Just a Thought: On the Church

"The Church is a people group, not a physical space; still, it should be the most welcoming place on the planet."

This is something that I've thought a lot about and believe to be true. This isn't to say that we should be tolerant of things that don't align with Scripture and that aren't beneficial—the Word is what separates us. But, in my opinion, if we were a people who operated through the Spirit and were daily mindful to act in a manner that Bible teaches us to do so, then the Church might be the first place people went to when they needed help or healing or just a place to go; maybe the concepts that so easily separate us would be points for conversation, healing, and growth instead. I believe that the Word teaches us and encourages us to create such a space. Let me elaborate.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:12-17 ESV)

I can't imagine that a people who'd operate in such a manner would be a people who'd bicker about senseless issues (2 Timothy 2:14), picking at extremes, and judging a world which, in all honesty, they're no "better" than (Romans 3:22b-23). Rather it would be a people who, first and foremost, were aware of their humanity relative to God's divinity; and through this awareness they'd treat the world with the same grace which has been bestowed upon them by God. It would be a people who'd look at the world and see individuals who are in need of some love; and a people whose main priority would be properly representing the Lord in a world which has fallen far from Him, extending to them this gift of salvation, which wasn't earned but is freely given anyway (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness (gentleness), patience, forgiveness, love, gratitude, truth; these traits show up differently in each of us, but we're all called to exhibit them in the fullest—in doing so, we'd each reach somebody and, if nothing else, they might get a glimpse of exactly what they're looking for, and a seed might be planted. This isn't to say that it's easy. One could absolutely look around and find a plethora of reasons to be angry, anxious, or discouraged; but what would be the difference between that man or woman and the rest of the world? And what good does that do to the Body?

I'm just offering this as something to think about: What would the world look like if we were intentional about creating space for the Spirit to move? I'll elaborate further some other time but, for now, this is just a thought.

Be blessed.

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Verses to Look Back On:

Colossians 3:12-17

Romans 3:22b-24

Ephesians 2:8-9

2 Timothy 2:14

Galatians 5:19-23