It’s all too easy to criticise the local church we attend—or the one we had to leave behind. However, there are times when church members have legitimate grievances. Sadly, in some cases it is indeed wise to move on. But in so doing there is also a danger we will become isolated tumbleweeds, spiritually out of balance and unprotected.
We may even run ahead with individualist activities and ministries that suffer because they lack the corrective input of others in a local body of Christ. We can write and preach habitually. We may legalistically push along righteousness and Truth as best we can. But if we aren't disciplined and driven from our hearts by His Spirit our efforts are lifeless. Our natural gifts and industry can be impressively tireless, but if we don't abide in Him we accomplish nothing.
Answering only to ourselves is unwise and unbiblical. Some end up with inflated ideas about what they are achieving in Him, effectively shutting themselves off from God’s best for many years. Without a church covering they labour for Christ mainly in their own abilities, unable to let His Word divide them effectively. Unhappy with their local fellowships they come to mistake some of their own works for His.
Like it or not, many local assemblies hide a messy interior that eventually drives some people away. Ongoing faith shouldn’t be derailed by challenging circumstances, demanding inner conflicts, bad choices and wearying disillusionment. But in the lives of many this is exactly what happens. It’s difficult to resolve, hard to live with.
Being caught up in church life and the associated expectations that come with it can mask discontentment deep within. Thankfully, in many local assemblies, uncompromising Scripture-grounded attitudes characterise a minority who are indeed Spirit-led. But we also need many of those who are compromised and damaged to be more honest with themselves and those they mix with. We can’t be trite about this. When we don’t “walk the talk” can we continue to abide in Christ? If we don’t know the fruit of the Spirit because we don’t walk in the Spirit, what do we know of His will, and what can we offer others?
Problems in our local churches extend further than worldly influences, apathy, and ignorance of scriptural Truth. We also need to address the issues that lie collectively just below the surface. The big positive noises under the stage lights may suggest unity, but in the real world there are situations that can’t withstand lengthy scrutiny. Messy muddles among fragmented groups of so-called overcomers mystify unbelievers and embolden the sceptic.
A church’s overall strength depends on the spiritual condition of those who are members and attend regularly. Church programmes and instructional formulae can only go so far, even in churches that are numerically thriving. The bond of believers in a local body can be a source of encouragement and spiritual growth. Church should be a place where believers are built up in Christ. However, church members can attend many meetings and functions year after year while struggling to follow Christ privately. Who we really are privately at home determines who we will be at church gatherings, despite outward appearances.
As Paul Washer has said: “Our Sunday morning services are so cosmetic. Just because there seems to be beautiful worship, and the sermon went well, and people seem to be moved, that is not evidence of real spirituality. I will tell you what evidence is: the home, the marriages, the families” (Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church).
In F. B. Meyer’s little book, Saved and Kept, he offers in the form of a prayer a believer’s “Dedication” written to encourage the reader to get real about his or her private relationship with God. Approaching God in this way and living it out practically in daily life will ultimately build us up in Christ, enriching our relationship with Him. We can then take that spiritual strength into our local assemblies where we will surely make a tangible difference.
So, to paraphrase Dr. Meyer:
We may even run ahead with individualist activities and ministries that suffer because they lack the corrective input of others in a local body of Christ. We can write and preach habitually. We may legalistically push along righteousness and Truth as best we can. But if we aren't disciplined and driven from our hearts by His Spirit our efforts are lifeless. Our natural gifts and industry can be impressively tireless, but if we don't abide in Him we accomplish nothing.
Answering only to ourselves is unwise and unbiblical. Some end up with inflated ideas about what they are achieving in Him, effectively shutting themselves off from God’s best for many years. Without a church covering they labour for Christ mainly in their own abilities, unable to let His Word divide them effectively. Unhappy with their local fellowships they come to mistake some of their own works for His.
Like it or not, many local assemblies hide a messy interior that eventually drives some people away. Ongoing faith shouldn’t be derailed by challenging circumstances, demanding inner conflicts, bad choices and wearying disillusionment. But in the lives of many this is exactly what happens. It’s difficult to resolve, hard to live with.
Being caught up in church life and the associated expectations that come with it can mask discontentment deep within. Thankfully, in many local assemblies, uncompromising Scripture-grounded attitudes characterise a minority who are indeed Spirit-led. But we also need many of those who are compromised and damaged to be more honest with themselves and those they mix with. We can’t be trite about this. When we don’t “walk the talk” can we continue to abide in Christ? If we don’t know the fruit of the Spirit because we don’t walk in the Spirit, what do we know of His will, and what can we offer others?
Problems in our local churches extend further than worldly influences, apathy, and ignorance of scriptural Truth. We also need to address the issues that lie collectively just below the surface. The big positive noises under the stage lights may suggest unity, but in the real world there are situations that can’t withstand lengthy scrutiny. Messy muddles among fragmented groups of so-called overcomers mystify unbelievers and embolden the sceptic.
A church’s overall strength depends on the spiritual condition of those who are members and attend regularly. Church programmes and instructional formulae can only go so far, even in churches that are numerically thriving. The bond of believers in a local body can be a source of encouragement and spiritual growth. Church should be a place where believers are built up in Christ. However, church members can attend many meetings and functions year after year while struggling to follow Christ privately. Who we really are privately at home determines who we will be at church gatherings, despite outward appearances.
As Paul Washer has said: “Our Sunday morning services are so cosmetic. Just because there seems to be beautiful worship, and the sermon went well, and people seem to be moved, that is not evidence of real spirituality. I will tell you what evidence is: the home, the marriages, the families” (Ten Indictments Against the Modern Church).
In F. B. Meyer’s little book, Saved and Kept, he offers in the form of a prayer a believer’s “Dedication” written to encourage the reader to get real about his or her private relationship with God. Approaching God in this way and living it out practically in daily life will ultimately build us up in Christ, enriching our relationship with Him. We can then take that spiritual strength into our local assemblies where we will surely make a tangible difference.
So, to paraphrase Dr. Meyer:
I remember Your patience and loving kindness to me. I have so often failed and disappointed You instead of submitting to Your will. My only access to You is by Your most precious blood. From this moment, by Your unmerited favour, I give up the impure things that have stopped me being clean. I turn away from friendships that compromise my spiritual life. I reject those personal pleasures that cast a shadow on my hours of fellowship with You.
I know I must overcome the wrongdoing which so easily gets the better of me. I need to turn away from this vain world and the enemy who rules it with all his works. I can no longer endure the ways of the flesh and my wrong desires. I know you are able to keep me from stumbling.
Lord, I submit myself to You—spirit, soul, and body—to be filled and used by Your Holy Spirit. I truly desire to present myself to God as one alive from the dead, and my body as a tool of righteousness. In my inner life I desire to be pure. I can no longer neglect prayer and reading Your Word.
I want to start each day as a disciple should. Help me throughout every day to live to the glory of God, not as someone who merely wants to please and impress those around me, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord. Help me to remember that everything I own is yours—my money, my home, my possessions.
May the Holy Spirit make things clear. May He comfort and purify me. May He teach me to pray, opening the eyes of my heart that I may know You and the power of Your resurrection.
