Once a Christian is finished being Christlike at their church service, do they not then strive to be Christlike the other 167 hours of the week?
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CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.
After church.
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The problem stems from a misunderstanding of "church". Church is not a building. Church is not a membership roll. Church is "ekklesia", the "called-out ones". It is the Body of Christ, and we each are individual members. Yes, there is a special anointing when Christians gather, and thank God for it, but when we leave the building, or the gathering if there is no building, we do not stop being the church. We are the church, wherever we are.
Or at least we're supposed to be. As I wrote to you in an earlier thread, in the West church membership has historically conferred social benefits. Even to this day, candidates for high office suddenly tend to get vocal about it. Thus at times it attracts people for the wrong reasons. But it is exactly the opposite in Communist and Muslim nations, where Christianity brings persecution rather than opens doors. And I do mean persecution. There, it takes sincere commitment be become a Christian, because the cost is so high. And while they have to take care to their walk among the unbelievers for wisdom's sake, they know that they have not stopped being Christians, and that at any moment they may be called into account for it. See the youtube series, The Cross in China, for a picture of what that looks like.
There is a lot of misunderstanding about the church, even among Christians, even among some here. Somehow the church became buildings, cathedrals, rituals and high church office, to say nothing about internecine warfare over doctrinal minutia. But it's all about "Christ in you, the hope of glory". The early church was big on the truth that "God does not dwell in houses made with hands". It's what got the first martyr, Stephen, killed. And when Jesus defined the church, He intentionally reduced it to the least possible plurality of "two or more gathered together in My name". We are the church, and that does not change when we leave the building.
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- Mar 22, 2011
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It was perfectly clear. We are strengthened by a good church service, but it gets harder when we leave and have to face the world. Some of us do better than others at it at times.
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oi_antz
Opposed to Untruth.
What would Jesus do if He was to sit in a church these days? Would He interject? Possibly, if necessary. Mostly though, I expect, that He would sit attentively, causing the preacher to be attentive to his representation of Christ, by ensuring the preacher is aware that he is representing Christ in the presence of Christ. This must be what a Christian is called to do too. Is this the culture of the churches and Christians that you have in mind?
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com7fy8
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Yes, we should be Christlike, all the time.
But, "of course", we will see ones who are not really Christlike > they may act nice and kind and friendly in church, but we see how they are mean and nasty and controlling at other times.
But it is important for us not to get distracted with noticing the hypocritical and immature people. Or else, we are not being the example they need. We can get tempted into self-righteously pointing at them . . . so we are not noticing the ones who are gentle and quiet and humble . . . the really Christlike ones.
The wrong ones might put on more of a show, might be more obvious; so we need to not judge a church by the showers and tellers, but be gentle and humble and quiet so we can connect and share with the really Christlike people
But, "of course", we will see ones who are not really Christlike > they may act nice and kind and friendly in church, but we see how they are mean and nasty and controlling at other times.
But it is important for us not to get distracted with noticing the hypocritical and immature people. Or else, we are not being the example they need. We can get tempted into self-righteously pointing at them . . . so we are not noticing the ones who are gentle and quiet and humble . . . the really Christlike ones.
The wrong ones might put on more of a show, might be more obvious; so we need to not judge a church by the showers and tellers, but be gentle and humble and quiet so we can connect and share with the really Christlike people
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