I think it’s safe to come to the conclusion that the church is an incredible system designed by God, for God. With that, when did we start thinking that it was okay to start making it about personal preference? So many people in this world claim to be Jesus followers; they claim to “be about” the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord. As a result of that, we have about 2 billion representatives of what it may or may not mean to “follow” God. If you’re like me and you think too much about too much, then maybe you’ll agree with me on this. There are times that I wish we could all just get together and have one, mass, world-wide Christian meeting to just, you know, summarize everything up and establish an “okay, here’s what’s up” plan of exactly what the Christian life should and should not look like, universally. Instead, we have about 345,821 (that’s an exaggeration) concepts, suggestions, principles, steps and programs that are supposed to help us wrap our minds around what to do or how to act as Jesus followers, but let’s be real: they’re usually watered-down, cookie-cutter outlines of stuff that every Christian has heard 100 times. We approach this issue (and it is an issue) but then we find ourselves kind of avoiding it once we establish the question(s). We’re intimidated by it and as a result, we can over summarize it by saying, “Oh, it’s obviously about love.” Well. Okay. That’s great and it sounds pretty, but what does that mean? We have two very different but broad foundations to stand on here. Which is right? Are either of them?
Is it about not speeding? Is it about not drinking too much? Is it about not cussing? Do we go to church? What about Sunday night? Do I have to give an offering? How much? Am I required to open doors for old people? So, we help people? We’re just nice to them? I can do that. We just kind of close our eyes and hum and get along with everyone. Oh, and then we pray, of course, right? But how long do we pray? When is it acceptable to pray? Can I talk to God like that? Do I have to pray out loud? Can we fellowship in the church building? What’s an acceptable amount of time each day to read my bible? Do I have to read the Old Testament? After all, it is the Old Testament. What is Christianity again? Is this a Holy book? Can I highlight or write in it? Do I wear leggings? Is 2 inches above the knee too much? Should I listen to Christian music? Can I have a tattoo?
If you weren’t annoyed reading that, A) I’m surprised and B) you should be, because if you aren’t, contact me and I will continue that list of frequently asked questions until you are.
So. What does it look like? What is it supposed to be about? Can someone please, just condense this all into a “here’s how?”
Yes.
His name is Paul.
Check out 1 Timothy 6:11-21, will ya?
Here, we find him writing to his spiritual friend, Timothy. Earlier in this book we see Paul trying to convince Timothy to not fall into the temptation of the world and to not follow or be like the false teachers that were before him. All of these leaders were basically, (Lori Ann Version) using their authority to belittle and put down others, to make money, to serve their own self and to gain whatever temporary pleasure they could. In verse 11, Paul picks up by saying, “But as for you, O man of God…” So, in other words, Paul’s saying, “No way, don’t do that, don’t go that way. You are a man of God, you are a Christian – you are different than them. This is not who you are.”
“…Flee these things. Pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” (v. 11)
Following God is not about fame. It is not about fortune or making a name for yourself. It’s not about doing the cool or trendy thing. It is not about worldly acceptance or being comfortable. It’s not about having 1,000 followers on Twitter or Instagram. It’s not about a debate or a political preference.
It’s about pursuing.
This is what you, as a Christian, are going to have to “be about.” Righteousness. This should be the core of your existence. With righteousness, the latter part of the verse will inevitably follow – Godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. Godliness? Yeah, remain in awe of Who it is that gives you life. Faith? No doubt. Once you wrap your head around how huge God is, you’d be a fool to not put your trust in Him. Love? Serve people. Imitate and emanate Jesus. Steadfastness? Faithful. Consistent. Available. Always. Gentleness? Look people in the eye and say thank you. Be patient with the world and allow God to give you His eyes to see it through.
More than that, though:
“Fight the good fight of Faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (v. 12)
We have to fight. It’s a battle. It’s a race. We shouldn’t be dwelling on things that hold us back and limit us from reaching our true “Kingdom-work” potential. Maybe we’re asking the wrong questions, church. I don’t want to ignore or undermine the issues I mentioned previously, but I do want to run toward Jesus. I want to run toward Heaven. I can carry the weight of all of those unanswered questions, but is that really allowing me to pursue? To chase? I think we need to learn to live in a light of doing what we need to do to get intoHeaven, not necessarily what we need to be doing to stay out of hell. Life is a vapor. We don’t have time to let these things weigh us down in the way that they do. We know that life is temporary, it’s fleeting, and it will be over in a moment. What are you spending your time here doing?
The last “point” I want to make is pulled from verse 13 of 1 Timothy 6.
“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and to Jesus Christ, who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession..” (v.13)
Okay, so that’s verse 13 and you’re probably thinking, “Great, Lori Ann, where’s the rest of it?” My response would be, “You don’t really have to look much further than that.” To be fair, I, too, when I first read this, was slightly confused. Paul could have finished that sentence in a number of compelling or reassuring ways, but instead he refers to the scene with Jesus and Pontius Pilot… Weird. Why? Let’s look at that.
In Matthew 27:11 we read,
“Now Jesus stood before the governor and he asked Him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus replied, ‘You have said so.’ But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?’ But He gave them no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”
Wow. How beautiful is God? Not just when He speaks, but even when He doesn’t. This is such a huge thing for us to understand. Just because we follow this awesome Creator, doesn’t mean we have to have an opinion about every little thing that’s associated with Him. He does the talking – whether he uses words or not. We should not be a people who are quick to speak. Look at the ultimate example: even in the midst of accusations, in the midst of tireless questions and debate and being mocked, Jesus, Himself, said nothing. Nothing.
What we need to do is get a grip on Heaven. We have to seize Heaven. Talk about it, read about it and make it the reality that it is. It’s hard to be angry and bitter and upset about those small things when we’re so grateful, so focused on and so in love with who Jesus is.
Let’s all just learn to be like Him. Line yourself up with Scripture and know in your heart that God is so passionately pursuing you in every moment of every day. Run to Him. Maybe it’s not so much about finding the answers to questions, but more about pursuing the Answer himself.