Rendezvous With God

(I first wrote this on February 5th, but my blogging client never put it in, because I had some settings wrong, it’s been a rough month, so I let my blog go by the wayside.)

First, I would ask for your prayers as I’m feeling very frustrated with God and life at this moment, there’s a lot swirling through my head, lots going on in my life, and hefty decisions need to be made.

There is a myth in the church these days. It has to do with the perception, or appearance of evil. What does the church really mean when this idea is tossed out? Where does this idea come from? Lets first say that the idea is not biblical. The King James Version of the bible says in 1 Thes. 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” which is vastly different from the NIV version which says, “Avoid every kind of evil.” A quick glance and the differences are clear. If you can see it…let me splain…no…let me sum up. To abstain from the appearance of evil gives the impression that you need be watchful over everything you do not to give the perception or impression that you aren’t sinning. The other…gives a clear understanding to stay away from those things that are sin or evil. I believe avoiding perceived guilt diminishes the power of the gospel and the potential of the church. For example, there are a couple of men who have made it their mission to bring the gospel to pornographers. They go were many men would not go to preach the gospel. This is their calling. Why do many avoid this mission field? There is the appearance that they are going there for selfish reasons guised a mission from God? Could this be the case? Maybe? But, I don’t know these men, and I’m certainly not the person they would be accountable to. The gospel is diminished by the appearance of evil. Also, the power of the church working according to the gospel need not hide behind those who risk their position or status in the church by fearing the appearance of evil.

5“If your brother sins gainst you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that very charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.18Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” – Matthew 18

In light of that scripture, isn’t it enough that if we do sin, a church working correctly and biblically would handle those who do sin. A church working correctly need not worry about the appearance of evil because there are always those who are accountable to others and those who knows their lives deeply. A church need worry about the appearance of evil because the sin of gossip would not permeate the people with speculation and innuendos. Those walking currently in the truth need not worry about the appearance of evil as they are so grounded in the teachings Jesus that they themselves know what is good, and those who know them will know their heart. The church would never again take a risk because to do so mean stepping out in faith against the man made rules of the church. To know Jesus is to know his heart. All things biblical are not black and white, and rote with questions and deliberations. Jesus asks us to work together as a community and not be held back for fear of being perceived to be evil.

(Written today) After milling over this subject for a month, I’ve also come to the realization that we as a church also bank on the “Appearance of Good”. Often making ourselves to look better then we really are. So, it’s deception on another level. We must strive to really be transparent as a church so the power of the gospel works. How can we be the hands of feet of Jesus without extending each other grace and accountability? How can we love each other as Jesus does if we keep a facade. God knows who we are, but does the church?