Expect a mess

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.  –1 Timothy 1:13-16 (NIV)

Churches are messy. Because I’m messy. You’re messy. Every person you’ve ever met, including the Christians you know, is messy. My grandfather once said, “I love Jesus, but sometimes I can’t stand His people!” I’m sure Jesus knows the feeling. We expect more from people who know Jesus, and rightfully so, but we are all a work in progress. There are no perfect churches because there are no perfect Christians.

When we come to Jesus, He saves us from our sin – we have forgiveness. “Even though I was once….” But the journey to holiness has only just begun at that point. His Spirit does His work in the members of the Body, but we have to keep showing up in order for Him to complete that work. We do that through the disciplines, those practices that place us squarely in the presence of God and encourage Christian maturity. The issues we witness within the church often reflect how well various members understand that process, how committed they are to it, and how long they have been at it.

Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters. Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.  –1 Corinthians 6:8-11 (NIV)

The Corinthian church, in particular, was home to many members with a colorful past. Though called out of those lifestyles, it is clear in the balance of the book that many were still fighting those battles. Their transformation was not instantaneous. Paul is not as explicit about Ephesus, but the fact that he sent Timothy to work directly with them tells you something. Yet Paul never considers them to be any less his brothers and sisters in Christ. He corrects, he calls for discipline where needed, but he does not abandon them.

Where does this leave us? We all have stuff – we’re all broken, in need of rescue, redemption, restoration. We’re wrong when we judge one another, both inside and outside the church. But we must discern sin when we hold it up alongside the scriptures, first in ourselves, next in the church, then in the world around us. We hold out the gospel of hope to the unsaved and call believers to fulfill their God-ordained mission as salt and light. We do these things as gracefully as we know how. We cannot afford to neglect our own spiritual condition, our own spiritual growth. We must be self-feeders when it comes to preparing for whatever assignments God is preparing for us. The last two years have left many confused, depressed, disillusioned, and fearful. We are not called to fear. Be brave. Be ready.

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.  –1 Timothy 1:17 (NIV)