One fault of mine is the tendency to want to complicate things. I see a problem and immediately seek to solve it with some grandiose plan of action when often the solution is simple and not so glamorous. We see this in government a lot, some issue comes before our consciousness, and our leaders immediately want to add new cabinet position or appoint a czar to oversee the issue. We have this tendency in the church as well, each problem demands a committee with deacon involvement and elder oversight with the preacher extolling its virtues from the pulpit. James’ view of the work of the church was much different. “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”(James 1:27) According to James, if we are serious about our commitment to God then when we see a need we take measures to fill that need. A widow who is in need of food doesn’t have time to wait for the committee to be formed, she needs food now! A homeless child shouldn’t have to spend one more night on the street if a Christian man or woman becomes aware of their plight.
Religion that God accepts is faith in action. Paul puts it this way, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (Galatians 5:6b) Our love for God and our faith in Christ is shown by how we care for those around us. It matters how we treat one another and it matters how we treat those in our community. “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him?” (James 2:14)
Programs and committees are necessary for the church to function and carry out the mission of God.However, we must never be lulled into a state of personal inaction because of their presence. Christians are called to act! “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (James 2:18)
Mitchell
Psalm 46 – Derek: Meditating on the Way
5 days ago
2 comments:
Your last paragraph is a powerful reminder to take personal responsibility rather than wait on the church to do something. I became a Christian among the noninstitutional Churches of Christ. In those congregations, we were encouraged to take personal responsibility for helping those around us rather than simply giving money to the church or to an institution to do the work that we should be doing personally. Although they took it to an extreme at times, it's a good point. I need to look around me and help whomever I can. If something is too big for me to handle myself, I need to call the church or another institution or another person to help me help others. (I often call my congregation's recovery minister when I am trying to help someone with a drug or alcohol addiction, for example.) Good post, Mitchell!
Thanks, Terry.
I agree, personal responsibility is an area that we need to focus on more. I fear we often miss opportunities to spread the love of Christ because "there is a committee" that sees to such things.