Responding to the State of the American Church

As I look at the American Church these days, I see much ignorance of the ways of God. So many Christians just don't know God and His ways at all well. This bothers me for a few reasons. I need to admit that I react simply because there’s a voice in my head screaming, 'This is wrong!' But beyond that, I also see how this affects the lives of so many Christians. They are unable to live the kind of pious lives that Jesus calls for. 

That has two terrible consequences. Life is that much harder. It's not that Christians believe nothing because of their ignorance. No, rather, they believe so many lies about how to live. Many Christians suffer needlessly because of this. And that leads to the second, more important, consequence: God is not honored as He ought to be. So, to quote, 'It is because of you that the name of the Lord is blasphemed among the Gentiles.' With our mouths we pray, 'Hallowed be Thy name', but with our lives we accomplish the opposite.

What to do? In the past, I would fall into a dark mood. After all, things are so bad. But I have learned to rejoice in what Jesus is doing. He's conquering the world. I still think, however, about the many Christians who are struggling because of the failures of the Church. I've wondered how God deals with this. And that led me to consider Jesus. The Church of Jesus' day is an almost complete failure. (Sound familiar?) The people of God are like sheep without a shepherd. So, out of compassion, Jesus teaches them. The miracles are to encourage the people to listen to Him. Jesus is well received in Capernaum. He's making a dent in explaining life to them. Peter expects a long-term ministry there and wants Jesus to pick up where He left off the previous day. But Jesus says, 'No'. He is to move on even though there is yet much work to be done in Capernaum. And why? 'Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.' (Mark 1.38) Jesus does not stay because the Father has directed Him to move on. He was praying when Peter found Him that morning. Jesus submits to the will of the Father. But what about the people back in Capernaum, people who are so needy? I think that Jesus was letting the Father worry about them. He needs to obey the Father's will. 

I know that the Father is quite aware about the many who are struggling these days. What I am to do is to submit to His will. And right now, it appears that He wants me to read, pray, write and chat with folk. I need to fulfill His calling for me as I trust Him to know what He's doing elsewhere.

Originally written 12.2.19