LifeWords25/10/2010



AUTHENTIC CHURCH



Read Romans 12:16



16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior.



It is sad to think that some followers of Jesus don’t feel free to be themselves in the church community. Perhaps they feel more free to express their true selves on the internet, less chance of being jumped on or judged. Church can be a place where we feel we have to put our best foot forward, where we have to watch what we say lest we offer a poor witness.



This text suggests another model. We are all imperfect and if we think church is all about mingling with our 'equals' then we are mistaken. We can never imagine we are superior to others. We ought never to imagine that others are superior to us! These sorts of divisions and categories disrupt relationship. They prevent us from being our true selves because we are either wanting to defend our imagined spiritual superiority or fearing to express our imagined spiritual inferiority.



If our churches are not encouraging vulnerability and teaching that human weakness is our common lot in life, then relationships will be artificial and superficial. I will either be looking down on those who struggle or frantically hiding my own struggles. Church becomes unreal, a fantasy land where all is well or a fear-ridden place where problems are swept under the pews.



Jesus accepts us as we are and relates to us as we are. Neither superior or inferior. Just our real selves. Much loved and much in need of that love.



BlessingsDavid



http://www.hope1032.com.au