The Fantasy of Church

Everyone has opinions about government run programs. Some enjoy the benefits of 'government' money (if there is such a thing) while others steam over somebody else taking their tax money (sometimes dishonestly). I'm not here to argue either side of the equation, I'm here to discuss a big 'What if...'.

What if the church took literally Matthew 25:34-40...would there even be that great of a need for welfare or many other government-aiding agencies? Here's an interesting scenario: Suppose a homeless person came to you in need of a shower and some food. We might point him to the nearest homeless shelter and maybe even offer to drive him there. That's what a good Christian would do, right?

That might be what we do, but I'm beginning to seriously doubt if that's what God wants us to do. Keith Green wrote an amazing song entitled 'Asleep in the Light'. One of the lines in it says this:

"...He brings people to your door and you turn them away, as you smile and say, "God bless you. Be at peace," and all heaven just weeps. 'Cause Jesus came to your door and you've left Him out on the street."

Have we forgotten how to serve? It seems a lot easier to let some corporation do what they're set up to do, but Jesus never told us to do the easist thing.

I'm convinced that a lot of Americans are on board with the whole 'christian idea' because it's convenient. Yeah, I said it. It's become so watered down that anyone can be a Christian. Anyone can say they 'believe'. After all, we're covered by grace, so why bother with all that other stuff that takes up our time and money? "God's gifted other people to help the needy, I just can't do that kind of stuff...."

Welcome to the fantasy of the modern church.

According to a Gallup Poll in 2008, 77% of Americans consider themselves to be of the Christian religion. That's down considerably from 91% in 1948, but it's still over 3/4 of the country. Call me crazy, but if three-fourths of our country's population were really Christians, would there even be poverty in the U.S.? It was interesting in seeing these statistics, that the article on Gallup's website stated this (among other things):

It is important to note that basic religious identification says little about the relevance of that identity to the person's life. Identifying with a religion doesn't indicate how actively the individual practices the religion. It doesn't indicate whether the person rigorously adheres to that religion's beliefs. It simply states that the person has some connection to and some identity with a specific type of religion.

Words don't mean a whole lot, especially in the times we live in now. Of course it's novel and romantic to think we can believe in the God of the Bible and do as we please and still reap the benefits of a relationship that requests so much more than lip service. But the reality of it is, it doesn't work quite like that. Thomas Fuller said it best: "He does not believe who does not live according to his belief." What we as Christians believe isn't supposed to be a pretty story or a novel idea, it's real. It requires us to act. It requires us to obey. It demands commitment. It bears fruit.

James chapter one tells us to 'be doers of the word, and not hearers only.' Our faith produces works. Works of love. All that we embark on must stem from love and not selfish motives.

"If love is the soul of Christian existence, it must be at the heart of every other Christian virtue. Thus, for example, justice without love is legalism; faith without love is ideology; hope without love is self-centeredness; forgiveness without love is self-abasement; fortitude without love is recklessness; generosity without love is extravagance; care without love is mere duty; fidelity without love is servitude. Every virtue is an expression of love. No virtue is really a virtue unless it is permeated, or informed, by love ."

--Fr. Richard P. McBrien