And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Acts 9:4-5 (ESV)
Saul (Paul) was on his merry way to persecute, jail, or kill Christians in Damascus. He was not content to limit the scope of his terror to Jerusalem. He presided over Stephen’s martyrdom, giving approval as the text says. He had zeal, but it was without knowledge. Saul pursued the church, in his zeal for righteousness as a law keeping Pharisee, thinking he was in fact accomplishing a great work for God. That is, until Jesus showed up. Jesus identified himself personally with the very church Saul was persecuting. Jesus confronted Saul and converted him. He would take this instrument of terror and use him for the furthering of His own glory in the church. Friends, He still does the very same thing today.
What is the Church Anyway?
In these modern times many are asking the question; what role does the Church play? Christians fear the loss of the Church’s prominence in society. The culture is shifting quickly away from biblical morals. (Though, I would suggest that recent events are but the fruit of seeds planted long ago–and now watered heavily). Is the Church now supposed to accomplish certain social justice activities? While good, that is not the mission of the Church. Is the church supposed to make everyone feel better? Be better people? Certainly not. The Gospel is not Prozac for the soul.
The Church exists because of God’s Word
No. The Church exists because of the Gospel. The church is the assembly of the redeemed. Sinners saved by grace, testifying to the glory of God in the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. The church exists to magnify Him, to testify to Him, to bring the glory due His name. Jesus so closely identifies with the Church that persecution of it is personal to Him. We are adopted in to His family, the body known as the church, and He is jealous for us. God’s word has created God’s people. We, brothers and sisters, are the Church, and we live to proclaim His glory to all the nations.
“But take heart; I have overcome the world.“
The United States, and the nations, are becoming increasingly hostile to the Gospel. The advance of gay marriage is hastening a showdown over religious liberty. It is possible that the country founded on moral principles, including religious liberty, will outlaw religious liberty. What will the Church’s response be? When the Saul’s of this day come to our doors persecuting brothers and sisters and hauling them off to jail, will we wilt? One thing is reasonably certain, the increased hostility to the Church will cause the exodus of “nominal” Christians. Those who claim Christ’s name but none of His truth will find the water a little too hot and leave through their former “country club’s” doors.
As they leave, let us remember our calling to go into all the nations, teaching them to be Jesus’ disciples, and baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We exist as a church to proclaim the Gospel. We are called to be faithful to God and His Word. This doesn’t mean we are called to success in the world’s eyes. We are not called to a heretical prosperity gospel. We are not called to comfort. We are not called to pragmatism. We are called to come and die. Die to self, die to sin, and live for God. We proclaim this news to all the world; that God is glorious and merciful. He is also holy and will judge sin. But Jesus Christ has made atonement for the sins of all who would trust in Him. This message, and the change that Christ has made in our hearts will make us peculiar. We should be a people set apart and different. Our pursuit of holiness and obedience to Christ should mark us as different from the culture. If you can’t tell the difference between you and the world, I urge you to examine your heart. Is there repentance and faith there?
This is the church. This is our calling. This is our mission.
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14
