“The church is not a country
club for saints but a hospital for sinners”
-
Can’t find source
When I read this quote, it cuts my
heart. It challenges my attitude towards
church and the way I treat myself and others.
Without thinking about it, I can go to church, take part in the rituals,
have a few conversations in mind that I need to have in fellowship…but no heart
for the hurting.
When I see church as a country club, I
close myself off from genuine conversations.
I’ll make the small talk, put on a smile, and leave lonely because I
shared my heart with no one.
When I see church as a country club, I can
play the social game where I have the easy conversations, and ignore situations
that seem messy, challenging, or uncomfortable.
When I see church as a country club, I
don’t extend myself to welcome, to listen, or to show compassion. It’s easy for me just to focus on my
situation, wishing for the compassion of others, yet failing to see how much
compassion those around me need.
But that’s not what the church is. We learned that we are part of one body.
Now you are the body of
Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:27
We each have a part in this body. We are each crucially important to each other. I need you.
You need me. We each have
talents, gifts, and insights that help each other grow closer to God. I have nothing to gain by putting on a smile,
but failing to share my heart. God has
put us in each others’ lives for a reason:
...to
equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built
up until we all reach unity in the faith and
in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole
measure of the fullness of Christ.
Eph 4:12-13
- What are some of the gifts that God has given you?
- How can you use these amazing gifts to help your brothers and sisters draw nearer to God?
- How can you contribute to making the church more of hospital for sinners than a country club for saints?
Kimberly Bonner
Geneva, Switzerland
2 comments:
amen :)
Thank you Kimberly. Very beautiful quote and very true indeed. It is easy to get used with each other sometimes because of knowing each other for many years but it is challenging to understand that it is not about the ones who are already saved but for the ones that are lost. Good questions to meditate on, to be humble and aware of how we are using God's gifts.
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