How many times have I seen these words? Pre-approved for a loan, a credit card, and so on. When I was younger, this kind of thing excited me. Now, however, anything with those words on it pretty much always goes directly into the trash. There is one context, however, in which I really want to hear those words:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
- 2 Timothy 2:15
With all that has happened over the last several years in my church, and the (post-)post-modern world in which we live, I am understanding (remembering?) more and more just how vital this is. (
And I am not alone.) Over the last several years, I have had to re-examine some basic, fundamental beliefs I have held for quite some time.
What do I really believe?
Why do I believe it?
Am I still living based on what a person told me many years ago (Hebrews 5:11-14)?
Why do I do what I do?
Could I, if I had to, defend these beliefs?
In terms of my "core" Christian beliefs, I am more solid than ever, especially since I have been able to see them tested for over 18 years! I refer more to my "church" beliefs. For, as I have learned, there can be a distinct difference between what the Bible teaches and what people teach, even if those people go to my church. (I would say this is why God calls us all to be like the
Bereans, something that can be easily forgotten.)
To illustrate what I'm talking about, let's talk about Acts 2:42. If you are a member of my church, you have heard this Scripture literally more times than you could count. One way it is used very often is to "teach" others that we need to be committed to church. But, is that actually what it's talking about? Let's
think for a minute, here. At the time, the tradition of "church" as we know it had not even been "invented" yet. Not to mention, if I'm going to "enforce" vs 42, I MUST do the exact same with vs 45, vs 46, Acts 4:32, and so on. Am I? (Are you?)
Quite simply, if I do just a little "Berean-esque" digging, I find that Luke is talking about way more than just church; he is talking about devotion to the overall community, or family, of believers. Church is just one means of fellowship; yet, how many times have I used this verse on myself or someone else to achieve commitment to church?
(Along these same lines, what about Hebrews 10:25? Same thing. If I use the brain God gave me, I have to admit that occasionally missing church and "giving up meeting together" are not synonymous! See also Colossians 2:20-23 and Galatians 3:1-5, and contrast with Colossians 3:1-3.)
Now, I am not saying that church is not important. As a matter of fact, minus sickness or my current eight weeks of night school, I'm at church. Every week. Twice a week. But
why do I go? It's simple: I need it. I need the fellowship. I benefit from the focused reminders of what is real, true, and good. And, though I generally have a hard time truly believing this, others need me as well. It is not because the Bible teaches that missing church inevitably means going to hell; it does not! Church is kind of like eating right and exercising: the outcomes (of attending vs. not attending) are not guaranteed, but boy the likelihood of certain outcomes sure is greatly influenced!
So what am I saying? I'm saying that I need to know whether I am a church drone, a modern-day Pharisee, or an approved workman. (And I am not alone.)
