Final Destination

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of it all is? Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? What is the point of our lives? Some people put all their hope in this world. For them, “the one who wins with the most toys wins.” Maybe the point of it all is the accumulation of wealth and power, the ability to control the details of our lives, and the lives of others. (Some just hope to survive, one day at a time.) On the other hand, some put their hope in another world, another life. They picture an alternate reality or an afterlife in a variety of ways. Maybe the life to come is filled with fruit, or beaches, or virgins. Maybe we’ll have beautiful mansions located in cities with streets of gold. Or maybe God will simply restore this planet and the rest of the universe to its original state and intent and fill it with immortal humans.

How do you see your final destination? If you “put all your eggs” in an otherworldly basket, you may not pay very much attention to the day-to-day issues and struggles, the need to represent God’s Rule in the messiness of this life. If you put your hope in this life, you may fail to see the big picture, to learn the wisdom that comes only with the fear of the Lord. Seeing your final destination defines the road you see yourself on – the Way you are traveling – and gives you a sense of purpose and direction on your journey.

So what is the point? What is the reason for our lives? St. Augustine confessed, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Much later Blaise Pascal wrote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” The old Westminster Shorter Catechism began with the statement, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” All these classic statements attempt to answer the big questions.

The apostle Paul also proposed an answer: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:28-29). This is one of those passages in the Bible that we know so well we seldom take the time to reflect on the details. God causes everything to work together in harmony toward on goal; God has one clear purpose for all those who love him and been called out by him. God knew in advance what that purpose was; God set out a clear path and a clear destiny for his chosen ones. That purpose, that path, that destiny, was simply this – that they be formed into the image of God’s Son; that God’s people reflect the character and the likeness of Christ.

In other words, God leverages every aspect of our lives to make us more like Jesus. Everything works together toward that goal.

That maybe doesn’t seem like a very glorious purpose until you think about the nature and glory of the one we are becoming like. In another place Paul taught that Jesus sums up all of creation (Ephesians 1:10). Jesus is the firstborn “over all creation.” In fact, all things have been made by Jesus and for Jesus. It is the power and glory and authority of Christ that holds everything in creation together (see Colossians 1:15-17). The glory of God is fully revealed in Jesus. Everything else is a distraction; all else is darkness compared to the light of Christ.

There can be no greater honor, no brighter glory, than being formed into the image and character of Christ. That is our final destination.

At the end of his life the apostle John penned these beautiful words: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure (1 John 3:1-3). Think about it! Even now, because of the work of Christ on the cross, we are counted as God’s children. But that’s not all! In the end we are certain about two things: (1) we will be like him, and (2) we will see him as he is. We will be able to behold his pure glory because we will have come to increasingly reflect that glory. That’s our destiny! That’s our purpose! That’s the point of it all! And all things, every detail of our lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly – are working toward that end.

So you see, just believing in Jesus and going to heaven when we die is, in the end, a very shallow understanding of our final destination. God has so much more in mind for us, both in this life and in the life to come. 

What Commands?

Famous last words! The final words people speak just before “passing over” are often famous, and tend to summarize the life of the one speaking. From “et tu, Brute” (Julius Caesar) to “This is the last of earth – I am content” (John Quincy Adams) to “Codeine . . . bourbon” (Tallulah Bankhead), last words tell us volumes about the priorities that determined the course of one’s life.

Everyone is familiar with the final words of Jesus before ascending back to the right hand of the Father, so familiar that we rarely pause to consider the depth of their meaning. Here they are: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). We are able to live confidently, knowing that all authority belongs to Jesus. We’re comforted by knowing that Jesus will always be with us. And we know that Jesus instructed his followers to “Go.” And then we move on without exploring further the mission Jesus sent us on.

What are we to do as we “go”? First of all, we are to make disciples. We are to raise up a new generations of apprentices for Jesus. We are to form followers, students, those who will commit themselves to “learning Jesus.” Of course, that assumes we ourselves are disciples. It will be hard for us to make disciples if we have yet to be made disciples. The “commission” of Jesus begins by challenging us to revisit our own commitment to come under his yoke, enter into his school and learn his teachings, his way of life, and the principles that produced his way of life.

We are told to “make disciples of all nations.” Discipleship/apprenticeship is not just an individual matter. Communities can be discipled; people groups can be taught how to follow Jesus. Cities can learn how to live the Jesus Way. Jesus instructed us to accept the greater mission of empowering transformation across human barriers to the life of the larger community.

“Baptizing them,” introducing people to the covenant relationship with God made possible by the work of Christ and the Good News of his work. Christian initiation includes careful instruction in the Gospel that includes the mystery of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The foundation of what we believe about Jesus is crucial to the ongoing yoked life.

From the very beginning we are to “teach them to obey.” The local church has a very important teaching ministry. Systematic instruction, training, and equipping are part of the mandate shared by the gifted pastoral leaders provided by Christ to the church; it is also the responsibility of the local congregation as a whole. However, it’s important to remember that we are not just teaching precepts or ideas – we are teaching obedience. We are teaching a lifestyle of loving obedience to God, a life formed by a hearing ear and an obedient heart to the presence and voice of God in our lives.

But now it gets a bit more difficult. Jesus specifically instructed us to teach his disciples to obey “everything I have commanded you.” Commanded! What commands?! I thought commandments were an Old Testament thing. A “commandment” implies an obligation, instructions intended to be obeyed. Relationship with God was all about “Law” before Christ; now it’s all about “grace.” Isn’t it?

Actually, the “yoked life” of an apprentice of Jesus, a lifestyle of loving obedience, includes a clear understanding that some things are not suggestions, they are commandments. Do you remember the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount? “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.  Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:18-20). Jesus came to empower his followers to live out the spirit of the Law, not to set the Law aside. In fact, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for setting the Law aside: “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3). Jesus advised the rich young ruler, “If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). Jesus had a clear teaching about what he consider the “greatest commandment” (see Matthew 22:36-40).

In fact, as committed disciples we are very interested in hearing and obeying the “commands” of Jesus. That will significantly define the Jesus Way for us. Are you listening for the commands of Jesus? 

Which Jesus Do You Believe In?

Everyone is following somebody. “No man is an island.” Now that the political parties have had their conventions, some are following Mitt and some are following the President. (Others are choosing to stay as independent as possible.) Almost everyone in our corner of the world claims to be following Jesus. But what does that really mean? And who is Jesus, anyway?

Even in Jesus’s day there was great controversy about the meaning and nature of the Messiah among the Jews. Almost no one agreed on who Jesus was. Some said he was able to perform miracles because he was demon possessed (John 7:20). For some, Jesus was too human to be the Messiah (John 7:27). Others argued that Jesus couldn’t be the Messiah because he was from Galilee (John 7:41-43). Jesus himself warned that many false Messiahs would appear and attempt to deceive (Matthew 24:24). Later, the apostle Paul warned about preachers proclaiming “a different Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Some contemporary religions have a very different view of Jesus; from Jesus as “a god” among other gods to Jesus as the brother of Lucifer. Many simply view Jesus as a great teacher, spiritual guru, righteous man, or even Palestinian revolutionary.

However, Jesus was very clear when defining himself. If we truly believe in Jesus, we need to believe the claims he made about himself: “I am the Son of God” (Matthew 27:43), and “I am God’s Son” (John 10:36). Jesus had an interesting conversation with a Samaritan woman: “The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, I, the one speaking to you—I am he’ (John 4:25-26). To the crowd Jesus said, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world" (John 8:23). To his disciples Jesus said, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am” (John 13:13). Jesus also claimed, “I am in the Father and the Father is in me” (John 14:11, 20).

In the Gospel of John Jesus gave very specific definitions of himself: I am the bread of life (John 6:35, 48). Jesus is the true nourishment provided by the Father, giving eternal life and true satisfaction to those who fully receive him.

I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). Jesus is the Light of the Father shining into human darkness, showing us the way back. Jesus provides clear sight and direction in every area of life.

I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7, 9). Jesus came to provide an entrance into the Father’s household, a sure and complete way to be reconciled with the Father and made a member of the Father’s family.

I am the good shepherd (John 10:11, 14). Jesus came to lead his “sheep” into green pastures and beside still waters. Jesus gave up his life for his sheep. As a result, he invites people to listen to his voice and to follow his compassionate leadership.

I am the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Jesus came to lead us out of death into eternal life. Those who embrace Jesus and his word are no longer subject to death but grow from life to life.

I am the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the way to the Father, the truth about the Father, and the life that comes from the Father. In fact, Jesus is the only truly reliable way back to God.

I am the true vine (John 15:1, 5). True life can only be found in an intimate, abiding relationship with Jesus, his words and his love finding a permanent home in our hearts.

I am a king (John 18:37). Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus.

The most extreme statement Jesus made concerning himself brought an eventual charge of blasphemy: “’Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, ‘before Abraham was born, I am” (John 8:58; see also John 18:5-6). Jesus was actually saying that he was the great I AM of the Old Testament! It’s no wonder the people tried to stone him on the spot (John 8:50).

God the Father was also very clear when confirming the person of Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17), and “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him” (Matthew 17:5).

C. S. Lewis famously said that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. Why? Because he clearly claimed to be God’s Son, to be the Lord. If he isn’t and knows he isn’t, he’s a liar. If he isn’t but thinks that he is, he’s a lunatic. Who do you think Jesus is? Do you really believe?

How Big Is Your Shovel?

Picture this: A small child is playing in a sandbox in the back yard, moving sand into a pile with a toy shovel. In a lot down the street, a large earth moving machine is leveling the ground to make way for a new house. Both individuals are happy, if not proud, of the progress they’re making. But how would you view their progress? How would you compare their progress? What are they really accomplishing with their shovels?

There’s an interesting and challenging saying from Jesus that I’ve pondered: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). The basic teaching about giving is clear in Scripture. A lifestyle of giving reflects the character of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave….” Giving and receiving are a constant cycle in our lives, starting with giving. We give and we receive so we can give again, etc., etc. But Jesus then adds a comment about the measure we use when we give. If we use a “good measure,” a dynamic process of receiving kicks in. A “good measure” results in an abundance “running over.” The reference is to a farmer getting ready to sow seeds. One commentator notes, “The image here is of a measuring container into which as much grain as possible is packed; it is then shaken to allow the grain to settle, and more is poured in till the container overflows. Pouring it ‘into the lap’ refers to the fold in the garment used as a pocket or pouch.” The promise is that a good measure will result in the same kind of measure being “measured to you,” an abundant repayment. Here are a couple of other translations of this great verse: “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity” (The Message). “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (New Living Translation).

When you and I give, we start with a certain kind of shovel, a particular measure. The measure we use reflects other, deeper things going on in our hearts and lives. A good measure that reflects a good heart is evidence of an attitude of faith, hope, and confidence in God. It is a demonstration of an open heart and an open hand. The Bible calls this heart condition and character trait “generosity.” However, we occasionally find ourselves fearful, uncertain, lacking in hope and trust. The result is a closed heart and a closed hand. The Bible calls this “stingy,” an attitude of withholding and holding on. Since we receive in accordance with what we give and the spirit with which we give it, there is little room in a closed hand to give or to receive.

Generosity and stinginess are often contrasted in Scripture. “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse the one who hoards grain, but they pray God’s blessing on the one who is willing to sell” (Proverbs 11:24-26). Generosity reflects a commitment to blessing and refreshing others. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Generosity is a free, voluntary expression of live, never compelled. Those who have more than enough in the faith community, the “rich,” are encouraged to take advantage of their excess to be generosity on every occasion. “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Let me make a bold statement: God always blessed generosity; God never blesses stinginess. “Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to” (Deuteronomy 15:10), and “Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice” (Psalm 112:5). But please remember that this has to do with our whole lives, not just with material things. In fact, the context of Luke 6:38 speaks of loving your enemies as well as giving material support to those who ask; it speaks of mercy and forgiveness (verses 27-37). Generosity is a lifestyle, not a momentary choice. During difficult, challenging times, our natural inclination is to guard our hearts and close our hands, to be stingy. Unfortunately, that instinctive response cuts us off from the blessings of the Lord. May God give us the grace and strength to keep our hearts and hands open and to allow God’s abundant blessings to flow to and through our lives. 

The Call of Loving Obedience

Have you ever wondered what God is actually looking for in your life? Our relationship with God depends significantly on how we might answer that question. Various religious answers would claim that God is looking for certain religious rites and ceremonies, certain kinds of worship, consistent religious practices. Some would say that God is looking for moral excellence and judges us to the extent that we fall short. Others have a central focus on God’s grace and claim that God really isn’t expecting anything from us. In fact, they might claim that we are simply passive receptors of grace and that any attempt to do anything for or with God is always “dead works.”

Fortunately, the Bible clarifies what God is looking for, what God expects. (“What does the Bible say?” is always our beginning place.)  “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12 NAS). It’s obvious from this foundational passage that God is looking for certain relational qualities from us. God is not looking for performance or religious duties. God wants us to fear him – to reverence/respect him, to place him at the center of every aspect of our lives. God wants us to serve him, to listen to his word and respond with obedience. Most of all, God wants us to love him, “with all your heart and with all your soul,” to put our whole heart into our relationship with him. Put simply, God is looking for a relationship of loving obedience.

There may be many people whom we love, but we aren’t necessarily committed to a response of obedience to them. On the other hand, we are committed to obey some people without necessarily loving them. It’s pretty rare to have a relationship that includes both love and obedience. But remember: God is not our friend or our neighbor, God is not our co-worker or a family member; God is God! A love relationship with God necessarily implies a life of obedience. Because God is God, it’s not possible to say we love God and then not obey him. Both Testaments of Scripture confirm this simple truth. “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul—then I will [bless you]” (Deuteronomy 11:13-14). “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching’” (John 14:23-24). “But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them” (1 John 2:5).

So what does “obedience” really mean in the context of our relationship with God? The New Testament word translated “obey” or “obedience” (Greek hupakuo) is a compound word literally meaning “to hear under.” It means “to listen to a command, to be obedient to a word.” It describes a relationship with someone in authority that includes a certain quality of hearing, i.e., hearing that begins with a commitment to trusting and doing whatever we might hear. It is a “hearing under,” a hearing that assumes a position of respect and submission. Godly, loving obedience is recommended by the early apostles as an essential character quality. “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance” (Romans 6:17). Those with a relationship with God through Christ obey his teaching from the heart. “[Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). More than mental assent to the truth of the Gospel is required. Our new life in Christ can be understood as “obedient.” “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14). Our growth in Christlikeness, the quality of our relationships with each other as brothers and sisters, is marked by loving obedience. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Even final judgment is understood in terms of obedience. “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

It can be difficult finding the balance of love and obedience, made possible by always understanding that the God we love is God, and is worthy to be obeyed. If Jesus himself walked up to you right now, told you how much he loved you, and then asked you to do something, anything, for him, how would you respond? It’s not hard to understand that if you truly love him, you will obey him, trusting that he always has your best interest in mind. Whenever God speaks to you in whatever way, you always have two choices: to obey or to disobey. Your choice will not only be a sign of the quality of your relationship with God, it will also open the door to all the blessings God has in store for you, to a bright future of hope. May God give us the grace to always hear and obey his word. 

The Blessing of the Father's Training

This summer my challenge to you has been to think about how you see God. How you see God will determine the focus of your faith, the way you relate personally to God. It will set the course of your life, defining your personal sense of purpose and mission. The motivation to grow and the pattern of your growth will be formed by how you see God and your relationship with God.

Our problem is that we have so many unhelpful (if not false) images in our minds and culture. Some see the “God of the Philosophers” or the “God of Science,” a vision that sees God as a very distant, all-powerful being who got everything going but prefers to not get involved in our mess, and certainly is not relatable in any personal way. Others see God as a benevolent, sentimental “Santa Claus” or “Fairy Godmother” figure who looks out for us, gives us good things, and keeps bad things from happening. For many God is a “Righteous Judge” who holds the moral balance in his hands, looking to weigh you and all your deeds and declare you to be “found wanting.”

The most common description of God in Scripture is that of “Father” (or “Parent”).  The problem with that idea is the sad fact that so many of us have had not just imperfect but seriously defective fathers. (I’ve been blessed with an excellent, godly father.) It’s hard for us to even use the word “Father” without having a spasm. On the other hand, the Bible not only refers to God as our Father, but as our Abba (Daddy) Father – our Father in the best, most personal, most ideal sense (Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). Somehow we need grace and help to see the Fatherhood of God in the beautiful, perfect way that image paints for us in God’s Word.

I remember a beautiful move of the Spirit of God upon the college campus where I was serving in 1995. It just so happened that almost every member of the freshman class that year had grown up without a present father. I witnessed the many times that God revealed himself to these precious young people as their Father in the sweetest, most intimate way, and how healing and empowering that experience was for them. There are still many among us who could benefit from that kind of experience today.

The thing about a true Father is that he does not just love and support and protect. A true Father trains and disciplines his children. Our ability to reflect on that important truth immediately runs into other obstacles. One is the fact that not every child growing up in our culture experiences positive, consistent, loving discipline, and so has no way to picture the discipline of the Lord. Another problem is our confusion of discipline with punishment. “Discipline” simply means “training” and refers to the positive, consistent, effective forming of character leading to maturity. “Punishment” is about exacting revenge and protecting ourselves from the possible misdeeds of others. God does not punish his children, but God does faithfully discipline them.

The best way to understand the Father’s training is to examine how the Bible describes it. When describing the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness Moses summarized God’s plan as “discipline”: “Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you” (Deuteronomy 8:5). The Bible is clear that being disciplined by the Lord is a blessing. “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty” (Job 5:17; Psalm 94:12). The Lord does not discipline anyone who is not a son or daughter; the Father’s training is a sure sign that we are his children. “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:11-12). In fact, the lack of discipline is a curse. “For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly” (Proverbs 5:23).

There are rich benefits available when we experience the Lord’s training. However, those benefits can only be experienced to the extent that we embrace and submit to the Lord’s discipline. We can stubbornly resist God’s discipline and find ourselves wandering in a wilderness of our own making with the danger of dying in the wilderness. “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. And I was soon in serious trouble” (Proverbs 5:12-14). In fact, at some point it is possible for God’s discipline to come to an end as God simply gives us over to the consequences of our moral choices (referred to as “judgment” in Scripture). The nation of Israel ultimately came into judgment because of their refusal to embrace the Father’s discipline. “Yet they did not listen or pay attention; they were stiff-necked and would not listen or respond to discipline” (Jeremiah 17:23; see also Psalm 6:1; 38:1.) On the other hand, we can intentionally cooperate with the Father’s training. “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life” (Proverbs 10:17), and “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge” (Proverbs 12:1). The prophet Jeremiah’s prayer was, “Discipline me, Lord” (10:24). The writer to the Hebrews emphasizes the truth that true sons and daughters experience the blessing of the Father’s training. “God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:7-8). Embracing the blessing of discipline requires honesty and humility with no attempt made to cover up or sugar coat the need for discipline (see Psalm 51). Only then will we grow into the mature sons and daughters God has designed us to be. 

Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry

One of the most difficult Bible ideas we wrestle with is the nature of the church as the Body of Christ. Jesus came to build his church, but the church we see so often today bears little resemblance to the church Jesus came to build. We tend to see the church as a place we go to; if enough people go and give, the church is able to hire professional ministers to obey the Great Commission as representatives of the church. (Obeying the Great Commandment is optional.) Church is where we earn brownie points that might eventually earn us a place in heaven.  Church functions as a human institution, a social agency, a lonely hearts club band.

But is that the church Jesus came to build (and is building)? The very word “church” (Greek ekklesia) refers to a gathered people, the assembly of God’s people gathered in covenant relationship under the banner of the Lordship of Jesus. The church is called the “Bride” of Christ (Revelation 19:7), a corporate people in love with Jesus, engaged to be married, faithful to the Groom. The church is the “Body” of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 1:23; Colossians 1:18), a unified, harmoniously functioning community of faithful, Christ-followers, together answering to the Head, who is Christ. The church is the Temple the Holy Spirit is building to be a place where the presence of God can dwell (Ephesians 2:21). What is made clear from all the images of the church is that it is not a group of disconnected, disengaged “Christians” trying to be religious by “going to church.” The church is the Church to the extent that it has committed Jesus-followers in covenant relationship with Him and with each other, expressing the nature of God’s Kingdom and extending the influence of God’s Kingdom as Christ’s representatives on the earth.

One of my favorite passages of Scripture about the church is found in Ephesians chapter 4. Whenever we are starting to lose sight of what the church is and why we are committed to being a part of Christ’s Bride and Body, we should go back and review the profound truths clearly set forth in this chapter. Although I don’t have space in this short article to take apart the passage verse-by-verse, let me draw attention to a couple of thoughts: In verse 1 Paul introduces his subject by saying, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Being a follower, an apprentice of Jesus, is a life-style issue, a matter of calling. It’s OK to move beyond our religious sense of being worthy of heaven or hell and realize we have a need, indeed a commitment, to be worthy of our calling as representatives of the King on the earth now. Paul then begins to explain what our faithfulness to our calling means in practical, relational terms. We are to “be completely humble and gentle . . . patient, bearing with one another in love” (verse 2). It’s not possible for disconnected, autonomous “Christians” to communicate our calling to a watching world. Being “worthy” is all about our relationships in community and the way we reflect Jesus and his Rule together. It is the unique quality of our relationships that demonstrates our faithfulness to our calling. That’s why Paul goes on to say, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (verse 3). It’s easy to conclude that the enemy of the church is wrong doctrine or philosophical (political, economic) perspective, or even sin. The simple fact is, the main enemy of the church is division. If we can “keep the unity” as a result of our mutual submission to Jesus, we can face any other enemy and triumph. Whether we always see it or not, the fact is, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called” (verse 4). No matter how divided we might be as sinful human beings, if we are “born from above,” we all share the same Spirit and are therefore viewed by heaven as “one.”

However, we can’t live a life worthy of our calling, we can’t keep the unity of the Spirit, by just having good thoughts about it or even praying for it. We come into the Body of Christ as broken vessels. Before you and I can make a positive contribution to God’s Kingdom mission for his church, we need to be healed, mended, repaired and restored. After talking about certain leaders Jesus has given to the church (verse 11), Paul describes their function: “to equip his people for works of service” (verse 12). It’s possible to misunderstand “equip” to refer to a teaching or training function. If we can have enough Bible studies, God’s people will be equipped. However, this word “equip” does not convey that meaning. (Other Bible versions render it “perfect” or “prepare.”) The word literally means “restore,” and refers to setting a broken bone or mending a net. It’s the word that means, “returning to a former condition so as to fulfill an original function.” Think of the church as a net used by fishermen. If a net gets too many holes or holes that are too big, it becomes less and less effective for catching fish. The net is broken and needs to be mended. However, the net can’t be mended unless there is a focus on the fact that specific connections on the net have been broken. Places on the net have experienced division, and the broken unity has resulted in a broken net. What is needed is restoration: the net needs to be restored and that will be possible only if specific places and connections on the net are restored.

The “equipping / restoring” work in the Body of Christ will result in a new unity, “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-13). Now that’s what I call living a life worthy of our calling as the King’s representatives in our communities. May God bring mending and restoration into our lives and into our congregation so we may continue to be an effective net for Jesus.