My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
–James 2:1-4
Decades ago during the days of segregation, there was a church that took a staff vote and decided they weren’t going to allow people of different races to be baptized in the same water. So one minister who vehemently opposed the vote stood up and said, “Follow me outside.”
So the ministers of the church all got up and walked outside. As they stood in the parking lot, this particular pastor pointed up at the church sign and said, “We need to change this sign. We’re no longer a church, but a country club!” And he resigned his position that day.
While decades have passed and attitudes have changed, Christianity today is as cultured, comfortable, and air conditioned as ever. It’s easy come, easy go, take it or leave it. And so many people join churches like they’re joining country clubs rather than accepting the heavenly call of advancing God’s Kingdom.
The real church is not a country club, but a rescue mission. And those who go on rescue missions get dirty and even put themselves in danger for the sake of their mission. So remember that the church doesn’t exist to serve you. You exist to serve it!
DON’T FALL INTO THE LIE THAT THE CHURCH EXISTS TO MAKE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE. INSTEAD, SEE THE CHURCH AS BEING ON MISSION FOR GOD, WILLING TO SACRIFICE AND ENDURE HARDSHIP FOR THE KINGDOM!
