not seeking the one Christ built. The one you are
looking for is not in the New Testament.
It is in the yellow pages under “H” for “hell-bound.” 1650
Gander Slough Rd; Kingsbury,
TX 78636
[from the Beacon, Bellview church of Christ;
Pensacola, FL;
www.bellviewcoc.com]
Note: We commend this very
fine and needed article by brother Parker, the
faithful preacher of the church of Christ
at New Braunfels, Texas. Indeed being a follower of Jesus Christ is
not for those who desire convenience in religion. We cannot imitate the One who left Heaven and
suffered a horrible death on the cross, if convenience is our goal. We read of Him and the great inconvenience He
suffered: “And being found in fashion as
a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Let us
follow Him—not the selfish world! Christ
left us: “an example, that ye should
follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21b). Danny Douglas