SortingBeans

As opposed to your wallet . . .

Maybe you’ve once been a victim of those once highly popular door-knockers. You know what I’m talking about. Here’s the sequence:

You hear the sound of a “nock, nock” on your door. You go to the door and peek through your blind and see a man dressed in a slick, formal suit and tie. He holds some dark colored book under his right arm. You open the door.

You: Hello?

Visitor: Hi, my name is “_______.” How are you today?

You: Fine. . . Can I help you with something? . . .

Visitor: Sure. I’m sorry, what’s your name?

You: “_______”

Visitor: Nice to meet you! I’ve been visiting your neighbors and have had some really good conversations with them. I’ve been asking the same question to everyone. Mr/Mrs. “______,” if you died today, do you know what would happen to you?

You: (blank stare)

Does anyone know the answer to this question?

Has this happened to you? You know what’s interesting, is that there is some truth to this. I suppose the direct approach is a little awkward, but the question can leave someone in an uncomfortable position of uncertainty. Fortunately, there is an answer to the question. This is what the Gospel promises: answers.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk with a family member about his position with regards to Jesus and the Church. This person is the typical guy who affirms the reality of God, the truth of the Bible, and “believes” what the Bible says.

But he does not trust it

Who do I know? Because he does not attend any church and doesn’t believe he has to. His belief is that someone can do all the “good” things such as (1) believe in God, (2) believe in the Bible, and (3) live your life right. “One, two, three—it’s easy as A, B, C!” Or maybe it’s the other way around. Either way, it’s missing the point of church attendance and following Jesus.

Yes, it is true that believing in God does not mean that you have to go to church. But it does say something about whether or not you love God. As I think of it, even the demons believe in God, but they are not destined for glory. Humans are the only ones appointed for repentance. That’s why we don’t pray for Satan.

But church attendance doesn’t prove that you follow Jesus, and neither does living your life “right”

That’s not its purpose. The church isn’t meant to make you a better person. It’s not meant to be a place where the “perfect” people go. Actually, it’s just the opposite. It’s for people who are far from perfection! But we—the Church—have, to our own disadvantage, have ben a major contributor to our own misinterpretations of what the Church of Jesus Christ is supposed to be. It has become a place to learn behavior modification and self-help lessons. It’s all about becoming a “better you.”

There’s something seriously wrong with that message

Of course, following in Jesus produces healthy change, but it does not create “good” people. Following Jesus is about worshiping Him and trusting in HIS goodness, not our own. I spent about an hour in conversation with my family member. I said quite a few things that made his head tilt. One of those things being that Jesus called the people who saw themselves “good” sons of the devil, and told them to be born again.

The idea is like going to a gym. You go to a gym to get in shape. The purpose of going to a gym is not to get in shape BEFORE you go, but you go IN ORDER to get in shape. The same is with the Church, sort of. We go to church messed up, broken, sad, angry, doubting, trusting, all of the above. Why? Because Jesus is found among His people. The Church is the people, NOT the building. It’s NOT about the pastor, it’s NOT about the band, and it’s DEFINITELY NOT about the coffee. Actually, you’ll find that many churches make horrible coffee. lol.

The question becomes: “Do I love Jesus?”

If you love Jesus, you will obey His commandments. There is progress here, and God gives grace. But that’s the point: progress. No one is better than the other, we’re all in a state of progress, and we’re all destined for hell without Jesus. Therefore, everyone needs Jesus just as much as the other, even pastors.

So what’s your story? Do you know where you will spend eternity? Why don’t you go to church? What keeps you from trusting Jesus and His Church? Answer one, or answer all.

Go ahead, spill the beans!

—Jonathan

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