Please, Step Forward

Things are a mess. Maybe not a total mess, but messy enough to scarcely take it all in. Even as we’re overwhelmed by the mess that we see, we can happily admit that “All we see, is not all there is.” If we could see the whole mess, I can't imagine the hopelessness that would ensue. This persistence of the mess is even sadder when we see “church folk” overtaken in mess. From small infractions of unkind words that are made much of in our media, to outright heinous acts that seem to cross the line of unforgivable.

When mess invades our lives, we often find ourselves asking “What’s the deal?” I thought that Christ would be a protective bubble as He cleans me up from my past.

As we mature, we begin to understand that many of our presuppositions about what coming to Christ and being saved is supposed to look like are not based on truth. Christ is not a bubble. Our initial entry into the presence of Christ is where we step forward, naked, ashamed and spent. Surrendered.

Here's The Word:

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Even at the end of it all, this is the admonition given to the church at Loadicea, who thought they had it all together, but were altogether wrong. They were pretty much in the same state we all find ourselves before we're finally convicted enough about how our sin is an affront to a holy God, causing our surrender and repentance. No one escapes this truth, even though its still very easy to want to portray a life of "increased and needing nothing."

With this truth comes a paradox: If church is supposed to be this corporate house of prayer, we we ask God to save souls and meet needs, how is it that the idea of church can be so intimidating, and why do "church folk" have a reputation of being so judgmental?
Two VERY BIG questions, with answers that maybe simple, maybe not. As messy as church can be, there's still the correct connotation of God's House, and to approach it, means to do so without arrogance. Bare before Him.
However, there's also the 'bible thumper' image, the kind of person that most people would rather steer clear of. The perception is that churches are full of bible thumpers rather than faith walkers.
The second issue also addresses a real and true premise, that's become defaced and distorted by mistakes and people who mishandle others. Guilt and shame are real. Even when it's just us ourselves and no one else face to face with our sin. For an outsider to come in, even one who's well intentioned, and add to that sensitive and weighty situation, it can be hard to humbly receive. As Christians, we should surely try to meet things with compassion and grace, but also truth. Even if we were to get better in this, the world would still make much of our mistakes. Still, 'better to be better' than not.

The expectation of immediate perfection may be something we continue to disillusion ourselves about. We so want to shed the sinful “old man” and profess “newness” in Christ that we start to hide the hills and valleys of the journey. We start presenting victory, while also obviously still shackled to real struggles. This is not a condemnation; it's also not new. Think about it, even the disciples had issues.
Consider this: When did Peter become a Christian? Was it when Christ called him away from fishing and he followed, or was it much later after his denial of Christ, after the risen Savior questioned him about His devotion and told him three times to “feed my sheep”?
There are about 3 years between these two things. Wherever you think it was, Peter's life of walking in Christ showed real struggles. However, if you read Peters epistles, you see his growth, and you realize that our perfection is a process, not a sword we get to wield the first day.

Here's The Word:

2 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

This statement follows a list of things we are to add to our faith: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. Notice that this is the end of a process beginning with faith. Also, notice that its possible for a Christian to lack these things if they're short-sighted, having forgotten when they were once naked and ashamed. Don't let short-sighted church folk hinder you from stepping forward and going on to perfect your faith.

Things are a mess. This mess includes suffering that in turn, strengthens. This mess includes pressing that in turn becomes praise. This mess requires submission that ultimately allows our freedom. This mess requires persistence that eventually becomes perfection. It’s the road for us all; for those who’ve been here for years, as well as those who show up today. That’s the promise of the Gospel. Not that “You unlock this door with the key of faith and immediately enter the place of perfection”.
No, the gospel is this – Things were a mess, and there was no door. God in His mercy provided one for whomever wants to secure their eternity as well as start down the path of cleansing.

Don’t let the pomp and circumstance of “Church” or church folk throw you off. Some have a better understanding of submission to Christ, denial of self and sanctification through His Word than others. Their lives aren’t perfect and even more important, they’re no more saved than someone still battling shameful temptations. Perfection is not a requirement of Church, it’s a place to shed the façade, see your reflection fully exposed in the law of Liberty, realizing that giving all of that mess to Christ, is the first step forward toward your perfection. Be honest, transparent, correctable and ready to disclose and dispose of comforts that influence you toward contrary conduct.

Just don’t let the shame of your mess prevent you from seeking the only real help available. Please, step forward. Embrace Christ as Savior and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, regardless of how your neighbor looks at you. No matter how “got it together” they seem, because truth be told, there are too many people promoting an appearance that isn’t an accurate reflection of the mess they deal with….but don’t let that become your issue.
God has created a door. And He’s provided a process for us to embrace the Holiness required to be in His presence. Again, please, step forward.


In Him,
Cros