Yesterday I wandered around the big, beautiful sanctuary
that houses our congregation. It’s a place I love, where we ‘worship’ with joy
and practice parts of our faith. I felt such a sorrow, such a sense of loss as
I stood hearing echoes of ministry past. But, the church is not the Church, the
building just a house, not the core. Christianity is not the songs, the
sermons, the sanctuaries in which we gather.
Christianity is Christ JESUS in
me, in you. Events of the last few months have stripped away so many of the
functions of our faith, hasn’t it? Restrictions on gathering, fear that
prevent practice of our shared rituals, and diminished numbers in a
buildings – these are sad developments and will certainly have a long-term
effect on church life. Yet, my prayer is that this time will restore Christ to
the heart of our faith where He belongs.
These inspired words speak deeply to me. "What is
more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider
them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a
righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through
faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want
to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing
in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain
to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:8-11, NIV) In
that opening line, when Paul refers to ‘everything’ he is speaking of his
religious past. It was one full of beautiful ritual, the law of Moses, Temple
meetings, and study of the prophets’ words. It was a religion that demanded
much, that provided an identity to Paul, that was comforting in its
familiarity. Yet, he says that all that is ’rubbish’ compared to knowing JESUS!
Friend, let me ask you a question that I have been asking
myself.
Which do you love more - Jesus Christ or the “Christian
life?”
With weekly gatherings limited, children’s programs curtailed, the energy of a full church not available, are you feeling lost, dislocated, adrift?
With weekly gatherings limited, children’s programs curtailed, the energy of a full church not available, are you feeling lost, dislocated, adrift?
I confess that I miss those things and more very much, but
my hope in the Lord remains unshaken.
Christ is very much available to us, even in these chaotic
times. Nothing can cut us off from knowing Him, from the practices of
contemplative prayer, personal worship, and receiving the Scripture’s
wisdom. The heart of the Christian life is Christ, Who we know by the
work of the Holy Spirit. He is not resident only in building, known only in our
congregational gathering. Oh yes, there is no devaluing of ‘church’ in these
words. Christians are to gather as the Body of Christ, the mystery of His
Presence among them a powerful shared experience. The gifts of the Spirit
are given to the Church and when we do what He equips us to do – the whole Body
is built up. But, there are times, like now, when we are pressed to know Christ
personally, through faith, in the quiet corridors of our own heart.
Do you know Him as the anchor of your soul?
Or, is your faith and hope centered on Him or on a church, a pastor, a fellowship of Believers?
Or, is your faith and hope centered on Him or on a church, a pastor, a fellowship of Believers?
In my sanctuary wandering yesterday, He reminded me that He
is still Lord of all, that His kingdom cannot fail, that my destiny is secured
in Him, not my religion.
Today I return again to a passage I quoted a couple of days
ago. This powerful word from the Word comes from the final letter of
Paul. He was cut off from fellowship, unable to join the worshiping Church, in
a cell alone. No, he really wasn’t, because Christ Jesus was there with him, as
He is with us. Here is his declaration which I pray is ours, too.
God
"has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we
have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in
Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through
the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has
brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I
was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering
as I am.
Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am
convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that
day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith
and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to
you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy
1:9-14, NIV)
Re-center your faith in Christ. Reclaim the faith that
saves. Be born anew in the power of the Spirit.
And, in God’s time, the Church will emerge again; alive, the
beautiful bride of Christ, made up of those who know Him, love Him, and hold
onto faith.
_______
Only
Jesus
(a song that reminds us of Christ, the center)
(a song that reminds us of Christ, the center)
Make it count leave a mark
build a name for yourself
build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams
chase your heart above all else
chase your heart above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember
And I I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I I've only got one life to live
I'll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus
All the kingdoms built all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it's said and done
'Cause all that really matters
Did I live the truth to the ones I love
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember
I I don't want to leave a legacy
I don't care if they remember me
Only Jesus
Bernie Herms | Mark Hall | Matthew West © My Refuge Music
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